We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Jewel Thompson

I earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma with an emphasis in Professional Writing. My core professor, Mel Odom, was an incredible teacher and mentor throughout my time in the program. Mel was tough and firm yet understanding and flexible. Read more>>

Inka Nisinbaum

I went to school in Germany, where I was born and raised. I was in 11th grade when my German teacher advised me not to take German as my advanced class, but rather a different subject. To his opinion my German writing, and my understanding of classic German literacy wasn’t good enough for an advanced class. Read more>>

Leah Feuer

From ages 2-9 I went to a Montessori school. Instead of rows of desks, my classroom had rows of child-height shelves filled with “materials” designed to help kids learn through play. Each day I’d go and pick a material I wanted to work with, play with it until I was done, put it back, and then pick something else to do. Read more>>