Educator Spotlight — Jacqueline Greer

Name: Jacqueline Greer

Current Role: Executive Director, DC -Urban Teachers

Length in Current Role: 3.5 years

Favorite thing about what I get to do everyday: I get to visit classrooms across the city and really take the student vantage point. It’s amazing to see what’s in our classrooms. I also get to advise and empower teachers – what’s better than that?

Spirit Animal: I think my spirit animal, right now, is my dog Harper. She’s a fighter, very strong, and incredibly loving. She was a stray, then endured trauma, but still has a lot of love in her heart.

What’s your superpower: Every day is a new challenge. I think that I’m able to really understand talent systems -and push thinking- in a new way.

Best lesson learned from a mentor or someone I admire: I’ve learned that you have to be authentic. As a leader, it’s ok to be honest, to be authentic, and to connect with your team directly.

What I do to make lemonade out of lemons on my toughest days: I try to tell a joke…or remember a memory. Last year, I fell out of my chair onto the floor..slowly…in front of my team. I simply yelled “ta da” and got back up. They didn’t even know, we had a good laugh, and kept rolling.

What education equity means to me: That every student in a low-income neighborhood goes to – and completes college (and beyond) – at the same rate of students in high-income neighborhoods.

My favorite thing to do to relax and rejuvenate: I enjoy walking my dog. Even when I don’t feel like it, it helps me get my mind off of the day and reflect on the simple things. I also enjoy spending time with friends.

The practices/habits that help keep me grounded and maintain perspective when I’m feeling stressed, overworked, or unmotivated are:This is tough. I think you have to know when to stop. I won’t email on Saturdays. It’s my DAY. I want to have some time to reflect and generate new ideas.

Who I turn to for advice or guidance when I need career direction: My personal cabinet. I have good friends across sectors (politics, education, business), and I reach out to them when I’m mulling a difficult issue.

The advice I’d give to someone trying to find their career sweet spot:Figure out what you LOVE to do. In your best career moment, what were you doing? That is what you should do everyday.

Learn more about Jacqueline’s work at www.urbanteachers.org and connect with her at jacqueline.greer@gmail.com.