Genét Simone

Genét Simone has won numerous awards for her outstanding debut book, "Teaching in the Dark" -- a memoir that chronicles her first year as a teacher in the Arctic village of Shishmaref, Alaska. Dr. Simone's experiences in that Inuit village heavily impacted her teaching philosophy and pedagogy. For ever 20 years, she served as a faculty member and program director in Teacher Education in Minnesota, Colorado, and Washington State. Dr. Simone currently teaches high school in Seattle, and still relies on the lessons she learned in Shishmaref those many years ago.

Dr. Simone is developing a "Teaching in the Dark Workbook" to accompany her memoir. The workbook provides a variety of reflective prompts and activities that will help new and aspiring teachers prepare for one of the most demanding professions in the world. Teacher education programs rarely include the "inner journey" of teachers, which is a vital landscape to explore in order to stay sane and resilient. She is also working on a handbook for teachers who feel like they need to retire early due to burn-out or mental and emotional exhaustion. Yet, in their heart, they are not ready to leave the profession they love. How can teachers who feel pressed to quit regain a sense of empowerment? Dr. Simone's mission is to provide resources, coaching, and workshops to uplift and inspire teachers to sustain their spirit and, ultimately, create reforms that make schools more responsive to the needs of children and teachers around the world.