Rachel has been a friend to the Catalyst team for over twenty years, implementing Catalyst ApproachTM strategies as a classroom teacher and then as a mentor, coach, and professional development coordinator. Rachel made the big step to officially join the Catalyst Team in 2019, moving from her home in Oregon and relocating in Minnesota. The expertise Rachel brings to the team includes over 25 years of classroom experience, with the majority of her teaching career spent working with students learning English as an additional language. Her passion and enthusiasm for making school a positive and equitable experience for all learners was the highest value she had as a classroom teacher and shines through now as a trainer and as a coach/ mentor. Her favorite part about being in the Midwest is the deep respect Minnesotans have for family and community and the heartfelt way everyone welcomes and cares for under-represented populations.