August 27, 2018
For the past 17 years, Heidi Vosekas has been critical in the ongoing success of SRI. She held things together during our transition into an independent nonprofit and has been a steady support to help us grow and continue to serve educators throughout the country. It is a testament to Heidi’s strength and dedication that SRI has developed a strong enough foundation that will allow her to transition into a new role. Please see the note below from Heidi, sharing her decision to move on to the next part of her journey.
Dear SRI Friends,
It is with great excitement (mixed with a tinge of fear!) that I write to you today. After 9 years with School Reform Initiative, 17 years including our former organization, I’ve decided to move on and offer my resignation. The stars have aligned in just the right way and I am yielding the internal call to seek something new.
It feels like the right time to usher in a new stage of SRI. I have given all that I can to this wonderful organization and I am excited to see what comes next for SRI (I will be a life-long affiliate!). I have learned so much that has helped make me a better citizen, a better mother. Because of my time with SRI, my feet are firmly planted in my beliefs about education and equity and this is a huge part of who I am today. I am deeply inspired by each of you.
One of my dear SRI friends wrote this to me when I shared my news with him ahead of sharing it with the whole community, he said, “you can be proud of how your good work not only resonates throughout SRI but also through all the schools, teachers and kids that we work with.” This is everything to me. It has been an honor and a privilege to work for an organization whose mission and people embody such heart and soul.
SRI will not only survive but thrive through this shift. I know this because I’ve seen it continue to happen year after year. From our humble beginning – operating out of the living room of my 800 square foot house with a governance structure born out of sheer passion – to our current reality with 4 fabulous employees, a well-defined organizational structure and a growing base of fiercely committed educators.
While I will carry with me a special moment, a really funny story, or a profound learning experience I’ve shared with so many of you, I want to give a special shout out to those of you who have served in the role as my boss since I started in 2001. Daniel Baron, Gene Thompson-Grove, Debbi Laidley, Steven Strull – Thank you. Thank you for including me, for trusting me, for teaching me. To Frances Hensley and Kari Thierer (here’s where I start crying) never will I know two greater leaders. SRI would not be here if it wasn’t for both of you. I would not be here if it wasn’t for both of you! You’ve bestowed such wisdom and integrity onto this organization. The generosity and love you’ve shown me feels like family. I can’t find the words to adequately express my gratitude to each of you.
My last day with SRI will be August 31st. Feel free to be in touch – heidivosekas@gmail.com.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all,
Heidi Vosekas
Heidi will be joining us at Fall Meeting in San Antonio, this time as a guest, so we can honor her and share our appreciation with her for the way she has helped SRI grow and become a sustainable organization. She has also generously offered to provide support as needed during this transition.
As part of Heidi’s transition conversation, she shared that managing the scholarship fund for the past 8 years has been one of her most favorite responsibilities with SRI. Heidi shared “I knew Faith Dunne and Nancy Mohr. They were some of the smartest and coolest women I had ever met. Giving money to educators so that they may participate in our work has been a great feeling and I hope it carries on for many years to come.” If you are interested in celebrating Heidi and recognizing her many years of service to SRI, please consider a donation to the SRI Dunne/Mohr Scholarship Fund in Heidi’s name, and help us continue to support educators and celebrate Heidi at the same time!
Please take a few minutes today to share your appreciation with Heidi – she will be missed!
Kari Thierer
SRI Executive Director
On Behalf of School Reform Initiative
WOW—I got tears when I read that you were moving on with a new chapter, Heidi. Thank you for taking such good care of all of us through all our transitions over the years. I admire your grace.
Peggy silva