Women to Watch Awards Finalists-Education

Lauren Ann Cryan

Owner, Seabreeze Horse Connection

Describe your role.

“I teach a relationship-based, immersive learning practice. It is an empowering experience with horses in an emotionally expressive manner that can be therapeutic for both parties involved. These connections often lead to positive behavior changes at home, school, work, etc. In short, learning how to speak ‘horse’ helps to better connect with yourself and others. Horses are more likely to trust and respect individuals who exude confidence, patience, and kindness. When we understand the natural instincts of horses and know how approach horses with genuine respect and positive energy, we foster a safe and harmonious environment for both parties to learn from. I have worked with ‘students of the horse’ from ages five to seventy-five, including exceptional and neurotypical children and teenagers, military veterans, adults seeking confidence after a previous trauma with horses, people needing a place to destress, and those who are processing grief. I have witnessed that people with autism, in particular, have a gift in communicating with horses.”

What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?

“I was a pre-K-8th grade EC teaching assistant for two local charter schools. At the barn, I’ve hosted whole classrooms, Wounded Warriors Project, yoga with horses classes, and horsemanship sessions for any age who are drawn to self-realization through the art of working with horses. In our local horse community, I strongly believe in collaboration over competition. I work with Drift Yoga Club, Sea Horse Stables, Our Journey Stables, Intracoastal Equine Farm, and Wild Horse Ranch.”

What is an educational topic that you’re passionate about?

“I’m passionate about Carolyn Resnick’s liberty horsemanship educational method, which is groundwork without tack. Based on her seven decades of observed herd behaviors, working with horses at liberty is an experiment in honesty. Anyone can practice if they are willing to shift their body language and energy by honoring horses’ code of conduct. Building an authentic connection with horses oftentimes serves as a catalyst for beneficial transformations within yourself and with others. It is liberating.”

What’s a future goal?

“My short-term goals are to expand my horsemanship and yoga sessions to help more people release and renew with horses and nature in this ever-changing world. I will also be hosting customized mindful team-building horse retreats for parents, teachers, and other small groups. A future goal is to facilitate other healing and learning offerings with horses, such as massage, counseling, and recreational therapy. My lifelong goal is to be a forever student of the horse.”

Anything else you want us to know about you?

“I love hiking and kayaking with my dog, Waylon. I also enjoy snowboarding and playing the piano. I am the proud daughter of my dad, a retired Marine, and mom, an occupational therapist. In 2009, I embarked on a ten-month adventure, visiting eleven countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. My favorite experiences were volunteering with children, meeting horses, and learning that true connection is possible, even if you do not speak the same language.”

Michaela Howells

Associate Professor of Anthropology, UNCW

Describe your role.

“As an anthropologist, I am interested in understanding the connections between human culture and biology. This is especially important when looking at how pregnant people’s stress impacts their pregnancy outcomes and lives of their children. As the director of the UNCW GAPS (Growth Adaptation Pregnancy Stress) Lab, my students and I conduct research focusing on stress associated with racism, stigma, and natural disasters. I combine my teaching with applied research opportunities for students at the local, national, and international level.”

What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?

“I am proud to be an active member of the New Hanover County community. As an educator, researcher, and community member, I have served in multiple leadership and volunteer roles. These include the NHC NAACP, MedNorth, YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear, SEEDS of Healing, LGBTQIA Center of the Cape Fear Coast, and the Bellamy Mansion. As part of these collaborations, I have conducted research on the impact of Hurricane Florence on pregnant people, co-led donation drives and educational outreach to address menstrual health inequity, and have supported educational outreach associated with visiting portions of the AIDS Quilts.

What is an educational topic that you’re passionate about?

“A central tenant of my research and teaching is to recognize the value, humanity, and dignity of all people. Anthropology teaches us that diversity is healthy and important in communities, but stigma and deeply engrained social systems associated with racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism prevent people from reaching their full potential. I combine scientific, evidence-based educational materials with applied learning opportunities to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of these concepts and apply them to their communities.”

What’s a future goal?

“In collaboration with my community partners, I am working to address the disparities in pregnancy outcomes among Black individuals compared to non-Blacks. These differences are not caused by underlying biological differences between groups but by differences in exposure to toxic stress, barriers to health care, and other forms of systemic discrimination. We are building a coalition of community partners in New Hanover County to re-establish First Year Cape Fear, a support and information network for pregnant people in the Cape Fear Region.”

Maria D. Rodriquez

Community Spanish Interpreter Program Director, CFCC

Describe your role.

“In addition to teaching a full load of classes (six to ten) each semester, I am also responsible for recruiting and advising students and working in the community to build partnerships for internships. I work endlessly to create a learning environment that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and a focus on detail-oriented research in order to better prepare my students to be future interpreters. I bring real-world examples from my years of experience in the interpreting field.”

What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?

“I love being a part of my community. I volunteer as an interpreter with Christ Community Church, Red Cross, CFCC, and Latino Alliance. I think that serving as an interpreter has made a great impact in my community because I help people to communicate. In May, I was appointed to the NHC Hispanic/Latino Commission and now am the secretary. I hope to do great work with the commission. I am also the President of CATI.”

What is an educational topic that you’re passionate about?

“I am passionate about my students, teaching interpreting, and building networks. I understand the complexities of the Spanish language, its people, and culture and I share that with my students. I also know the importance of giving back to our community. I continue to work with my students, even after graduation, to help them obtain a medical certification. I started a scholarship for those that need help paying for their certification.”

What’s a future goal?

“A short-term goal is to raise funds to help DACA students because they have to pay out-of-state tuition. I feel that everyone should have access to an affordable quality education. I also want to continue to volunteer in the community and help build new relationships between nonprofit organizations and my students. We need to spread kindness, patience, and acceptance. I hope to lead by example. A long-term goal would be to obtain my federal certification.”

Anything else you want us to know about you?

“A teacher who is passionate about her work will thoroughly prepare by constantly learning about her field, continuously evolving her teaching skills, and will derive the utmost pleasure watching her students learn. It is my goal to provide them with the resources that they need and to instill in them a passion for the language in order for them to reach their true potential.”

Laura Rosser

Special Educator, New Hanover County Schools/Advisor & Schools Liaison, Unified Champion Schools/ Outreach Coordinator, Theatre for All

Describe your role.

“As a teacher of students with intellectual disabilities and autism, I team up with general educators, community agencies and organizations, families, and the students themselves to build an environment optimized for their learning and development. Growing self-advocates – students with disabilities – alongside advocates – students without disabilities – is the mission of my work with all community partners. Together, we are working to create an inclusive world, where we all grow and thrive with the support of each other.”

What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?

“I’m hopeful this is only the beginning:

• Building out inclusive school programming across NHCS in collaboration with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools–Students with/without disabilities are working together as leaders, teammates, and messengers for inclusion;
• Coordinating inclusive, adapted theater arts instruction for New Hanover County Schools students through leadership with Theatre for All;
• Collaborating with Thalian Association Community Theatre to adapt and bring live theater experiences, in a sensory-friendly environment, to NHCS, BCS, PCS students.”

What is an educational topic that you’re passionate about?

“It’s only when our young people, both with and without disabilities, see a disability as a natural part of the human condition, that we will no longer have the need to create specialized programming for inclusion. We must build systems and develop our youth to be that natural support in a class, on a sports team, and later in life, on the job and on the local pickleball court. Inclusion is where it’s at.”

What’s a future goal?

“I am working with two Unified youth leaders and former students, Special Olympics North Carolina, and NHCS to accomplish our goal of creating the first Unified District in North Carolina. This would mean that every school in NHCS would commit to creating an inclusive school culture where students with/without disabilities participate together, in leadership, team sports, and whole school/community engagement. It’s a big lift, but the future is now – and it is certainly inclusive.”

Anything else you want us to know about you?

“This year, I will begin a position with the New Hanover County Schools Transition Program for Young Adults, which is housed at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. We are working to bring Special Olympics Unified College Programs to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Being on a campus of almost 18,000 young adults will further our inclusive reach and build out incredible opportunities for students with/without disabilities.”

Alexia Shank

Associate Director of College Access, GLOW Academy

Describe your role.

“I have the pleasure of working on the College Bound team at GLOW Academy to support 6th-12th grade students preparing for life after high school graduation. We coordinate and execute at least one college trip for each grade level, support students and families as they plan and prepare for college, expose students to a wide range of career options, and provide support throughout the first year of college. We host early career awareness programming, financial aid seminars, and provide individualized support.”

What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?

“I collaborate with local businesses and organizations to implement early career awareness opportunities for students. Cape Fear CREW sponsors an after-school program for high school students. Monteith Construction, Live Oak Bank, nCino, and WECT support our GLOWorks programs to showcase their industries. The College Bound team hosts a campuswide annual event, Cool Women Hot Jobs, that has grown to over 100 volunteers representing over seventy-five industries and/or careers. Volunteers share their personal, academic, and professional experiences with our students.”

What is an educational topic that you’re passionate about?

“I am passionate about students having access to options and envisioning a future they are excited about. At GLOW, we support students and families in creating a ‘best-fit’ post-secondary plan. We discuss affordability, family constraints, interests, career paths, and more to empower students to make the best decisions for them. College Bound programming begins in 6th grade, and it is a privilege to watch them grow and mature as they work towards high school graduation.”

What’s a future goal?

“The Class of 2023 is our first cohort of GLOW Academy alumnae. Our College Bound programming continues to support our students throughout their first year of college. This includes emails with links to shared resources, virtual check-ins, in-person meetings, and alumnae events to connect them with current GLOW Academy students. Seventy-two percent of the Class of 2023 are first-generation college students. To ensure their success and fulfill all parts of our mission, it is vital to continue to offer access to higher education.”

Anything else you want us to know about you?

“I am a proud North Brunswick High School graduate, and I consider the Wilmington area my home. When I graduated from high school, I knew I would one day return to the community to give back all that was poured into me. I am a first-generation college graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and I know this accomplishment did not come without sacrifices, hard work, access to resources, and the continued support of my community. I want to offer a special shout-out to former teachers and coaches, colleagues, community partners, friends, and family, especially to my son, Koah, for always cheering me on!”

To view the Women to Watch Awards Finalists main page, click here.

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

To view more of photographer Summer Lambert’s work, go to summerlambertphoto.com.

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