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Never Stop Learning

Never Stop Learning
Carla Postell (Ed.D ’11, Educational Leadership) is one of eleven educators chosen for the Gerstacker Fellowship through Saginaw Valley State University. The year-long program provides concentrated leadership training and a capstone international trip to Japan.

“When you as the educator show the drive and passion you have for learning, you can't help but to encourage the masses,” Postell says.

Postell is the Director of Curriculum Integration & Instruction for Hazel Park Schools. In her role, she is mainly responsible for curriculum offerings in the school district, the selection of instructional materials, the quality of instruction, and professional staff development.

“I also have other responsibilities outside of the curriculum development and implementation arena,” Postell said in an email. “Like many teachers/educators, this role wears many hats.”

As an undergraduate student, Postell wanted to become a child psychologist, but after working with an after school program as a counselor and peer advisor at a local community center her love for teaching began to grow. After completing her undergraduate degree and obtaining a Master’s degree in education from University of Michigan, Postell entered the Educational Leadership doctoral program at WMU. Now, she’ll begin her work with the Gerstacker Fellowship to further her pursuit to make an impact in the educational community.

“I applied for this fellowship for a few reasons,” Postell explained. “A former supervisor thought that I would be a great candidate for the fellowship, and I was very interested in being provided the opportunity to network and learn with other leaders across the state of Michigan. I consider myself a life-long learner. I love to learn.”

Postell’s advice to current students or recent graduates is to never stop learning.

“Education is the one thing that can never be taken away from you,” she said. “No matter what a person may say or do to you, they can't take away what you know. That is why education is so important to me.”

Lisa Williams (B.A. ’98, Secondary Education; M.A. ’04, Educational Leadership) was also recently selected to participate in the Gerstacker Fellowship Program. Click here to read her story. 

Read more about the Gerstacker Fellowship here