NSHSS Claes Nobel Educators of the Year

Gina Burdeshaw is a Career and Technical Education teacher with nearly six years of experience, dedicated to preparing students for success in both college and the workforce. Before entering the classroom, she spent more than 25 years as a graphic designer and marketing advisor, including 18 years with Southeast Health Marketing and the Southeast Health Foundation, as well as eight years specializing in digital targeting, Google Ads, social media, and advertising analytics. She has also provided marketing consulting services for clients across medical, retail, and general service industries and is a small business owner of Hill Top Hats.

Since joining Dothan Tech, Gina has led her students to earn six Alabama SkillsUSA State Championship titles and has guided them to attend the National Leadership and Skills Conference twice. She brings real-world experience into her classroom by creating a simulated workplace environment where students are treated as team members, empowering them to understand their value, voice, and impact. She is passionate about equipping students with both technical skills and practical life skills—teaching them not only how to pursue a career, but how to secure and sustain meaningful employment.

Gina’s teaching philosophy has evolved from simply navigating the challenges of a new career to truly thriving alongside her students. She invests deeply in each student, celebrating their successes and guiding them through setbacks with encouragement and care. She believes in fostering confidence, resilience, and ambition, helping students recognize their potential and take meaningful steps toward their goals.

Outside the classroom, Gina is a proud mother of two sons and a daughter-in-law. She enjoys traveling and making memories with her family, especially spending time with her grandson, Riggs, who holds her whole heart.

Through her work, Gina strives to create a supportive and authentic classroom environment where students feel seen, heard, and inspired to dream big. Her ultimate goal is to prepare students not just for their next step, but for a lifetime of growth, opportunity, and success.

Dr. Henry earned his Bachelor of Science (Secondary Education - English Teaching), Master of Science (Education) from Indiana State University, and EdD. from Trevecca Nazarene University (Education Leadership). Additionally, he earned technical certifications from Southwest TN Community College (Information Technology) and the University of Miami (Human Subject Research). He is the founder/program officer for AdviseCCR, which provides free career counseling/registrar services to home/micro-schools and underserved rural youth.

Dr. Henry accepted the Virtual Learning Success Coach role as a licensed educator with Arizona State University Prep Digital (Teachers License - AZ - 6921787). He joined the KIPP Forward Memphis team in July 2019 as KTC Advisor, taught the Senior Seminar Course, and was promoted to Match Lead in 2021. During his tenure, 100% of his graduates were eligible for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, accepted into 1 or more postsecondary options, and 100% submitted a complete/verified FAFSA. Before KIPP, Dr. Henry's experience included leadership roles with campus and K-12 organizations. While at TCAT Memphis, he managed the Department of Student Services. His division oversaw the following departments: university admissions, direct-student career counseling, disability services, program marketing, veterans support, student registration, disciplinary/appeal process, retention, and new student orientation. His prior experience includes a tenure with Minneapolis Public Schools as Executive Director (Department of College & Career Readiness); managing a portfolio of state/federal programs, 100+ personnel, 16 direct reports, and overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget. Under his leadership, CCR programming enhancements increased the district graduation rate by 8.4%, secured additional grant funding, and created 34 additional community partners.

For 9 years, Dr. Henry was the college admissions coordinator for Ben Davis High School (the largest HS in Indiana). He created career/college access programming, managed academic records, and assisted the student services department in increasing the HS graduation rate (63% to 92%) and sustained college recruitment pipelines, and drafted/received numerous mini-grant funds for student programming. Ben Davis HS graduates averaged $14 million in scholarships annually. Dr. Henry has also held positions in university recruitment, campus diversity, as a part-time campus instructor, and in the social services non-profit sector.

Terry was appointed to 2 White House education appointments (MN Reach Higher & US Department of Education - My Brother's Keeper Initiative) and has served on multiple regional/national advisory committees. Dr. Henry is requested to give conference presentations; the content focus includes service-learning, family engagement, equity, fundraising, cultural competencies, and university student retention. Terry is an active youth ministry volunteer leader with Brown Baptist Church (MS). Dr. Henry enjoys experiencing nature, leading international student travel, and spending time with his fellow educator wife (Mrs. Steyven Henry) and his two daughters.

Ms. Jutia Merriweather stands out as a dynamic and accomplished educational leader, currently making a significant impact as the Director of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) at Georgia Cyber Academy. With nearly two decades of dedicated service, she exemplifies a strong commitment to enhancing career-focused education, promoting innovative practices, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

Beginning her career in pharmacy in 2006, Ms. Merriweather transitioned to vocational and postsecondary education in 2010. Throughout her journey, she has held various influential positions, including Teacher, Program Manager, Program Director, and Interim Dean at postsecondary institutions. Her influence reaches far beyond the classroom; she has contributed to prestigious publications from leading organizations such as Cengage and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), further establishing her authority in both educational and industry landscapes.

Before her current role, Ms. Merriweather was a Lead Healthcare Science Teacher in one of Georgia’s largest school districts, where she expertly supported and managed over 30 educators within the healthcare science pathway. Her leadership and pedagogical skills have left a lasting legacy on CTAE programming statewide, with many of her developed curriculum resources still in use today by educators.

A respected figure in the Career and Technical Education community, Ms. Merriweather is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Career Tech Education (ACTE), Georgia ACTE, the Healthcare Science Technology Educators Association (HSTEA), and the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC). She has received various accolades, such as the Healthcare Science Technology Educators Association Teacher of the Year Award, along with nominations for Postsecondary Educator of the Year and CTAE Administrator of the Year. In 2025, she completed the ACTE Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity (IAED) Mentorship Program and presented at the national ACTE conference on “Bias in the Hiring Process,” affirming her dedication to equity in education and workforce development.

From 2017 to 2024, Ms. Merriweather significantly impacted numerous boards and committees, including serving as Chair of the Governance Board’s Financial Committee and on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, as well as the Atlanta Technical College Pharmacy Technology Advisory Committee. She takes immense pride in her tenure as President of HSTEA, Inc., where her visionary leadership fostered increased membership, heightened conference engagement, and strengthened organizational stability. Her exceptional ability to forge partnerships and engage industry stakeholders has substantially enhanced the organization's influence across the state.

Ms. Merriweather possesses advanced degrees in Management and Curriculum & Instruction and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education, which fortifies her commitment to research-based leadership and systemic innovation. Her leadership and contributions have garnered national recognition, including being featured on the cover of iFLOW Magazine in 2025 and receiving distinction in Who’s Who in America. Her expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, instructional leadership, program development, and partnership cultivation uniquely positions her as a transformative force, ensuring the excellence of CTAE programs while aligning with the standards of the Georgia Department of Education.

Importantly, Ms. Merriweather cherishes her role as a devoted mother. She actively champions her daughter’s educational journey and contributes to her community as a PTSA executive board member, embodying her belief that strong educational systems are built around engaged families and active communities.

Through her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to equity, and passion for student success, Ms. Merriweather continues to redefine the landscape of Career and Technical Education, empowering the next generation of learners to excel in an ever-evolving global workforce.

Noel Pauller has been a dedicated educator for the past 26 years and holds a Master’s Degree in Science Education. He currently serves as a Biology teacher for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, where he specializes in using phenomena-based storylines to boost student engagement and academic performance. By anchoring his curriculum in real-world observations, he fosters a classroom environment that prioritizes curiosity and evidence-based inquiry. Throughout his career, he has focused on creating innovative learning experiences that bridge the gap between complex scientific theory and student discovery. He is passionate about empowering his students to take ownership of their learning, helping them develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success both in and out of the laboratory. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his family and pets. He is also an avid fan of the outdoors and creative pursuits, devoting his free time to hiking, writing, and traveling.

Robert A. Kaufman earned his undergraduate degree from Brown, his Master's from Dartmouth, his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, and served as a Fulbright Scholar in Norway. He has organized seven TEDxPaceAcademy events, which he sees as a living scrapbook to honor his grandparents, Rose Lubin Dreiseszun and Abraham Dreiseszun: may their memory forever be a blessing.

Dr. Riya Nathrani is an instructional technology leader with the CNMI Public School System, supporting educators and students across the Northern Mariana Islands in strengthening digital learning and expanding equitable access to technology. She holds a Doctorate in Education in Digital Transformation and leads professional development on digital tools and artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning.
Rooted in the community that raised her, Dr. Nathrani is dedicated to expanding opportunities through education. She designs and leads initiatives that equip high school educators to integrate technology in culturally responsive ways and teach artificial intelligence, digital media, and STEM to prepare students for college and careers. She also provides hands-on instruction to students in cybersecurity, responsible AI use, media literacy, and digital design. Through distance learning programs, she has supported over 10,000 students, expanding access to advanced coursework across remote islands while using data and feedback to continuously improve implementation and outcomes.

In 2022, Dr. Nathrani represented the CNMI at the White House as State Teacher of the Year. She has received national recognition as a GenerationAI Luminary, Anthology Catalyst Award recipient, ISTE 20 to Watch honoree, and Asian Pacific American Ignite Awardee.

Erin Cleveland is a veteran public school teacher with over 20 years of experience in Helena, MT. She knows that democracy begins in our public schools, and because of this, she fights daily for adequate funding. She knows that ALL students deserve a creative, outstanding education regardless of their demographics. Erin has taught high school literature for many years, creating innovative experiences for her students to deepen their humanity through unique classes like senior Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Peer Mentoring. She is a firm believer in helping empower and inspire our youth to be true humanitarians through service and community involvement, which is why she has been the sponsor for clubs like the National Honors Society and Niceness is Priceless Club. She has also taken on numerous leadership roles like Department Coordinator for ELA at one of the high schools where she helped spearhead curriculum alignment efforts. Currently, she has taken on a new role as a Title 1 Transitions Learning Lab teacher where she works with students who are at-risk to support them in their academics as well as their social/emotional health and wellbeing. She is married to a band geek and has two wildly independent daughters. Erin loves being surrounded by the beauty of nature in Montana where she and her family can explore and unwind.

Shantaniqua S. Watkins is a distinguished science educator and leader at Hancock Central High School in Sparta, Georgia, where she also serves as the Head Softball Coach, STEM Club Advisor, and Debate Club Advisor. A proud alumna of Hancock Central, Shantaniqua holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Fort Valley State University and her Master of Education in Secondary Science at Columbus State University.
Her commitment to excellence in the classroom has earned her significant recognition, including being named the 2026 Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) Teacher of Promise and a Top 10 Finalist for the 2026 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year award.
Shantaniqua brings a unique, multidisciplinary perspective to her Physical Science and Human Anatomy & Physiology courses, drawing from her professional background as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Registered Behavior Technician. This clinical experience allows her to provide students with real-world applications of medical terminology and physiological concepts. Beyond the classroom, she facilitates the Morehouse HERO program, mentoring the next generation of healthcare and STEM professionals. She is honored to receive this NSHSS Grant, which will help her continue to provide innovative, hands-on learning experiences for her students.

Serving over 30 years in education, Dr. Thompson serves as the College Counselor at Westfield High School in the Spring Independent School District. She considers it an honor to empower students to reach their goals while believing that they can achieve when they believe. Dr. Thompson guides students to be successful in their college readiness journey throughout their high school years. Serving approximately 2,000 students, Dr. Thompson continues to demonstrate her passion and expertise with each student to complete college applications, scholarship and FAFSA/TASFA applications, and serves as the campus' dual credit enrollment counselor, provides community service involvement and testing required for college acceptances.

Dr. Thompson is a proud graduate of the Bryan Independent School District. She has received a Ph.D. in Divinity from the Institute of Theology and Christian Counseling and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling, and a Principalship certification from Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Thompson also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University. She is a published author in The Journal of Alliance of Black School Educators, Founder of Sisters 4 Sisters Ministry and the online-platform of Let’s Talk About It Bible Study.