Anna’s interview inspired this series - Work in Progress.
When you ask Anna Voth why she’s stayed in education for over 25 years, her answer isn’t about test scores, standards, or administrative titles. It’s about belonging.
“Belonging is foundational,” she says. “If you don’t feel like you belong, you can’t live the life you were meant to live” .
That conviction has shaped Anna’s journey from classroom teacher to coach, from administrator to life coach in training, and now, to Thinkering Fellow. Her project centers on building tools, guides, and reflections to help students and educators feel seen, safe, supported, and heard.
A Career Built on Connection
Anna’s path has touched nearly every corner of education: classroom teaching, curriculum design, coaching, and professional development. Along the way, she found her deepest joy not in reorganizing standards, but in working with people—helping teachers grow, supporting students, and being a visible, trusted presence in schools .
Her stories are full of moments that seem small but reverberate for a lifetime. Like the day she paused over a second grader’s math work and told her, “Wow, you have an amazing mind.” The child’s reply—“No one has ever said that to me before”—broke Anna’s heart and reminded her why those two-minute conversations matter .
Belonging as a Foundation
Anna has lived both sides of belonging. As a child, she was bullied and often left out at school. As an adult, she has seen her students sitting alone in cafeterias or playgrounds, feeling invisible. Those experiences convinced her that a sense of belonging isn’t optional—it’s essential.
“If you don’t feel like you belong, you cannot go forth in your life,” she insists .
That belief drives her current work. Anna is developing a guide—whether a book, pamphlet, or digital platform—that blends stories, analogies (like her “chocolate chip cookie” metaphor for surrounding yourself with positive people), and practical strategies for managing dysregulation and building supportive relationships .
Leadership, Mentorship, and Mental Health
Anna knows leadership shapes culture. As an assistant principal one summer, she made it her mission to visit every classroom daily. That practice led to a powerful connection with a struggling eighth grader who felt invisible. Simply telling him, “It matters to me that you’re here,” transformed his attendance—and his mother later thanked Anna through tears .
Her fellowship journey has also reignited her fire for education. With the support of mentors like Laurie Guyon, she pivoted her capstone from a math enrichment project to a focus on mental health and belonging. “I realized I needed to do something that filled my bucket,” she says .
A Work in Progress
Anna’s story is one of resilience, reflection, and quiet determination. She’s endured personal struggles, including times when she relied on food banks to support her family. But those challenges, she says, shaped the mentor, coach, and bridge-builder she has become .
Her vision is clear: to create environments where every student, educator, and stakeholder feels seen, safe, supported, and heard.
“We have one life. If you have a dream, go for it,” Anna urges. “Life is too short to live in misery. Find your people, build your ship, and sail—even if it falls apart, build it again.”
Join the Movement
Anna Voth’s work reminds us that innovation in education doesn’t always start with new technology or policy shifts. Sometimes, it starts with noticing a child, saying the words they need to hear, and building from there.
This is what Thinkering is all about—real people, bold projects, human stories.
If you’re ready to bring your own dream project to life, join the Thinkering Fellowship today and be empowered to build what matters.
