​​​​Dawn Oler, NBCT

As a thirty-two year educator who has been an administrator for twenty of those years, I have collaborated with, observed, and evaluated scores of impressive educators. A few have risen to the top. These are individuals who are truly phenomenal in every regard. They exude an enthusiasm for their content that grows in strength as they gain experience over the years. Creativity flows from them as they travel on a never-ending quest to develop the most impactful lessons and the richest, authentic assessments.  Students know these are the teachers who expect the most of them, the ones who match their level of demand with the unwavering patience, support, and devotion young people require if they are to flourish... They live by their values and can be trusted to follow through on every promise and commitment. Such people are inspirational to those whose lives they touch. As role models, mentors, and facilitators of growth in others, they wear the title “teacher” with immense pride, for they understand what a magnificent opportunity it is to be in the position of helping others reach their potential. Ms. Dawn Oler is one of these remarkable teachers.

Assistant Superintendent for Academics

Ms. Oler, however, blew us out of the water. We realized we would leave at the end of the semester not only with incredible field experience, but also with a comprehensive overview of the field of education as a whole. Throughout all of the field assignments, Ms. Oler scaffolded her instruction to best support us as growing educators. Though we all loved our field placements, we eagerly looked forward to the one day a week we had with Ms. Oler, during which we delved deeply into the field of education. Over the course of the semester, our minds became just as stuffed as our teaching binders.  Ms. Oler’s passion for teaching and her students had rubbed off on us. We wanted to be the Ms. Olers of the future.

We both currently attend Vanderbilt University where we are students of the special education and elementary education departments at Peabody College of Education and Human Development. As we are well into our junior year, we have taken many other education courses and participated in school placements -- none of them have intrigued us, engaged us, or made us as passionate as Ms. Oler’s Invitation to Teach class did. Recently, we tried to convince Ms. Oler to come teach at Vanderbilt because we think that everyone who wants to go into education needs Ms. Oler as a teacher to help them grow in knowledge and passion for the career.

Invitation to Teach Graduates

Dawn is consistently working on the various disciplines she teaches.  Where some educators keep the same curriculum they are comfortable with, Dawn thinks outside the box to not only challenge her students but at the same time challenging herself.   Every time she tries a new lesson or assignment she is constantly reflecting on the impact it had on her students and if her objectives were met.

Family and Consumer Sciences Educator

Dawn Oler is a role model in every sense of the word. She runs her classroom with high expectations and creates an environment that encourages excellence. In all regards, she is extremely professional and organized. She holds her students accountable for their work, attendance, and attitude. Each and every lesson and project is creative, structured, and clearly saturated in real world application. 

She is incredibly intuitive and cares deeply for the students that she guides. She molds each one with grace and honesty. As a teacher, she is a true pleasure to work with. She is approachable and inspires me to be my very best.   

2nd Grade Educator, Invitation to Teach Mentor