Natalie Torti

Leader in Educational Innovation

My leadership journey is deeply rooted in my passion for authentic education, social justice,
and environmental stewardship. Even as a child growing up in the woods of a small West
Virginian coal-camp town; I saw the world as interconnected, empathized with those closest to
and furthest from my own experience, and dreamed of a day I would make a change that would
resonate through the hollows and ripple outward. As I grew, I found mentors who pushed me to
ask: Where can I make the greatest impact? and Where is my skill set of most service to the
world? I found the answer in education, but knew I wanted to challenge the status quo, create
solutions, and extend my reach outside of my classroom.
I found my home in innovative education and began seeking professional development
beyond the realms of my classroom and content. In 10 years along with securing my Masters of
Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from West Virginia University and my Principals
Certification from Gannon University, I was also trained by Earth Force, graduated from the two-
year Green and Healthy Schools Academy and the two-year CORO Women In Leadership
Academy. I received the honor of the Benedum Summer Teachers Fellowship at Eden Hall
School for Sustainability. I have received numerous local grants to provide resources and
opportunities to my students. I also presented at conferences, including Pennsylvania Council
for Social Studies and the National Green Schools Expo and Conference, on using authentic
education and sustainability.
Through this journey I have discovered, developed, and proven my leadership qualities. As
much as I am a big-picture innovator, I also thrive in finding pragmatic solutions to achieve
those lofty dreams. I work best in environments that are fast-paced and allow for change when
change serves the students. I build strong relationships through trust and center the students
in my actions and decisions. I work well in a team environment and believe that leadership best
when it is a linear structure of equals who work and act as experts in the area of their strength.
The hierarchical organization structure of top down thinking is not how I run my classroom,
nor will be it be how I lead an organization.
As I transition out of a classroom role, my goal is to remain connected to the students. I hope
to build a community where learning, being engaged and empowered, and caring about one
another are equally valued. I hope to build an organization that values diversity and sees the
potential of each individual as an unique investment opportunity worth taking the time and
resources to nurture. Above all, I hope to innovation education in a way that resonates back
through the mountains and into those hollows and reaches every dreamy-eyed kid hoping for
change.