Mari Needham is currently an Assistant Principal at Clifford J. Lawrence Junior High School. Her hometown is Dededo, Guam, “Where America’s Day Begins.” She is an avid reader, knitter, and snowboarder. As a professional educator, with over 16 years of experience, she has served as an elementary teacher, learning strategist, and instructional coach before taking the leap into becoming an administrator. She is enthusiastic about her role as an administrator. Her favorite parts of the working day include creating focused professional development, advancing reading instruction through active student engagement, and creating an inclusive, equitable learning environment for her students and staff through social-emotional learning.