Zoe Parkinson
Zoe Parkinson, M.Ed., is an accomplished educator and curriculum innovator with over 15 years of experience transforming classrooms through project-based learning. Currently teaching High School English Language Arts in Washington, D.C., Zoe blends creativity, rigor, and relevance to help students see their learning as a bridge to the real world. Her education journey began unexpectedly while tutoring; a church member’s recommendation opened the door to her first teaching position. That single opportunity sparked a lifelong passion for empowering students to find their voice and purpose. Before stepping into the classroom, Zoe explored a career in law, working on Capitol Hill alongside U.S. senators and NGOs. But it was in education, not politics, where she found her true calling: shaping systems that nurture curiosity, equity, and student agency. Zoe’s impact extends beyond the classroom. She has served as Head of Humanities, Education Director, and Interim Director at schools in America and China. Across these roles, she has led curriculum redesigns, launched interdisciplinary programs, and built partnerships that connect academic learning with authentic community engagement. Her teaching philosophy is simple but powerful: meet students where they are, inspire them to think critically, and create learning experiences that matter. From projects that solve local challenges to presentations that showcase mastery beyond tests and essays, Zoe’s classrooms hum with creativity and purpose. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Arizona (expected 2028), Zoe builds on her Master’s in International Education from the University of Leicester. She also holds certifications in TEFL- Teaching English as a Foreign Language, CLASS- Classroom Assessment Scoring System, and CPR, AED, and First Aid for all age groups. Zoe’s mornings start before the sun, with coffee, music, and a mind already spinning with ideas for her students. She thrives on creating classrooms where curiosity rules and every project feels like an adventure in learning.
• CPR, AED, and First Aid for Children, Infants, and Adults
• Language Assessment
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Professional Development Certificate: Curriculum Design
• University of Leicester - MA, International Education
• University of Maryland Baltimore County - BA, Political Science and Government
• Senior teacher award
• Team collaboration award
• Staff-voted workplace award
• Certificate of Achievement
• Diaspora African Women Network
• Virtual Tutoring
• Volunteer at Church
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building and maintaining strong connections with students and their families, and to designing curricula that help students create meaningful outcomes and truly understand their learning. Those relationships and authentic learning moments are what fuel my passion and drive me to keep innovating as an educator.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I can’t point to a single piece of career advice that shaped everything for me, but over time I’ve learned to guide myself. I stay rooted in my values, faith, integrity, and empathy, and make choices that reflect who I want to be. The challenges I’ve faced have pushed me to be more resilient and creative, and those lessons show up every day in how I support my students and build relationships. They’ve helped me grow in my work and in my life, one step at a time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t shrink yourself just to fit whatever box is in front of you. If it doesn’t fit, reshape it, remix it, or slap your own label on it. Bring your full self, your ideas, your questions, your weird sparks of curiosity, into every room. Stick close to people who look for solutions instead of complaining. Take the bold step even when it feels uncomfortable, because real growth usually starts right where comfort ends.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education right now is how much pressure we put on standardized tests and one‑size‑fits‑all teaching. Too often, students end up memorizing just enough to pass instead of really understanding what they’re learning, and pacing guides can matter more than whether a student is actually growing.
But that same pressure also opens the door for teachers to get creative. Project‑based learning, personalized instruction, and interdisciplinary work give students a chance to apply what they know in real, meaningful ways. And when educators build strong professional networks or earn recognition for their work, it doesn’t just boost their confidence, it expands their impact. It gives them the momentum to launch new programs, lead bigger initiatives, or even build schools that put deep learning ahead of test scores.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in my work and in my life are faith, integrity, empathy, and a commitment to growth. My faith shapes the way I handle challenges and relationships, reminding me to lead with purpose, patience, and compassion. I try to listen deeply, understand people’s experiences, and support them in ways that truly matter. In education, that means creating classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and capable of reaching their full potential. In my personal life, it means building meaningful relationships, staying curious, and continuing to learn so I can grow and help the communities around me grow too.