North Park Elementary School is pleased to announce Mary Wells, Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Team Leader, as the recipient of a 2026 LEAPP (Leaders Exploring a Professional Passion) Enrichment Grant.

Mary's proposal, Oxbridge Teacher Seminar: Why History Matters, will take her to Cambridge University in England for a week-long professional learning experience alongside social studies educators from around the world.

Through this international seminar, Mary will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow educators, exchange teaching practices, and explore the importance of history and current events in today's social, political, and economic climate. She will return with new perspectives, concepts, and instructional approaches to consider integrating into the NPES middle school social studies experience.

The experience reflects the purpose of LEAPP: encouraging educators to pursue meaningful learning beyond traditional workshops and conferences, explore new ideas, and bring fresh perspectives back to their classrooms. Whether through cultural immersion, international study, research travel, or specialized training, LEAPP supports faculty and staff in following their professional passions while enriching the student experience.

Investing in Educators, Inspiring Students

Launched in December 2025, LEAPP was established to recognize and support educators who think expansively about their professional growth, embrace curiosity, and seek opportunities to deepen their practice. The program reflects NPES's belief that investing in educators directly benefits students.

Mary joins the program's inaugural recipients, Anna Nardulli, Preschool–2nd Grade Art Teacher, and FrankO Mansilla, 4th–8th Grade Spanish Language & Cultures Teacher. Anna's experience exploring the Reggio Emilia approach in Italy focused on strengthening play-based instruction and art integration, while FrankO's cultural immersion experience in Mexico explored opportunities to enrich language learning and cultural understanding across grade levels.

Together, these experiences demonstrate the range of opportunities LEAPP makes possible and the many ways educators can bring new knowledge and inspiration into their work with students.

A Community Investment in Growth

LEAPP is made possible through the generosity of NPES families and the pioneering leadership of the Class of 2025, whose legacy gift helped establish the program. Their investment reflects a shared commitment to supporting educators and creating meaningful opportunities for continued learning and innovation.

We are also grateful to the 2026 LEAPP Committee for its thoughtful review and support of faculty and staff proposals.

At NPES, we believe that exceptional teaching is strengthened by curiosity, exploration, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Through LEAPP, we are proud to support our educators as they pursue new possibilities and bring those experiences back to our classrooms, our students, and our community.

Congratulations, Mary!