Hello and thank you for taking a second to read a bit about me! My name is Casey Ulrich, and I serve as the Induction Coordinator for Saint Paul Public Schools. I was a math teacher for over ten years working in Saint Paul, San Francisco, and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
My Core Values
My core values are personal growth, community, and making a difference. I am a curious learner that loves to learn more about other people, policies, and ways to build strong communities where all people can thrive.
Personal Growth – This blog exists because when I began as a teacher, Dan Meyer – yes, I’ve been a fan boy for a long time now – shared in his own blog that he grew three times as fast as a teacher simply by being reflective, creating a blog, and sharing it with others – to get feedback and gather other perspectives. I’ve gained so much from throwing out half-polished ideas and being open to real time feedback – from students, peers, and leaders.
I’ve chased those opportunities to learn and grow while balancing the need to stay humble, engage with community and ensure my learning and growth is connected to an impact that leaves a lasting difference.
Community – Community drives the way create a learning environment but also the way I show up for students, friends, and neighbors. I seek to create spaces where all voices feel heard and all people feel like they belong. It shows up in my professional work leading adults and it shows up in my local work volunteering on the Highland District Council, collaborating with SPFE, or volunteering to door knock, organize materials, or show up for political candidates have a shared belief in empowering communities.
Making a difference – This core value has helped shape the speed at which I approach problems as well as advancement of my own career. To me, making a difference is not about a one-time feel-good effort, but a lasting impact that can reverberate across generations. I work from a place that understands change takes time and that when leaders know themselves more deeply, they have the ability to show up authentically, build community, and be confident in both their decisions and the criticism that inevitably comes.
As a white male with most of the privileged identity markers you can name, I recognize that I must be in community with voices that are traditionally marginalized. I have unique access to certain spaces and can be heard when others may not. My intentions to make a difference are both (1) to lift up leaders and voices traditionally forgotten but also (2) to use my voice when others may fear to use theirs; to recognize that I must carry the same cross as my neighbors rather than hide in the shadows while injustice persists.