Partner Spotlight: Danna Thomas
Founder of Happy Teacher Revolution & Featured Guest for the “Classroom Chaos to Creative Freedom” Webinar
I want to share the story of an educator whose journey from the classroom to global entrepreneurship is a masterclass in turning personal struggle into a systemic solution.
Before she was a founder, Danna Thomas spent seven years as a kindergarten teacher in Baltimore City. She was a dedicated educator who saw firsthand the “vicarious trauma” that comes with the job of supporting students through poverty, loss, and housing instability. While she loved her students, she eventually reached a breaking point, realizing she was working within a system that demanded everything from teachers without providing an “oxygen mask” for the educators themselves.
The seed for her current work was actually planted twice. First, when she was a teenager and her own teachers acted as mental health first responders for her; and again, years later, when she realized that the “village” supporting her students was itself on the brink of collapse. This realization prompted Danna to innovate. What began as a small, grassroots support group in her school eventually grew into Happy Teacher Revolution, a best-selling book and global professional development network that helps educators “heal, deal, and be real” about the emotional demands of the profession.
In following Danna’s journey from teacher to CEO, the number one lesson I’ve taken away is her belief that self-care is not a luxury; it is a professional necessity. She is directly challenging the “martyrdom culture” in education – the pervasive idea that you must burn yourself out to be considered “good” – and proving that prioritizing your own wholeness is the only way to sustain a long-term impact.
Right now, Danna is focused on a new level of growth: mastering the balance between heart-centered service and a sustainable business model. She is bridge-building between the roles of educator and entrepreneur, ensuring her mission has the structural support it needs to thrive worldwide without sacrificing her own well-being.
I am thrilled to have Danna join me as a guest for our upcoming webinar, From Classroom Chaos to Creative Freedom. We’ll be walking participants through hands-on personal development designed to unlock your creative ideas so you can finally take action on them.
Innovation isn’t your escape plan. It’s your reclamation project.
Join us on January 22nd!
