Virgil Sheppard Joins the NMC Board of Trustees

We are pleased to announce that Virgil Sheppard has joined the NativityMiguel Coalition as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Virgil is the President of Hope Partnership for Education (Philadelphia, PA), bringing over 15 years of professional experience in education and nonprofit leadership to our board.

In reflecting on his new role, Virgil shared, "The work being done in the schools within the NativityMiguel Coalition is inspiring. It is thoughtful, joy-filled, and most of all, impactful. I am excited to serve on the board of such an innovative organization."

We look forward to Virgil’s leadership and contributions as we continue advancing our mission of supporting member schools and making a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Washington School for Girls President Beth Reaves Publishes Her First Book: "In My Garden"

After pouring my heart and soul into this book, I’m thrilled to introduce "In My Garden," a story that has been a true labor of love for me. Gardening has always been one of my favorite pastimes, and writing this book has allowed me to combine my passion for children’s literature and nature with my desire to share meaningful lessons about patience, strength, and gratitude with young readers.

I started writing this children’s book as an outside of work passion-project during the pandemic.  I loved turning my attention regularly to challenge myself to take on something new and different.  While I’ve read children’s books my whole life and currently serve as a school leader, I’ve never authored a book for kids. I remember thinking at the time, truly - how hard could this be?  (Laughing to myself now!)

Bit by bit I learned about the writing and book publishing process.  I worked with an illustrator located in the Ukraine when the war first started and page by page she beautifully illustrated my words.  I’ve become familiar with a wide range of publishing alternatives and formats.  At times it felt like despite everything I did, it was just one small step in a project that truly only mattered to me.  While we talk all the time about helping our students embrace growth experiences in life, it is entirely different for us as adults.  Perseverance, patience and a willingness to admit what you don’t know are among the biggest lessons I have learned through my author journey.  I’m proud to share this journey with our students and any interested adults who ask.  Hard work leads to the biggest feelings of personal joy for me.

It’s my hope that In My Garden will inspire children (and adults!) to see the magic in nature and perhaps even start their own garden.  The story follows young Jaki as she embarks on an adventure with her grandmother, discovering the beauty and magic of springtime gardening. Together, they explore the unique meanings of each flower, and Jaki learns how her garden can be a reflection of herself.

Lina Permut Joins the NMC Board of Trustees

We are thrilled to introduce Lina Permut, one of two new members of the NativityMiguel Coalition Board of Trustees. Lina currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at The Washington School for Girls in Washington, DC and brings a wealth of experience in development and fundraising within international, national, and local nonprofit organizations.

Lina is enthusiastic about the new role, saying, "I am thrilled to join the NativityMiguel Coalition Board of Trustees. Their mission of advancing the impact of their member schools is incredibly impactful, and I look forward to contributing my time, talents, and treasure to support their important work. As a board member, I'm excited to lend my expertise and passion for helping further the Coalition's efforts to advance the narrative of our collective impact on education worldwide, building stronger connections throughout our member schools, and expanding our knowledge and efforts to be rooted in DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice)."

We look forward to Lina's contributions and leadership as we continue strengthening the outcomes of our member schools. Her dedication to supporting NMC's initiatives is a perfect match for our mission and vision, and we are excited to see the impact of her contributions.