A VISIONS Legacy: From Montana to the Next Generation

When & where did you work with VISIONS?

I attended the Flathead Indian Reservation program of Montana in 1993.

What made you want to do a program?

I chose Visions because I was fascinated by cultures different from my own and wanted to learn about others with a curious group of peers. I also was interested in contributing and volunteering my time for the benefit of others.

Tell us about your VISIONS experience.

Visions was an experience different from anything I had ever done before. Being surrounded by the beauty of Montana, learning firsthand about the Confederated Salish and Kootneai people, engaging in challenging but rewarding work and working within a tight knit community taught me so much about myself and others. I remember these experiences fondly and continue to be impacted by this unique experience. I was so excited to introduce my daughter, Juliet, to Visions when she attended the Peru program in the Summer of 2025. We both learned lessons that will last a lifetime.

What was the service like and how did it resonate with you?

We engaged in many meaningful service projects from bushwacking the trails in the Mission Mountains to volunteering at the local preschool to reroofing a local building to demolishing an old building on the shores of Flathead Lake. We also learned about the tribal government, which was eye opening and informative.

Tell us about your favorite excursion or activity outside of work.

Favorite excursions included rock climbing and hiking through Glacier National Park, attending a local Pow Wow and engaging in a spiritual experience at a sweat lodge.

How did the experience impact your life goals or path?

I was deeply impacted by the focus on community and how the investment in the smaller community helped to impact how we approached our work in the larger context. I remember how we contributed within the group from meal duty to Circle time when we bonded over shared experiences. 

I met people different from those in my hometown who opened my eyes and pushed me to be a better person. I went on to study psychology and sociology in college. My experience at Visions informed how I thought about community building and further invested me in engaging in a profession that kept me connected to community and served to improve the lives of others.

What are you up to these days?

After college, I went on to pursue graduate work in social work and special education. I received a master’s in special education and social work and doctorate in public schools and school district leadership.

Over my career, I started a charter school in the South Bronx, NY, led a school focused on global citizenship in Chicago, and led special education departments in New York City and Chicago. I currently serve as the Director of Special Education in Yonkers Public Schools, which is the 3rd largest district in NY State.

I am deeply committed to educational equity, cultural responsive practices and ensuring the best education experience regardless of socioeconomic status, ability or language proficiency.

Have you volunteered lately? If so, how?

Yes. I have tried to instill a value of volunteerism and service in my family. My children and I have volunteered to serve individuals with food insecurity and others in need. As previously mentioned, I was excited to introduce my daughter to Visions so she could learn the power of volunteerism and contributing to others.

Amy’s daughter, Juliet, in Peru 2025

What does the word community mean to you?

Visions taught me the importance of focusing on your immediate community in order to serve the larger community. For that reason, I strive to develop and invest in my local community to create connections and investment in those in my immediate circle. Investing in the larger community means creating an environment where all can thrive and meet their potential.

What is something that makes you hopeful for the future?

I am hopeful by the next generation of youth who are inspired to make a difference in the lives of others by learning about their customs and traditions and working to remove barriers to their success.

What do you feel is one of your greatest strengths that you have to offer the world?

One of my strengths is my ability to make connections across differences and forge strong and meaningful relationships.

In what ways, big or small, would you like to change the world?

I am invested in education because it opens doors for all. One way I would like to change the world is by ensuring all children receive a high quality education that is differentiated based on their individual needs.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered as a kind and caring individual who built bridges amongst communities and created strong educational opportunities for vulnerable children that provided them access to opportunities otherwise not available.

What influenced your decision to help your daughter attend the program in Peru?

My own experience as a Visions alum influenced my decision. I wanted my daughter to experience the satisfaction of contributing to a community in need, the excitement of visiting an unfamiliar location to become fully immersed in the community by learning about customs and rituals and making new friends, and the power of community and the feeling of being part of something larger than herself.

What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?

In 10 years I hope to be making a larger impact within my community by positively influencing the education experience of children and families.

What would you like to say to other members of the VISIONS community? 

Thank you for the impact you have had on my life. You taught me the power of community and the importance of investing locally and beyond. You pushed me beyond my boundaries by introducing me to new experiences and unique challenges. You have stayed with me decades later and I will always remember our time together fondly and enthusiastically.