Pi Lambda Theta Membership Showcase Program

November 2025 – Dr. Patricia Williams

Dr. Patricia Williams is a lifelong educator and leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education. She holds a BAT in English and Political Science, an MA in English at Sam Houston State University, and a Doctorate in English Education from the University of Houston. Dr. Williams is Professor Emerita at Sam Houston State University, where she also serves as the current PDK Chapter President. She is the Immediate Past President of the PDK Houston Area Chapter and a former Chair of the English Department at Klein High School, where she led a team of 29 teachers. A dedicated member of the Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) and Educators Rising communities, Dr. Williams is a former President and Board Chair of PDK International. When she was International Board President, she had the immense pleasure of speaking at the PLT initiation ceremony in the Philippines and at various universities. She has also contributed as a judge and presenter at nearly every Educators Rising National Conference. She continues to support future educators and professional growth through her work with PDK, Educators Rising, and Kappan magazine. 

August 2025 – Gwen Mdinaradze

Gwen Mdinaradze is a leadership and learning strategist whose work bridges research, practice, and impact. As a scholar-practitioner and global community builder, she focuses on advancing leadership development, organizational culture, and psychological safety.

She is the Chief Executive Officer of Speakers Alliance Canada, an international consulting and training firm that partners with Fortune 500 companies and Canada’s top organizations to design and deliver data-driven learning and leadership programs. With a team of 85 consultants, trainers, and speakers, she helps organizations accelerate growth, strengthen leadership pipelines, and embed cultures of innovation, resilience, and collaboration.

Gwen is pursuing her doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Learning at the University of Pennsylvania. She also completed graduate studies at Harvard University, earning both a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behaviour. Her research focuses on leadership development, group cohesion, psychological safety, positive organizational culture, and adult learning—integrating evidence-based insights with enterprise strategy to advance organizational performance.

June 2025 – Barbara Pearl

Barbara Pearl is one of our premier Pi Lambda Theta Chapter Presidents, serving at La Salle University. An award-winning educator, author, and storyteller, she is known for using origami to teach mathematics in creative and engaging ways. She holds master’s degrees in Education from La Salle University and Mathematics from Widener University.

As the creator of Math in Motion, Barbara integrates origami into math lessons to boost student engagement and align with Common Core State Standards. She has presented nationally and internationally, offering professional development and family workshops, and her work has been featured on national television and in Creative Classroom magazine.

Barbara is currently partnering with Stanford University, where her origami-based strategies are highlighted as resources for current educators. She also volunteers with the Durham Rescue Mission, Good Samaritan Inn, and local animal rescues. Her work continues to inspire educators and students through innovative teaching that nurtures hearts and educates minds through the lens of origami.

For more information or to get in contact with Barbara, please send a request to plt@pdkintl.org.

How to Submit

We are excited to announce that institutions can now select standout members as part of our Membership Showcase for the prestigious Pi Lambda Theta honor society. This initiative recognizes and celebrates the dedication and achievements of our exceptional members. Selected students will be featured on our website and social media, inspiring others in the education community.

Instructions

Faculty, please submit a list of up to eight students you would like to highlight as particularly outstanding. These exceptional students’ achievements will be featured on our website and social media platforms. Once we receive your list, we will contact your students within five business days. They will then be asked to complete a questionnaire and will be notified when their accomplishments are uploaded to our platforms.

We invite faculty to nominate students who are deserving as recognition as education scholars. This is a great way to recognize students for their academic achievements and promise as future educators. To nominate one or more students, use the 2-part form below.

If you have any questions about the Member Showcase program, please contact us at 800-766-1156 or pilambdatheta@pdkintl.org.