Million Dollar Teacher Project
Meet Our Team
Our Staff
Sam Shammah
Donor Engagement
Sam Shammah is a community-driven strategist with over a decade of experience in nonprofit partnerships, corporate engagement, and event planning. He has led initiatives that strengthen donor relationships, expand community outreach, and drive participation through innovative engagement strategies. As the founder of Akwai, Sam has collaborated with business, civic, and nonprofit leaders—including mayors, congressmen, and college presidents—to design high-impact wellness and philanthropic programs. His background also includes operations leadership in human services and long-standing volunteer work supporting fundraisers and community events across Arizona. Sam blends entrepreneurial problem-solving with a passion for social impact, consistently building partnerships that elevate mission-driven organizations.
What’s a favorite quote, mantra, or saying that guides you? I can sleep when I’m dead
Klarissa Parker
Program Director
Klarissa Parker is a detail-driven administrative professional dedicated to advancing educational equity and strengthening community-centered initiatives. As the Executive Assistant at the Million Dollar Teacher Project, she supports organizational operations and program coordination, helping move forward MDTP’s mission to elevate the teaching profession.
Rooted in leadership and service, Klarissa brings a rich blend of academic excellence and community engagement. She is a scholar at Arizona State University and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, NCNW, Changemaker Central, and the Nina Scholars Program. Her work with TRIO further strengthened her commitment to supporting educational access and empowering underrepresented communities.
Klarissa is passionate about storytelling, cultural understanding, and uplifting histories that often go unseen. She approaches her work with empathy, intention, and an unwavering belief in the power of individualized recognition to transform communities. Her organizational strength, collaborative approach, and deep commitment to service ensure that teachers and school communities receive meaningful, mission-driven support.
If you could teach anything for a day, what would it be and why?
I would teach about cultural erasure and the hidden histories that shape our world.
Kashuna Hopkins
Operations & Committee Development
Which three words best describe your personality or your vibe?
Organized. Loyal, Funny (I think I am LOL)
What’s a favorite quote, mantra, or saying that guides you?
Soham, which means I am.
If you could grant every teacher one magical resource, what would it be and why?
The ability to articulate their contribution to society
Michelle
Events Coordinator
If you could teach anything for a day, what would it be and why?
I would teach the power of self-awareness and love. When everything is said and done, people will not look at the things that they had or even the things that they knew to measure the beauty of their life. The most important thing is always the quality. When you have self-awareness and love, Quality is always the top priority, even in the most simple things.
If you could grant every teacher one magical resource, what would it be and why?
A lifetime contract of true financial access and freedom, with the understanding that their time and energy must make a true impact, and they must show that they are doing what they love. This way, give teachers access to financial resources in their private life so that they can live and create the life that they want while doing what they love. I believe if you remove the financial stress of the teachers I know, their level of creativity and involvement in the classroom and with their students would increase tenfold.
Lorne
Grants
Bio coming soon!
Karen Oliver
Marketing
If you could teach anything for a day, what would it be and why? Plant propagation, fun way to help our earth
If you could grant every teacher one magical resource, what would it be and why? Unlimited patience (for teachers sanity and a child’s safe place)
What’s one small act of kindness you believe can change a school culture? Pay it forward concept (compliments are a small way to make someone’s day, even if it’s simple. Like, I love your shoes today!) Now that person has to pick another student/teacher and say something nice to them that day, if it hits even just 3 people in each classroom that can make a big impact in one day!
