The Classroom That Rolls to You: Sharon Samelson Massiatte’s vision for accessible and heart-driven education
Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of truly getting to know Sharon Samelson Massiatte. She isn’t just the visionary founder of Mobile Education Center for All (MECA), she’s become family. Through Lincoln, our lives have intertwined in ways that make me grateful every single day. Sharon is my “bonus son’s” mom, and over time, I’ve come to admire her not only for the incredible work she does, but for the way she gets me, and what we both believe this world needs more of.
Sharon’s dedication to children is unparalleled. With a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and nearly a decade of teaching experience across general and special education, she has lived her mission from every angle. Her work extends far beyond the classroom — coaching Special Olympics athletes, stepping into the role of school mascots to bring joy, and earning the title Educator of the Year (2022–2023) for her tireless commitment.
What moves me most, though, is the story behind her strength. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a Vietnam War refugee, Sharon embodies resilience, empathy, and compassion born from lived experience. These roots shape everything she does, from founding MECA to creating opportunities for children who might otherwise be overlooked. Beyond her professional life, Sharon is a devoted wife and mother in a blended family, nurturing stability and love at home with the same dedication she brings to her work. She knows firsthand the power of being seen, understood, and supported.
Sharon is more than an educator, more than a leader, she is a force of light, showing all of us what it truly means to show up for others.
The Heart of MECA: Sharon on Education, Advocacy, and Impact
1. Looking back at your own childhood, what’s a gap you wish had been closed for you and how does that show up in your nonprofit’s mission today?
I did not learn how to speak English until I was about 6 or 7. My mother and her family are from Vietnam, so that was organically my first language. I remember being in first grade, struggling to communicate my thoughts with my peers, and being heavily made fun of for something that was natural to me. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't speak another word in school until I learned English, and worse, I vowed never to speak Vietnamese again. I do not have any recollection of a single teacher sticking up for me or telling me it was okay to be bilingual, or that it was okay to be different and unique. I wish I had any educator advocate for being an ELL student, along with encouragement to remain true to who I was. Now that I am in that position, I want to give that to students who may be feeling that they are alone or that no one is in their corner. Empowering students to find a way to unlock their full potential by giving them the simplest things I know how to give — support, encouragement, love — is the building block of what I do every day.
2. If Lincoln were to write your job description, what do you think he’d say you actually do every day?
I honestly don't know what Lincoln would describe my job as! The first thing I hear him saying is, “My mom has a nonprofit where she takes her bus that's a classroom and helps tutor kids that don't get to go to school.” My son is bright and matter-of-fact; he may surprise me if we actually ask him to write my job description!
3. Since starting your nonprofit, what’s a “gap” in the world you now see differently than you did before?
To be honest, I initially went into education because I was a single mother needing to be on the same schedule as my son, as I could not afford childcare during summers. I had always wanted to work with children, but I never realized that teaching would be how my stars aligned. It took me no time to fall in love with the profession, and even less time to know how much my students meant to me. Through the last decade of teaching, I have learned that there are so many gaps in the educational system, but if we are talking about gaps in the world…children are too often overlooked, forgotten, and thought of as expendable — in all aspects of life. It can be fixed — as adults, we can fix that.
4. Imagine Lincoln at 25, looking back at both of us, what do you hope he says about how we closed gaps in his life?
All I have ever wanted for Lincoln is stability, happiness, success, and so much love. I want him to look back and truly feel that we were able to give that to him as individual parents and as a whole. I want him to recognize that we were able to give him the tools that lead him to a fulfilling life.
5. Sometimes the smallest details matter most. What’s one overlooked part of your work that you believe will create the biggest long-term impact?
I think one of the most overlooked parts of what we do at MECA is just the little ways we build trust with families. It doesn’t sound big — like taking the time to ask a student about their favorite hobby before we dive into a lesson, or making sure we show up consistently where they are — but those details add up. For kids who’ve missed a lot of school, feeling seen and supported can make the difference between shutting down and actually re-engaging with learning. Over time, that trust is what helps them build confidence and eventually get back on track. So while it might look small from the outside, I think it’s what will create the biggest ripple effect long-term.
The Journey Continues
Hearing Sharon share her story, you can’t help but feel the depth of her purpose. Her journey reminds us that the gaps we notice most often come from the ones we once lived through and that helping others bridge those gaps is one of the most powerful legacies we can leave behind.
Sharon’s work with MECA doesn’t just meet children where they are; it builds bridges toward who they’re meant to become. Watching her pour her heart into this mission, one that so deeply mirrors my own beliefs about equity, compassion, and the potential within every child, has been nothing short of inspiring. What Sharon has started through MECA is more than a movement; it’s a seed of change already taking root.
Sharon has also believed in The Endless Project from the very beginning not just as a supporter, but as someone who truly understands its heart. Our missions align in the most meaningful ways: both born from lived experiences, both rooted in the belief that every child deserves access, opportunity, and love without condition. Where MECA brings education directly to children who need it most, The Endless Project works to remove the barriers that keep them from thriving in the first place. Together, we’re proving that when people lead with compassion and action, real change doesn’t just happen — it grows.
With hearts like Sharon’s leading the way, the future feels a little brighter for every child who dares to dream.
