Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program Participants 2024

Amy Anderton is a 35-year public school veteran specializing in World Languages. She has been a Teacher of German, Spanish, ESL, Language Arts, Earth Science, Astronomy, Folk Dance, self-contained elementary school, and university level classes. Additionally, she has served as an Assistant Principal in K-12 schools as well as a Drug, Violence, and Dropout Prevention Specialist. Amy loves to travel whenever and wherever she can, given she is a firm believer in growing both personally and professionally through the meaningful connections that travelling and being exposed to diverse cultures and languages brings to us all. In fact, this aspect is ever present in her own family in that they all speak several languages. Amy enjoys spending time shopping, trying out new recipes and enjoys watching movies, especially historical fiction.

Rebecca Bacon received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Education in Administrative Education from the University of Oklahoma. She is certified in Early Childhood Education, English as a Second Language, and Elementary Principal. Mrs. Bacon has taught Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Kindergarten through Third Grade Intervention during her 23 years in Tulsa Public Schools' classrooms. She was an assistant principal for one year and has been the principal at Springdale Elementary since 2013. She has worked with the Tulsa Public Schools' world language department to develop first a one-way dual language and now a two-way dual language program at Springdale Elementary to best meet the needs of her student population. She has presented and co-presented at many area, regional, and national education conferences on varying topics ranging from gender bias in education to engaging families in dual language programming. Her hobbies include photography, cooking, and travel. She is married and has two sons, one granddaughter, and one grandson.

Matthew Baker is a passionate and data-driven urban school leader with fifteen years of educational experience and half a decade of proven administrative experience across K-12 continuum leading to equitable student outcomes. Matthew has experience in building a culture of tailored instructional coaching to improve teacher practices and implement school-wide curricular and social-emotional strategies. As a distributive leader, Matthew uses data to design and monitor school-wide interventions. He is a parent and community advocate who collaborates with families to support continued growth of students and the school ∙ Matthew is deeply committed to creating meaningful relationships and strong systems and structures to create more equitable and intercultural educational experiences for young people. Outside of school leadership, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and one year old son. His hobbies include playing basketball, listening to music, camping, fishing, hiking, and spending time with his loved ones.

Sarah Cummins has served as the Head of the School of Redwood Cooperative School (Lexington, Kentucky) for the last seven years. Prior to becoming the Head of School, she served on the Redwood Board of Directors during the school's formative years, as well as teaching science. Early in her career, Sarah worked as a primatologist completing research in Kenya, East Africa. After returning to the states, Sarah spent more than a decade as a school administrator and science teacher at other private schools within the states of California and Kentucky. Sarah received a Bachelor of Arts dual degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Kentucky, an Executive Educational Leadership certificate, and is currently completing a doctorate degree in Education Sciences with a specialization in Education Leadership from the University of Kentucky. Sarah is a certified professional environmental educator and has led professional developments for teachers across the state in environmental education, positive discipline, and restorative justice. Specific areas of interest for Sarah include authentic assessments, progressive education, diversity and inclusion, democracy in education, global education, global literacy, restorative justice and positive discipline, community engagement and environmental education and literacy. Sarah received a governor appointment to a council seat on the Kentucky Environmental Education Council and was recently elected Vice-Chair of the Council. Sarah resides in central Kentucky with her husband and two sons.

Andrew Guyon is a high school administrator in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to becoming an administrator, Andrew taught mathematics, science and ELA and served as a school-based teacher leader, dean of students, and new teacher coach. The 2023-2024 school year will be his 15th year in education. Andrew's passions include teaching and learning, traveling, hiking, swimming, skiing, and spending time with his son and spouse. He is a dual citizen and speaks several languages.

Christopher G. King, Ed.D., is a dedicated and accomplished education leader with a strong passion for advancing instructional excellence and promoting equitable learning opportunities. He holds a Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership and an Advanced Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Hunter College School of Education, and a master's in teaching and a bachelor's in biology from Fordham University. Throughout his career, Christopher has shown exceptional leadership as the Assistant Principal of Supervision-Science, Mathematics, and Middle School Language Arts at West Bronx Academy for the Future. Supervising 20 Mathematics and Science Teachers, as well as middle school students, he has been instrumental in driving instructional excellence and fostering data-informed decision-making processes. His collaborative approach to professional development has positively impacted teacher training and enhanced pedagogical practices within the school. Additionally, Christopher has been an influential figure at Hunter College School of Education, serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, where he facilitated a comprehensive curriculum in School Building and School District Leadership. Christopher lives on Long Island with his wife and two children.

Emilie Knisley serves as co-principal of the Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, VT where her primary focus is on grades seven through twelve. Blue Mountain is a preschool through grade twelve school serving the towns of Ryegate, Groton, and Wells River in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Emilie began her career at Blue Mountain Union School (BMU) in 2005 as an English language arts teacher, she then went on to serve as the principal, and then superintendent of the Blue Mountain Supervisory District.  In 2018, she joined Orange East Supervisory Union as the superintendent of schools. In 2022, she returned to her roots as principal at Blue Mountain Union School. Emilie also serves as a member of the faculty of Castleton State University, teaching graduate students and aspiring school administrators' courses on school law. Emilie has a particular interest in rural schools and developing innovative strategies for them to grow, prosper, and thrive. Emilie serves as the vice-chair of the Board for the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative where she works cooperatively to provide regional resources to students and teachers. While in Finland, Emilie’s Fulbright research will focus on innovative strategies that connect students to their communities, to post-secondary opportunity, and to internships and work-based learning experience while in high school—with a particular focus on how to implement these programs in rural schools and communities. Emilie grew up in a variety of locales: from Utah, to Australia, to Rhode Island, before finally settling in Vermont as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Emilie studied at the University of Rhode Island and Castleton University where she earned a BA in sociology and English. She then went on to study at Norwich University in the Master of Architecture program. From there she worked in the field of academic research and grant writing and for the Vermont State Parks system for several years. In 2004, Emilie turned to education and studied at the Upper Valley Teachers Institute, earning a teacher certification for middle and high school level education in English and History. In 2007, she was selected to represent the United States as a Japanese Fulbright Teacher Scholar in the country of Japan. She then attended graduate school at Plymouth State University earning a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in 2009, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership in 2016. She then went on to study at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Certificate of Advanced Educational Leadership (CAEL) in 2018.

Brian has been a proud educator for 16 years. He has served students as an English teacher, Assistant Principal, and High School Principal. Brian has also taught graduate classes as an adjunct instructor. In 2017 Brian designed and launched an alternative school that opened in 2018. Innovation Academy provides a unique, project-based, learning experience for students who need more than what a traditional school can offer. In February of 2020 the staff of Innovation Academy were asked to present to the Michigan State Board of Education as a blueprint for what alternative education should look like. Brian is currently leading a Global Education Team that has designed a pathway for students at Howell High School to earn a Global Scholars endorsement upon graduation. Brian is currently working toward a doctorate degree at Oakland University and is ecstatic to be a part of the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools program.

Dr. Susan Outlaw is the executive director at Metro Deaf School in Saint Paul, MN. She earned her doctorate from Gallaudet University and previously was an assistant professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. She has worked in the field of Deaf education for over 25 years as a teacher, administrator, and in teacher preparation. She has had the opportunity to do presentations and training nationally and internationally. Her research and teaching interests include content literacy, ASL/English bilingual education, playful learning, hands-on learning, English literacy development, formative assessment, and educational settings and placement decisions for deaf students. Most recently she has been collaborating with the University of St Thomas's Playful Learning Lab and STEAM education for Deaf and DeafBlind students. Learning is a lifelong activity, and she is excited to learn and share with others during her Fulbright experience.

Jose M. Rodriguez is an Administrative Coordinator with the LA Unified Human Resources Division. He is dedicated to developing administrators and building their leadership skills to effectively serve high-need schools. Jose is passionate about promoting social change through education and understands the deep level of responsibility that comes with being an administrator. During his time as a site administrator, he worked tirelessly to provide direction for all students and ensure that their destiny was not determined by their demographics. Jose prides himself in preparing individuals for their next leadership role. He has held positions as a teacher assistant, teacher, assistant principal, principal, and principal supervisor. He has also served as VP for Legislative Action at ACSA-Region 16 and has been recognized as Administrator of the Year. In addition, he has served on multiple organizational Executive Boards. Jose earned his Bachelor of Arts and master's degrees from California State University, Los Angeles in 1998 and 2002 respectively. He furthered his education by obtaining a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Donald Rucker serves as principal of KIPP Vision Academy. Previously, he served as the assistant principal for KIPP Vision Primary School. Dr. Rucker began his career in education after graduating from Maryville College. He began his education career teaching 4th Grade English in Hebei County, China, and shortly after 3rd and 4th Grade ELA in Greenville, Alabama. He also served as a founding first and second-grade teacher before stepping into the assistant principal role at KIPP Vision Primary. Dr. Rucker holds his doctorate in School Improvement with a concentration in Educational Leadership. Dr. Rucker is deeply committed to creating equitable and dynamic spaces that cause kids to want to run to school each day.

Tanya Smith is the principal of Duplin Early College High School in Duplin County, North Carolina. She has been in education for 28 years. Positions she had held include Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, Race to the Top Achievement Coach, and Assistant Principal. She has dedicated herself to being a voice for children to ensure they receive a quality education and equal opportunities. She has accomplished this by being selected to serve on the National Education Equity Lab Teacher Advisory Committee, Early College Network Council, District Level Grow Your Own Scholarship Committee, and District Level MTSS Committee. Ms. Smith was also selected as a 2023 Honoree for the 5th Annual Pillar of Strength Award Banquet and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ms. Smith graduated from South Carolina State University in 1994 with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with a Specialization in Creative Arts from Lesley University in 2005, and her principal's license in 2012 from UNC-Wilmington. She and her husband, James, have been married for 25 years. They have 3 adult children and one grandson.

Kelly A. Thompson, Ph.D., currently serves as Director of Curriculum, Literacy, Assessment and EL for the D.C. Everest Area School District in Central Wisconsin. She has 30 years of experience devoted to public education, where she spent many years as an educator of English Language Arts and German and most recently as an educational leader for the past ten years. Dr. Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy, and her latest leadership endeavors have been dedicated to ensuring all teachers have training and access to evidence and science-based instruction and materials to ensure high literacy outcomes for all students. She and her husband Chad - also a public educator - enjoy traveling in their spare time. As a dog lover, she is dog mom to four miniature Dachshunds.

Jessica Waters leads the Nowell Academy. In this role, Jessica provides academic, financial, and school operation oversight. She also manages talent development, and board relations. Nowell Academy is a public charter school in Providence, Rhode Island with a mission to ensure that Rhode Island’s pregnant, parenting, and underserved youth graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for success in college, career, and family life. Jessica led Nowell’s design team through Barr Foundation’s Engage New England: doing high school differently grant to support school turnaround efforts. During this time, Jessica and her team dramatically transformed the academic program from a drop-in tutoring model to a relevant rigorous, project based, personalized, model. Jessica also served as an educator specialist at the RI Department of Education and as the Director of Next Generation Partnerships at Rhode Island Mayoral Academies. Jessica taught science at the secondary level. During this time, Jessica was selected to represent RI as the RI 2013 State Teacher of the Year. When she is not running a school, she is a mom to 4 children aged from 23 to 5 and sometimes pretends to be a farmer.

Moses Williams is principal of Mount Herman Exceptional Student Center and previously Principal of Mandarin Middle School, the largest middle school in the Duval County Public School District in Jacksonville, Florida. As principal, Mr. Williams has proven to be a strong instructional leader, culture and community builder, and operations expert. Mr. Williams has also previously served as a teacher, day treatment site coordinator, director of coaching, assistant principal of operations, assistant principal of curriculum, and principal designer. In addition to his official roles, Mr. Williams has served on several Cognia Accreditation Teams and the Florida Educational Leadership Exam validation and finalization team. Mr. Williams has demonstrated commitment to student achievement throughout all the experiences and promotes academic excellence for all students. Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Alabama A&M University and earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. Mr. Williams enjoys mentoring and coaching teachers and student athletes to build capacity to create frameworks for success. Mr. Williams uses his academic and athletic achievements to inspire and empower students to push toward their goals and strive for achievement in all life’s endeavors.

Dr. Khaliyah Williams-Rodríguez is currently the Executive Director, Elementary Programs within the North Clackamas School District near Portland, Oregon. Previously, she served as an Elementary School Principal and has been employed within a K - 12 public school setting for 24 years. Khaliyah moved to Oregon from New York City. Upon completing her undergraduate degree from Adelphi University, she attended the University of Oregon and earned a doctorate in School Psychology. She is passionate about leading educational equity, analyzing systems, collaborating with school educators, and creating opportunities to engage students and families in their educational journey. Khaliyah is a lifelong learner and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, listening to audiobooks, and cycling.