Fulbright-Hays Seminar Participants

Holly W. Adams holds a B.F.A in Ceramics and Drawing, plus a Teaching Certification, from Seton Hill University; and an M.F.A. in Ceramics from West Virginia University. After working at the university, high school, and middle school levels, she has served as an elementary school teacher for twenty years. Holly currently works as a 1st-4th grade art and world cultures teacher; and as an independent artist and art teacher. She integrates qigong, nature, and self-discovery in her work. Being in nature is one of her great passions. For Holly, teaching is a pathway for students’ genuine growth and transformation. Likewise, in her own life, she is always eager to explore, stretch, learn, and grow. Traveling in the USA, Europe, and Asia has informed her teaching in profound ways. And she has enjoyed incorporating the United Nations Sustainable Development goals into her classes. Therefore, she is inspired by the great privilege of participating in this particular Fulbright program in Finland. Holly lives with her beloved husband, two marvelous teenage children, and two sweet black dogs in the beautiful woods outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I am a Chicago area native with nearly twenty years’ experience in the Chicago public school system. I earned my masters in Early Childhood education from Depaul University. What I enjoy most about teaching students in a city school is the diversity and unique backgrounds of my students. Learning about different cultures from my students has broadened my understanding and appreciation for the multi-cultural classroom. My hope is that the experiences I have in Finland will allow me to connect my students to a culture outside of the ones they currently know. 

In my free time I enjoy being in nature and being active. Last summer I completed my first triathlon and since I live close to the lakefront, I was able to train and enjoy the brief but beautiful Chicago summer. It was exciting to go out of my comfort zone and I learned a lot about what I am capable of both physically and mentally. I am a proud Chicago sports fan and attend Cubs and Bears games any chance I get. 

In addition to being in nature, I also enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with friends. I have recently begun playing golf which gives me an understanding of how to handle frustration and excitement in the same moment! It’s given me plenty of opportunity practice patience. 

I have family all over the country that I am fortunate to see several times a year. When it is cold in Chicago it is nice to be able to visit family in a warmer climate. I have three nephews and one niece who I love seeing and wish I could see more. They’re all very excited to learn more about Finland. Additionally, I am looking forward to building relationships with other educators who face similar challenges and learning more from each other about how to invest in, shape and support this next generation of students.

David Chodakewitz is a Middle School Humanities Teacher at the Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, New York. He has been a classroom teacher for four years and has also worked in outdoor and experiential education. During this seminar, he is looking forward to learning new strategies for supporting the well-being of students at his school, as well as getting an immersion into Finnish culture. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, word games, and spending time in the outdoors.

Ellen received her BA from Grinnell College, Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota and is a National Board Certified Teacher with 26 years of experience. Having taught in rural, urban, and suburban schools in Minnesota, Montana, Illinois, and Iowa, she continues to pursue opportunities for growth and connection. Some of these opportunities include being selected for the National Art Education Association School for Arts Leaders and the Connected Arts Network. She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade Visual Art at Pleasant Valley Junior High School in LeClaire, Iowa.

Aloha mai. I grew up on the island of Kauaʻi and now live in Puna, Makuʻu on Hawaiʻi island with my family. I am a Social Studies teacher at Hilo Intermediate School. I truly enjoy teaching about Hawaiian Kingdom and Pacific Island history to 7th graders. I want them to see the historical significance and connection of Hawaii and Native Hawaiians on a regional and global scale. I feel it's important to engage students in a variety of lessons and activities to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. I also help my students with their academic writing and critical thinking skills to get them ready for high school or higher education. My students participate in National History Day to learn and improve research and historical thinking skills.  I love learning new things when I’m traveling. When I’m not at work, I enjoy reading, baking, and volunteering and attending cultural workshops with the Makuʻu Farmers Association.

I have been teaching in the Brooklyn City School District for 23 years. I began as a Title 1 Reading Specialist, then taught general education for first grade, and currently teach second grade. In addition to teaching, I am a local LETRS facilitator and will soon be an Orton-Gillingham Practitioner. Over the years, I have served on several leadership committees. I currently serve on the Literacy Leadership Team and the District Diversity and Cultural committee. Outside of teaching, I am a member of the Brooklyn City Council serving my second elected term. My committee assignments include Planning Commission and Public Safety. My family includes my husband, Ken and adult sons, Teddy and Dan. I am an avid reader and currently enjoy historical novels. I love to garden and recently started taking floral arranging classes for fun.

Hi! My name is Sarah Hammond, and I’m currently a third-grade teacher at a public elementary school in San Francisco, California. I’ve had the opportunity to teach in many different countries and contexts over the years, including teaching 5th grade at a school in Accra, Ghana, and English in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Upon returning to North America, I taught at a school in a low-income neighborhood in San Francisco and at a private, all-boys school in Toronto, Canada. I also had the privilege of teaching at the lab school for the University of Toronto’s School of Education. Recently, I became National Board Certified, and I have a Master’s Degree in Education. I’m passionate about curriculum development and, more specifically, how we can design learning experiences that foster intercultural understanding, self-awareness, empathy, and creative, solution-oriented thinking. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, swimming, hiking, and traveling.

With over 18 years of experience in education, I've served various school communities across rural Alaska and Minnesota in roles such as K-12 Assistant Principal & Principal, International Baccalaureate MYP Coordinator, Federal Programs Manager, District Test Coordinator, High Reliability School Instructional Coach, and 6-12 Math Instructor. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the College of St. Scholastica, MN, focusing on Educational Leadership and Social Justice. Prior academic achievements include an Ed.S. from the American College of Education, an M.S. in Educational Leadership with K-12 Administration Emphasisan M.Ed. from Concordia University, Portland, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Mathematics Emphasis from the College of St. Scholastica, MN.

Hello! I have been a special education teacher for 9 years. I started out my career in education working in early intervention with preschool students and currently teach at the elementary level. I was born in Washington, DC, but spent my adolescence in the mountains of North Carolina before moving to Florida as an adult, where I attained my bachelors degree in psychology at Rollins College. I am passionate about education, the outdoors, travel, and music. I believe strongly in educating the whole child and feel that all students should have access to a well-rounded curriculum that encourages them to become independent thinkers.

Nina Leuzzi is a first grade teacher at Morris Jeff Community School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Throughout her 16-year career in education, she has focused on cultivating classroom spaces where students feel seen, heard and valued by grounding her work in joy, community, and belonging. She encourages students to develop inquiry, agency, and criticality so they can begin to see themselves as powerful and passionate change makers. With a background in trauma-informed teaching, culturally-sustaining pedagogy, and antiracist/anti-bias practice, Nina seeks to establish classrooms and schools where learners are affirmed in their identity and empowered to build the world we all deserve. In addition, she has presented at the MA and US Department of Education, Harvard Medical School and the US Office of Civil Rights in her advocacy work for the rights of students and educators. Nina holds degrees in Journalism and Early Childhood Education from Suffolk University and Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts.

As an academic interventionist in a high-poverty elementary school, Sara Medalen believes that initiating positive change starts with children. She's developed programs with goals of strengething academics while empowering students. Medalen's Girl Power program promotes global literacy and empowers girls to make a lasting impact. Her Books & Braids program, recognized nationally, fosters relationships and reading skills. She founded Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books, a nonprofit that spreads the joy of literacy by giving out free books and treats. With 34 years in education and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Deaf Education, along with a Master of Science in Special Education from Minot State University, Medalen has received numerous awards, including 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year and the 2021 National Education Association Horace Mann Award. In 2023, she earned the prestigious National Education Association Global Fellowship to South Africa.

Innovative, performance driven professional with experience in supporting educational growth within K-12, higher education, special education, English as a second language, volunteer services, as well as supporting veterans, active duty service members and dependents. Having obtained two Masters Degrees in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership; I am an advocate within educational reform, equipped to drive positive change.

I believe in incorporating sustainable practices, culturally responsive teaching and kinesthetic learning methods within the learning environment.

As a Returned Peace Corps Education Volunteer and Title 1 teacher, I am passionate about accessible, adaptable, inclusive and evolutionary teaching practices. As a Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad to Finland participant I aspire to be a vessel of impact on local communities through education adaptations.

I am a California native turned Alabama resident with a love for nature, family and friends, decadent food, new experiences and traveling. 

Hi! I'm Kaila Richardson, originally from Chico, California, now loving life in Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from Santa Clara University in 2017 with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Retail Studies, I dove into the vibrant startup scene of the Bay Area for a couple of years. But, a deeper calling led me to education, where I found my true passion.

Joining Teach For America in 2019, I've had the privilege of teaching 5th and 6th grade ELA, humanities, and writing for four years, gaining valuable experience in the classroom. Currently, I'm honored to serve as the Dean of Students at my middle school, where I have the opportunity to shape school culture and manage discipline systems.

Prior to this role, I spent four years teaching 5th grade and 6th grade ELA, humanities, and writing, gaining valuable experience in the classroom. I furthered my studies with a Master's degree in Education from Arizona State University.

Outside of work, you can find me hiking, trail running, painting, and enjoying good podcasts / shows. I'm thrilled to learn from Finland, bringing back their best practices to our charter network and building connections along the way.

Amy Robbins is a middle school humanities educator at Watershed School in Boulder, CO. She received her BA in anthropology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo and her MA and PhD in anthropology from Binghamton University. Her dissertation research focused on the intersection of art, science, and industry in collaborative glassmaking projects. While writing her dissertation, Amy began teaching at ASMS in Corning, NY, and developed a deep enthusiasm for middle school education: a unique time when young people are beginning to consider what their role in the world should be and how they are connected to others. She loves guiding students through this crucial transition. In her spare time, Amy enjoys being outdoors - particularly running trails, ultramarathons, and hiking - and also loves volunteering at a horse rescue, teaching ESL, reading, museums, and cold weather. She is excited to bring her experiences in Finland home to her students and community in Boulder.

Jenny Siegfried is an 8th grade special education teacher in Natick, MA. She has a Master’s degree in the Science of Teaching in Special Education/Students with Disabilities from Pace University in New York City, NY, an MA in Contemporary Art Practices from New York University, and a BA in Art History from the University of Arizona. Throughout her 12 years as an educator, she’s taught grades K-8 and holds Special Education, General Education, and Visual Art teaching licenses. Jenny is passionate about strengthening inclusive, collaborative education practices in every classroom setting and fostering a sense of personal agency and growth in her students. When she’s not in the classroom, she’s often found partnering with the National Park Service, various nonprofit organizations, and select companies as an Artist in Residence, creating watercolor illustrations and providing instructional art workshops in national parks and a variety of outdoor settings.

A proud fourth generation educator, Lorian Steider Brady is a bilingual, elementary teacher in southern California who believes that all students are "our students". Over nearly three decades, she has taught learners ages five to sixty-five across seventeen schools, three US states, and two countries. Lorian has published articles in professional journals and holds National Board Certification in English as a New Language. When she’s not in the classroom, Lorian writes for children in a studio underneath an avocado tree and stubbornly persists in trying to grow both coffee and chocolate in her garden.