Ambassadors
Cohorts

Learn about the educators participating in the ARTEFFECT Ambassadors Online Fellowship and how they bring Unsung Heroes stories to life in their classrooms.

Congratulations 2025-2026 ARTEFFECT Ambassadors!

ARTEFFECT Ambassadors is an online fellowship for educators working directly with students in grades 6-12 to foster the visual arts. Ambassadors learn alongside other high-level practitioners through visual arts-focused, project-based lessons centered on the inspiring and diverse stories of Unsung Heroes from history. During the school year, Ambassadors participate in a series of online professional development sessions and complete an innovative capstone project that engages their classrooms and communities.

Congratulations to the 2025-26 fellows! Members of this cohort hail from across 17 states and represent diverse educational, professional, and geographic backgrounds, including specializations in visual arts, social studies, and STEAM.

Ambassadors

All

Ramona Abraham Coley
Visual Art Educator, NYC Museum School | New York, NY
Rose Elise Aitken
Visual Art Teacher - North Thurston High School, Lacey, WA
Corina Salas Alvarezdelugo
Upper School Art & Design Faculty, King School | Stamford, CT
Mary Anderson
Visual Art Teacher, La Salle High School | Pasadena, CA
Anna August
Art Teacher, Sinai Akiba Academy | Los Angeles, CA
Michal Austin
Visual Art Teacher, Flinthills, USD 492 | Rosalia, KS
Avery Vanessa Ayers-Berry
Art Teacher, Shawnee Heights High School | Tecumseh, KS
Christine Bagneris
Visual Art Teacher, The Willow Middle School | New Orleans, LA
Amy Benfer
Art Teacher, Cumberland Regional High School | Bridgeton, NJ
Pnina Benperlas
Hebrew Teacher, Milken Community School | Los Angeles, CA
Emily Bittner
Ceramics Teacher, Castro Valley High School | Castro Valley, CA
Bill Black
High School Art Teacher, Omak High School | Omak, WA
Lauren Blakely
Art Teacher, White Knoll Middle School | West Columbia, SC
Deborah Lynn Bober Ed.D.
K-8 Art Specialist, Cubberley School | Long Beach, CA
Brandy Boden
Visual Arts Teacher, Northfield Middle High School | Northfield, VT
Jennifer Browning Bolesta
Visual Art Teacher, Visitation Academy | St. Louis, MO
Cynthia Bowie
Visual Arts Teacher, South Carolina Connections Academy | Columbia, SC
Aja Brown
STEM Teacher, Metropolitan Soundview High School | Bronx, NY
Maureen T. Bryant
Visual Art Teacher, Visitation Academy | St. Louis, MO
Kevin Dailey
U.S. History Teacher, Ballyshannon Middle School | Union, KY
Kyle Denman
Executive Director, Arts Bridging the Gap | West Hollywood, CA
Elisabeth Yvonne Diaz
Visual Arts Teacher, Mark Twain Dual Language Academy | San Antonio, TX
Rosemary Dodson, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Savannah Arts Academy | Savannah, GA
Brian James Dussel, Ed.D.
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Senior High School | Jericho, NY
Sarah Espinal
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho High School | Jericho, NY
Samantha Fields, Ed.D.
Lead Art Teacher, Doughtery County School System | Albany, GA
Nakimer Foreman, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Monroe Comprehensive High School | Albany, GA
Angela Guy
Visual Arts Teacher, Cypress Creek High School | Houston, TX
Jennifer Harrington
Social Science Teacher and Department Chair, Irvine High School | Irvine, CA
Megan Henry
Visual Arts Teacher, West Anchorage High School | Anchorage, AK
Michelle Hickey
Art Teacher, Scio Middle & High School | Scio, OR
Sandra L. Hutton
Middle School Arts Program Lead, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School | Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Archana Kamani
Visual Arts Teacher, Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies | Plainfield, NJ
Jennifer Kay-Rivera, Ed.S.
Visual Arts Teacher, Sterling Heights High School/Warren Consolidated Schools | Sterling Heights, MI
Sue Mary Kenney Ph.D.
Social Studies Teacher, Immaculate Heart Academy | Washington, NJ
Marci Kivo
Social Studies Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Mimi Klabon
Art & Design Teacher, Milken Community School | Los Angeles, CA
Ashli Knoell
S.T.E.A.M. + Robotics Teacher, V. Sue Cleveland High School | Rio Rancho, NM
Jill M. Kokesh
Art Instructor, T.F. Riggs High School | Pierre, SD
Konstantinos Kovoros
Social Studies Teacher | Jericho High School, Jericho, NY
Lauren Kulesz
Art and Journalism Teacher, Venture High School | Arlington, TX
Athanasia H. Kyriakakos
Educator, Baltimore Public Schools | Cockeysville, MD
Jennifer Langston
Science Teacher, Paragould Junior High | Paragould, AR
James Lawlor
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Luctrica Lewis
Visual Arts Teacher, Kipp Summit Academy | San Lorenzo, CA
Cheryl Lunger
Retired Drawing & Painting Teacher, LaVilla School of the Arts | Jacksonville, FL
Sarah Elizabeth Luttrell
Art Educator, Waynesville High School | Waynesville, MO
Soudabeh Memarzadeh
Visual Art Teacher, Del Lago Academy | Escondido, CA
Renna Georgia Moore-Edwards
Visual Art Teacher, Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex | Jackson, MS
Catharine Morris
Art Educator, Holton High School | Holton, KS
Mary Esther Morrow, Ed.S.
Visual Arts Teacher, St. Clair County High School | Odenville, AL
Lalitha Murali
STEM/Gifted and Talented Teacher, Glen Hills Middle School | Glendale, WI
Summer Nation
Art Teacher, Germantown High School | Madison, MS
Alyssa M. Navapanich
Art Teacher, Lemon Grove School District | Lemon Grove, CA
David Nemteanu
Principles of Design Teacher, Del Lago Academy of Applied Science | Escondido, CA
Stephen Charles Newbold, Jr., Ph.D.
Digital Arts and Design/Photography Teacher, MacArthur High School | Washington, DC
Beth Overfield
Visual Arts Teacher, Department, Head Hagerstown Jr. Sr. High | Hagerstown, IN
Kathryn L. Pascal
Pottery Teacher, Franklin Pierce High School | Tacoma, WA
Sarah Pascual
Visual Art Teacher & Department Chair, Sol C. Johnson High School | Savannah, GA
Kristin Ponden
Visual Arts Chair, The Unquowa School | Fairfield, CT
Jayda Elaine Pugliese, Ed.D.(c)
Principal/President, Nazareth Academy Grade School, Holy Family University | Philadelphia, PA
Erica Quale
U.S. History Teacher, Wachter Middle School | Bismarck, ND
Keri Reynolds, Ed.D.
Art Educator, Kerr High School/Alief ISD | Houston, TX
Michele Rodich
Visual Art Teacher, Preston County High School | Kingwood, WV
Shelley Kathleen Self
High School Art Teacher, Coweta Public Schools | Coweta, OK
Mindy Ray Sizemore
Visual Arts Teacher, Spring Mills High School | Martinsburg, WV
Randi Sparks, Ed.S.
Visual Art/Speech/Theatre Facilitator, Electives Team Lead, Fine Arts Department Head, Rogers Academy of Leadership & Innovation | Rogers, AR
Pat Sprinkle
History and Social Studies Teacher, NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies | New York, NY
Johnna Faith Stoffregen
Visual Art Educator, Andover Middle School | Andover, KS
Leslie Sullivan
Social Studies Teacher / High School Chair, West Ashley High School | Charleston, SC
Melissa J. Sylvester
Art Teacher, Yarmouth High School | Yarmouth, ME
Jem Cloyd Tanucan, Ph.D.
Art Teacher, Colonial Beach High School | Colonial Beach, VA
Addison River Tobias
Programs Manager, Museum Hue | Brooklyn, NY
Gayle Trueblood
Visual Arts Teacher, Shawnee High School | Lima, OH
Mevlida Turkes-Habibovic Ph.D.
Teacher, Tom Benson School | Kenner, LA
Jessi Vacca
Visual Art Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School | Joplin, MO
Susannah L. Van Horn, Ph.D.
Visual Arts Educator, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School | East Lansing, MI
Kimberly Jean Vandervert
Art Teacher, Peperzak Middle School | Spokane, WA
Michelle Vevante
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Monico Orlando Vitela
Visual Art Teacher, Bonham Academy SAISD | San Antonio, TX
Susan Denise Volluci
Visual Art Teacher & Art History Teacher, Central Falls High School | Central Falls, RI
Denise K. Webb
Visual Art Teacher, Pleasure Ridge Park High School | Louisville, KY
Taneisha Whatley, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Westover High School | Albany, GA
Rebecca Wilkinson
Visual Art Teacher, Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex | Jackson, MS
Matt Shain Young
Visual Arts Teacher, Pickerington High School Central | Pickerington, OH
Rosemary Anne Ziegler
Visual Art Teacher, Troy Buchanan High School | Troy, MO
Kim Zimmerman
Art Teacher, Kanuikapono Public Charter School | Anahola, HI

2025-26

Ramona Abraham Coley
Visual Art Educator, NYC Museum School | New York, NY
Mary Anderson
Visual Art Teacher, La Salle High School | Pasadena, CA
Christine Bagneris
Visual Art Teacher, The Willow Middle School | New Orleans, LA
Amy Benfer
Art Teacher, Cumberland Regional High School | Bridgeton, NJ
Emily Bittner
Ceramics Teacher, Castro Valley High School | Castro Valley, CA
Bill Black
High School Art Teacher, Omak High School | Omak, WA
Lauren Blakely
Art Teacher, White Knoll Middle School | West Columbia, SC
Brandy Boden
Visual Arts Teacher, Northfield Middle High School | Northfield, VT
Cynthia Bowie
Visual Arts Teacher, South Carolina Connections Academy | Columbia, SC
Nakimer Foreman, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Monroe Comprehensive High School | Albany, GA
Angela Guy
Visual Arts Teacher, Cypress Creek High School | Houston, TX
Jennifer Harrington
Social Science Teacher and Department Chair, Irvine High School | Irvine, CA
Michelle Hickey
Art Teacher, Scio Middle & High School | Scio, OR
Marci Kivo
Social Studies Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Lauren Kulesz
Art and Journalism Teacher, Venture High School | Arlington, TX
Jennifer Langston
Science Teacher, Paragould Junior High | Paragould, AR
Lalitha Murali
STEM/Gifted and Talented Teacher, Glen Hills Middle School | Glendale, WI
David Nemteanu
Principles of Design Teacher, Del Lago Academy of Applied Science | Escondido, CA
Beth Overfield
Visual Arts Teacher, Department, Head Hagerstown Jr. Sr. High | Hagerstown, IN
Sarah Pascual
Visual Art Teacher & Department Chair, Sol C. Johnson High School | Savannah, GA
Randi Sparks, Ed.S.
Visual Art/Speech/Theatre Facilitator, Electives Team Lead, Fine Arts Department Head, Rogers Academy of Leadership & Innovation | Rogers, AR
Pat Sprinkle
History and Social Studies Teacher, NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies | New York, NY
Jem Cloyd Tanucan, Ph.D.
Art Teacher, Colonial Beach High School | Colonial Beach, VA
Gayle Trueblood
Visual Arts Teacher, Shawnee High School | Lima, OH
Jessi Vacca
Visual Art Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School | Joplin, MO
Michelle Vevante
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Taneisha Whatley, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Westover High School | Albany, GA
Kim Zimmerman
Art Teacher, Kanuikapono Public Charter School | Anahola, HI

2024-25

Corina Salas Alvarezdelugo
Upper School Art & Design Faculty, King School | Stamford, CT
Anna August
Art Teacher, Sinai Akiba Academy | Los Angeles, CA
Michal Austin
Visual Art Teacher, Flinthills, USD 492 | Rosalia, KS
Pnina Benperlas
Hebrew Teacher, Milken Community School | Los Angeles, CA
Jennifer Browning Bolesta
Visual Art Teacher, Visitation Academy | St. Louis, MO
Aja Brown
STEM Teacher, Metropolitan Soundview High School | Bronx, NY
Maureen T. Bryant
Visual Art Teacher, Visitation Academy | St. Louis, MO
Elisabeth Yvonne Diaz
Visual Arts Teacher, Mark Twain Dual Language Academy | San Antonio, TX
Rosemary Dodson, Ed.S.
Visual Art Teacher, Savannah Arts Academy | Savannah, GA
Brian James Dussel, Ed.D.
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Senior High School | Jericho, NY
Sarah Espinal
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho High School | Jericho, NY
Samantha Fields, Ed.D.
Lead Art Teacher, Doughtery County School System | Albany, GA
Archana Kamani
Visual Arts Teacher, Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies | Plainfield, NJ
Jennifer Kay-Rivera, Ed.S.
Visual Arts Teacher, Sterling Heights High School/Warren Consolidated Schools | Sterling Heights, MI
Ashli Knoell
S.T.E.A.M. + Robotics Teacher, V. Sue Cleveland High School | Rio Rancho, NM
James Lawlor
Social Studies Teacher, Jericho Middle School | Jericho, NY
Cheryl Lunger
Retired Drawing & Painting Teacher, LaVilla School of the Arts | Jacksonville, FL
Soudabeh Memarzadeh
Visual Art Teacher, Del Lago Academy | Escondido, CA
Mary Esther Morrow, Ed.S.
Visual Arts Teacher, St. Clair County High School | Odenville, AL
Stephen Charles Newbold, Jr., Ph.D.
Digital Arts and Design/Photography Teacher, MacArthur High School | Washington, DC
Kathryn L. Pascal
Pottery Teacher, Franklin Pierce High School | Tacoma, WA
Erica Quale
U.S. History Teacher, Wachter Middle School | Bismarck, ND
Keri Reynolds, Ed.D.
Art Educator, Kerr High School/Alief ISD | Houston, TX
Michele Rodich
Visual Art Teacher, Preston County High School | Kingwood, WV
Mindy Ray Sizemore
Visual Arts Teacher, Spring Mills High School | Martinsburg, WV
Susannah L. Van Horn, Ph.D.
Visual Arts Educator, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School | East Lansing, MI
Monico Orlando Vitela
Visual Art Teacher, Bonham Academy SAISD | San Antonio, TX
Susan Denise Volluci
Visual Art Teacher & Art History Teacher, Central Falls High School | Central Falls, RI
Denise K. Webb
Visual Art Teacher, Pleasure Ridge Park High School | Louisville, KY
Rebecca Wilkinson
Visual Art Teacher, Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex | Jackson, MS
Matt Shain Young
Visual Arts Teacher, Pickerington High School Central | Pickerington, OH
Rosemary Anne Ziegler
Visual Art Teacher, Troy Buchanan High School | Troy, MO

2023-24

Rose Elise Aitken
Visual Art Teacher - North Thurston High School, Lacey, WA
Avery Vanessa Ayers-Berry
Art Teacher, Shawnee Heights High School | Tecumseh, KS
Deborah Lynn Bober Ed.D.
K-8 Art Specialist, Cubberley School | Long Beach, CA
Kevin Dailey
U.S. History Teacher, Ballyshannon Middle School | Union, KY
Kyle Denman
Executive Director, Arts Bridging the Gap | West Hollywood, CA
Megan Henry
Visual Arts Teacher, West Anchorage High School | Anchorage, AK
Sandra L. Hutton
Middle School Arts Program Lead, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School | Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Sue Mary Kenney Ph.D.
Social Studies Teacher, Immaculate Heart Academy | Washington, NJ
Mimi Klabon
Art & Design Teacher, Milken Community School | Los Angeles, CA
Jill M. Kokesh
Art Instructor, T.F. Riggs High School | Pierre, SD
Konstantinos Kovoros
Social Studies Teacher | Jericho High School, Jericho, NY
Athanasia H. Kyriakakos
Educator, Baltimore Public Schools | Cockeysville, MD
Luctrica Lewis
Visual Arts Teacher, Kipp Summit Academy | San Lorenzo, CA
Sarah Elizabeth Luttrell
Art Educator, Waynesville High School | Waynesville, MO
Renna Georgia Moore-Edwards
Visual Art Teacher, Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex | Jackson, MS
Catharine Morris
Art Educator, Holton High School | Holton, KS
Summer Nation
Art Teacher, Germantown High School | Madison, MS
Alyssa M. Navapanich
Art Teacher, Lemon Grove School District | Lemon Grove, CA
Kristin Ponden
Visual Arts Chair, The Unquowa School | Fairfield, CT
Jayda Elaine Pugliese, Ed.D.(c)
Principal/President, Nazareth Academy Grade School, Holy Family University | Philadelphia, PA
Shelley Kathleen Self
High School Art Teacher, Coweta Public Schools | Coweta, OK
Johnna Faith Stoffregen
Visual Art Educator, Andover Middle School | Andover, KS
Leslie Sullivan
Social Studies Teacher / High School Chair, West Ashley High School | Charleston, SC
Melissa J. Sylvester
Art Teacher, Yarmouth High School | Yarmouth, ME
Addison River Tobias
Programs Manager, Museum Hue | Brooklyn, NY
Mevlida Turkes-Habibovic Ph.D.
Teacher, Tom Benson School | Kenner, LA
Kimberly Jean Vandervert
Art Teacher, Peperzak Middle School | Spokane, WA