Boston, MA—Teach Plus, a national non-profit that empowers teachers to lead improvements in policy and practice, has named 24 outstanding public school teachers from Rhode Island as Fellows of the 2018-19 Teach Plus Rhode Island Teaching Policy Fellowship. During the nine-month program, the Fellows will focus on advancing and building upon the personalized learning recommendations that the previous cohort of Rhode Island Fellows developed in 2017. The Fellows will pursue a rigorous course in education policy in order to advocate for personalized learning policies that will better serve students, teachers, and communities in their state.
“Rhode Island is paving the way for innovation around personalized learning in public education and any long-lasting success in this effort must involve practitioners,” said Teach Plus Massachusetts Executive Director Paul Toner. “We’re looking forward to bringing our new Rhode Island Fellows into discussions to build off the work of the 2017 Fellows to make personalized learning the norm rather than the exception in Rhode Island schools.”
The new Fellows, who represent schools across the state, teach a wide range of subjects and grades. The incoming teachers have been recognized for their outstanding work and commitment to the teaching profession.
“Being a part of the 2018 Teach Plus cohort has reaffirmed my belief that the answers to improving public education systems and outcomes are in the classroom and that teacher input is not just a check but a necessity for meaningful reform. The 2018 Fellows are inspiring educators who touch the lives of children across our state as they advocate for policies to bring opportunities to all our students,” said Alex Lucini, a 2018-19 Teach Plus Rhode Island Fellow, music teacher at West Broadway Middle School, and treasurer of the Providence Teachers Union.
The 2018-19 Rhode Island Teaching Policy Fellows are:
Brianna Balke, Blackstone Academy Charter School
Christopher Barbosa, Cumberland High School, Cumberland
Danielle Bercovicz, Mount Pleasant High School, Providence Public Schools
Brian Bordieri, The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Ai-Ling Chang, Hope High School, Providence Public Schools
Alysia D’Urso, Paul Cuffee Upper School, Paul Cuffee School District
Leanne Dube, Mount Pleasant High School, Providence Public Schools
Rodney Gamble, The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Jessica Gemma, Founders Academy, Beacon Charter Schools
Sam Jean-Baptiste, Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Carrie Kelly, Winman Middle School, Warwick Public Schools
Derek LaBrie, Hope High School, Providence Public Schools
Annie Lagace, Charles E. Shea High School, Pawtucket
Kristine Lapierre, Hope High School, Providence Public Schools
Alex Lucini, West Broadway Middle School, Providence Public Schools
Keith Nalbach, The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Ellen Piangerelli, Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Neisa Pimentel, Governor Christopher DelSesto Middle School, Providence Public Schools
Kristen Rhodes Beland, Suzanne M. Hensler Quidnessett Elementary School, North Kingstown
Cole Robinson, The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Jessica Ruckert, Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Middle School 2, Blackstone Valley Prep
Nicole Simpson, Blackstone Valley Prep High School, Blackstone Valley Prep
Raymond Steinmetz, Portsmouth School District
O’Sha L. Williams, Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, Providence Public Schools
Learn more about the 2018-19 Rhode Island Fellows
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students. teachplus.or
