Fulbright Leaders for Global School Participants 2025

Cristina is an experienced educator and high school administrator who loves working with students who have not found success in traditional settings. She is thrilled to join the ranks of Fulbright educators to learn more about international school systems and ways to support all students. Cristina studied wildlife biology and did field work studying frogs in remote lake basins and then studying urban owl colonies before deciding to share her passion for science. She earned her teaching credential and a master's in education before spending seven years as a science teacher and department chair, foster youth liaison, and intervention program manager at a large high school in Sacramento. An opportunity to work in alternative education brought her to a teaching role at the local continuation high school, where she furthered her passion for supporting students who have been left behind by traditional systems. Cristina served as the continuation school Principal for four years before accepting her current role as Vice Principal of Independent Study at Visions in Education, where she continues to learn more about alternative educational models while supporting students from nine counties in Northern California. Cristina loves sports, the outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. She was on the UC Davis Ultimate Frisbee team when they won the national championship in 2004, and now puts her energy into training for Spartan races and coaching her children in youth sports. Cristina lives with her husband, daughter (age 9), and son (age 7) in California. She is an avid reader and enthusiastic traveler with an innate talent for getting lost and believes that some of the best life lessons happen during unexpected and unplanned detours. She looks forward to learning alongside other Fulbright educators during this program and beyond.

Karen Cheser, Ed.D., is the proud superintendent of the Durango (CO) School District and was previously a superintendent in Kentucky. She is committed to ensuring ALL students find their Ikigai. Prior to working in education as a teacher, coach, literacy and math specialist, principal, Distinguished Educator and district administrator, Karen worked for Procter & Gamble Inc. in brand management. Karen has been instrumental in bringing innovation, student agency, and a focus on future workforce to Southwest Colorado and Northern Kentucky through such projects as the Impact Career Innovation Center, NKY MakerSpace, Ignite Institute, Launch@20 Grand, LEGO League Robotics and the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs. Karen served as national Vice-Chair of EdLeader21, is a member of the CoSN National Superintendents’ Panel and SEEC (Superintendents’ Sustainability Education Council), is Board Chair of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, President of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, and has served in many community leadership roles in CO and KY. Karen earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Business Informatics from Northern KY University and has presented at numerous conferences, on topics such as designing innovation, strategic planning, process improvement, student empowerment, global competency, 21st century skills, dispositional hiring and leading higher academic standards. She has been honored with awards such as the Toyota Business Collaboration Award, KY Administrator of the Year, AASA Female Administrator of the Year runner-up, CoSN’s National Tech Team of the year, as well as CEI’s (CO Ed Initiative) Pathways to Possibilities Award. Karen is mom to two college-aged sons, wife to an entrepreneur/ woodworker, loves to travel, and coaches robotics in her spare time.

John Wilfred Cwikiel (Wil), Ed. D., is the superintendent-principal of Beaver Island Community School and a research affiliate with the Superintendent Lab. He has served public schools as a middle school principal, teacher, elected school board member, and mentor for aspiring and new superintendents. Before his career in education, he worked in natural resources management, planning, and policy in the non-profit, governmental, and consultancy sectors. Wil has served on several statewide advisory committees and boards of non-profit organizations. He received the Kellogg National Fellowship, where he explored spirituality in the context of citizen engagement and leadership. Dr. Cwikiel’s research interests include rural school leadership, superintendent retention, and equity and inclusion in rural spaces. 

Danna LaCaze brings over 17 years of dedicated service in education, initially launching her career as a special education teacher with a vast background spanning various grade levels and subject areas. Her journey has been marked by significant contributions, including leadership roles in academic and behavioral intervention committees. Danna is recognized for her advocacy and implementation of inclusive educational practices, particularly enhancing opportunities for students with disabilities throughout her district. As a result of her contributions to the district leadership team, Danna's expertise has garnered recognition at both the state and national levels, resulting in invitations to present best practices following notable student achievement under her leadership. Currently serving as the Director of Special Education in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, Danna LaCaze assumes a pivotal role in overseeing comprehensive special education services. Her responsibilities encompass strategic planning tailored to diverse learner needs, ensuring the timely and accurate identification of exceptional students, and spearheading initiatives that drive measurable student growth. Danna holds academic credentials from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, including a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Teaching. Committed to further advancing her leadership capabilities, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Louisiana Tech University.

Nancy Lai's 19 years as a California public school educator have been driven by the pursuit of educational justice for historically underserved students. This drive stems from her own experiences as an immigrant and English Language Learner from a low-income home, and the ways she did and did not have access to academic resources. Her first job as a high school English teacher instilled in her the belief that students who haven't yet found success in academic settings also have deep stores of intellectual, cultural, linguistic, individual, and community assets that must be celebrated and leveraged to support their academic progress and empower them with meaningful choices post-graduation. She has deepened this understanding in her roles as site coach, literacy specialist, language and literacy coordinator, and director of ELA, History, and Library Services in both Oakland and Alameda Unified School Districts. Nancy takes pride in leading professional development on language, literacy, and culturally-responsive content and pedagogy that are characterized by joyful and imperative-driven adult learning. She delights in collaboration to improve systems and structures, such as curricular adoptions or program compliance, ensuring purpose and impact are transparent and compelling to all staff, especially teachers closest to the work of the classroom. This fall, Nancy is taking on a new role as assistant principal of Rudsdale Continuation High School, which serves older students, many of whom are Newcomer multilingual learners and benefit from an alternative route to graduation. Nancy earned her B.A. in English and Studio Art at Dartmouth College, and her Ed.M. in Teaching & Learning from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In her free time, she enjoys making elaborate spreadsheets to plan trips, track her attendance at live music and stand-up, and “progress monitor” her goal of completing 101 Bay Area hikes. She sporadically hunts for a very specific early 20th century typewriter.

As a child, Serenity Luckett dreamed of being a teacher, and in 2001, she began her teaching career with the philosophy that all children have infinite potential. She taught for four years before beginning a new role in 2007, serving as the Network Communications Director for The Parents’ Campaign, a 501c3 committed to working with lawmakers to fully fund and rally support for public education. Luckett led community engagement events across the state, where she saw firsthand the need for strong leadership in at-risk schools. In response, she applied to the first cohort of the University of Mississippi’s Principal Corps, graduating in 2010 with a master’s degree. Luckett put her education into practice as the principal of Brown Elementary School in the Jackson Public School District, where achievement levels rose from a ‘D’ to a ‘B’ under her tenure. In 2014-2015, Ms. Luckett was awarded the Partners in Education Principal of the Year and Brown was named a Model PBIS site and a Most Improved School in Mississippi. Ms. Luckett moved to Madison County Schools as Assistant Principal of Old Town Middle School in 2016, followed by selection as principal of Highland Elementary School in 2018. In three years, Ms. Luckett transformed the school from a decade of low C performance to an A rating in the state accountability model. In 2023, Ms. Luckett was recognized as the Madison County Administrator of the Year and as the State of Mississippi Administer of the Year Runner Up. In 2024, Ms. Luckett was selected to participate in the PREPS CEO Leadership Academy. Serenity Luckett pours her heart into her teachers and students. She loves serving as the leader of Highland Elementary and remains honored and humbled to be selected as a recipient of the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Award. 

Melissa (Missy) McClurg is an Instructional and School Improvement Coach at Lima City Schools in Northwestern Ohio.  She previously served as a Personalized Learning Specialist for the Northwest Ohio Region working for Mercer County Educational Service Center in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Melissa has been an educator for 20 years teaching all subjects, grade levels and disabilities as an Intervention Specialist as well as Accounting, Business and Computers College Credit Plus teacher. Melissa is a Google Champion for Education and Certified Innovator as well as a $2 million dollar grant writer and project manager providing students unique learning experiences. As an educator and advisor Melissa brought students all across the country competing in Future Business Leaders of America and facilitated her student run laser tag and escape room flash businesses, a news broadcast program, and school spirit store. Through her Mentors3 Community Connector program, her students connected with 50 businesses through a triangular mentorship to solve community problems and invest back in their community. Melissa is an Ohio Department of Education Spotlight on Education Award and Northwest Ohio Great Kindness Challenge award winner as well as a multiyear presenter for the Ohio Educational Tech Conference, Chromebook Institute, and Ohio Career Connections Conference. Melissa holds a Certified Public Accountant License and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Based Coach. In her spare time, Melissa loves to travel and has been to all 50 states and 27 countries. 

Joyce Pulphus, a native Chicagoan, has worked for the New York City Public Schools since 2006. She attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate studies and joined Teach for America (TFA) upon graduation. As a New York City Corps member Joyce began her teaching career as a middle school math teacher in the Bronx. She later earned a master’s degree from Pace University (NYC Campus) and Teachers College at Columbia University, and an advanced certification from Hunter College School of Education. Joyce is an alumna of the New York City Leadership Academy. Since joining New York City Public Schools, Joyce has taught and held leadership positions throughout the Bronx in middle and high schools located in multiple school districts. Joyce is currently the principal of Bronx Design & Construction Academy, a CTE high school located in the south Bronx. She is committed to expanding the school to establish a middle school pipeline program for 7th and 8th grade students to learn and engage in CTE career pathways prior to entering high school and continues to work on solidifying college partnerships to enhance the post-secondary collegiate support and success for Bronx Design students and alumni. Joyce is a Gray Fellow (2021), and a Cahn Fellow (2022).

Maggie Staley has dedicated 25 years to the field of education, impacting the lives of countless students through her roles as both a teacher and administrator. With extensive experience teaching elementary and middle school, Maggie transitioned to leadership, serving as a principal for a decade. Her innovative spirit led to the creation of a new play-based school and program in Central Point, Oregon, reflecting her deep commitment to developmentally appropriate teaching methods and the power of play in learning. As a proud mother of three amazing adult children, Maggie balances her professional achievements with a rich and fulfilling family life. She loves the outdoors and finds inspiration in nature, which she incorporates into her educational philosophy. Maggie’s passion for nurturing young minds and fostering engaging, playful educational environments continues to inspire educators and students alike.

Matthew Swanson is an assistant principal at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, where he plays a key role in managing operations and supporting a diverse community of 2,200+ students, 150+ faculty members, and 75+ staff members. Inspired by his high school math teacher, he pursued degrees in Mathematics Education and Educational Leadership and has dedicated nearly two decades to education. He is known for his problem-solving skills and positive attitude, striving to support students, parents, and staff while navigating the complex rules and regulations of a large school district. He handles building operations, budget management, personnel issues, and daily needs of the main office, ensuring a well-organized and highly communicative environment. One of his notable initiatives includes creating the Whitney Young University, a professional development program where staff share expertise through workshops. He also launched the Whitney Young Weekly newsletter, which has become an essential communication tool for over 15,000 recipients, providing updates and fostering a sense of community among students, parents, faculty, and staff. Outside of work, he is an avid news reader, enjoys traveling—having visited Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and various parts of Europe—and loves walking along the Chicago River and lakefront with his partner and two dogs. 

Marcos Whyte was born in the Republic of Panama and was brought to the United States in 1980 where he grew up in Miami, FL. Mr. Whyte enjoys spending every free moment with his wife, Kerima; daughter, Michelle; and his son, Marcos Gabriel. Mr. Whyte’s experiences includes: Middle and High School Assistant Principal, Company Commander and Healthcare Administrator in the Army Reserves (Medical Service Corp), Spanish Teacher, Soccer Coach, Law Enforcement Officer specializing in Child Abuse Investigations, Counselor, and College Administrator.