Connecticut

Bonnie Nietupski is a Spanish teacher for Glastonbury Public Schools and the Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator for the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers. She has taught all levels of Spanish, including Elementary, High School, and University of Connecticut Early College Experience courses. She holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut, an M.A. in Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures from Central Connecticut State University, and a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of Connecticut. She is certified in Spanish, TESOL, and Social Studies. She is participating in the NECTFL Language Educators Advancing the Profession (LEAP) Academy and is a Fund for Teachers fellow. She gives professional development presentations on a variety of world language topics. As the CT COLT Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, she is eager to collaborate with community-based heritage language schools.

Email: NietupskiB@ctcolt.org

 Idaho

Danyelle Quincy Davis holds a BA in French/German and an MAEd from the University of Nebraska and an EdS from Boise State University in Idaho. She has been a French teacher at Sage International School of Boise since it opened in 2010. Danyelle serves on the board of her own state organization, IATLC (Idaho Association of Teachers of Language and Culture), as well as NNELL (National Network for Early Language Learning), where she recently became President elect. She is a LILL Cohort 4 graduate and represents Idaho as an associate member to NCSSFL. Danyelle believes strongly in the power of organizations like NNELL and The Coalition to connect teachers, strengthen practice, facilitate leadership development and promote broad synergistic collaboration across learning environments for the benefit of all learners. She lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband of 20+ years (Randy) and her children (Graeme and Claire).

Email: danyelle.davis@sageintl.org

Minnesota

Ayumi Stockman, Ed. S., & M.A. in ESL, is the World Languages Education Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Prior to joining the MDE in March 2020, she was the World Languages Specialist, Arabic and Chinese Extended Sequence Project coordinator, and Japanese and ESL teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools for almost 20 years. During her time at the Minneapolis Public Schools, she supported teachers and programs of various languages including ASL, Arabic, Chinese, Native American languages, and heritage languages such as Hmong and Somali. Her expertise includes curriculum development, teacher professional development, instructional support, and equitable implementation of the Minnesota Bilingual Seals program.

Email: ayumi.stockman@state.mn.us

Texas

Amber Malik Sheikh, Ed.D., is a visionary educator, social entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for civic and cultural education. As founder of two Dallas-based non-profits, GEM Academy and ALIA, an accredited world language school offering Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu, she creates transformative learning experiences that empower students through experiential learning. With more than 20 years of experience leading innovative education projects and curating global travel programs, Amber is dedicated to preparing students to become confident global citizens and leaders who can succeed in a connected world. She holds a Doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership, a Master’s in Hospitality and Asset Management, and a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Marketing. She is especially focused on advancing access to heritage language education. She seeks to collaborate with other accredited heritage language schools in Texas to advocate for the recognition of heritage language credits by the Texas Education Agency. She envisions a future in which all school districts provide students the flexibility to study their heritage languages while earning world language credits in middle and high school.

Email: amber@gemcenters.org

Virginia

Lisa A. Harris, Ph.D., is the Coordinator for World Languages and International Education at the Virginia Department of Education. She has been in the education field for over 30 years, serving as a classroom teacher, middle school assistant principal, district coordinator for world languages, director for curriculum and instruction, and project manager for school improvement. In 2015, she was named State Supervisor of the Year by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL). Dr. Harris received a B.A. in Foreign Languages from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech. She has conducted numerous trainings and professional development workshops in the field of world language education and serves on the advisory board for several national world language groups.

Email: lisa.harris@doe.virginia.gov

Washington

Ema Shirk is the Heritage and Dual Language Program Supervisor and Multilingual Education State Supervisor in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Washington state. She is a heritage and dual language specialist and an advocate for effective multilingual programing. Her work is focused on the development of sustainable PreK-12 programs that ensure access to all heritage learners. She is very interested in connecting community-based schools with public and private schools so that we can celebrate the learning that our students do together.

Email: ema.shirk@k12.wa.us