Meet the Senegal Cohort

Meet the Senegal Cohort

Our group of 10 educators are traveling to Senegal together on April 17 and will return May 2. Below are the bios written by each member. Fellows are listed in alphabetical order, by first name.

Caitlin Rasmussen

This is Caitlin, Columbia, SC resident but Atlanta, GA native currently in her 11th year of teaching mostly high school English, this year English I, English II H, and the journalism/newspaper class.  

My personal passion for travel has somehow oft imbued my professional life --e.g. studying abroad in England, teaching ESOL in the Czech Republic for a year, touring a school in Iceland, teaching World Lit, visiting literary landmarks on my travels when possible--and I hope to parlay what I learn from TGC about globalizing classroom into my doctoral pursuits with a potential focus on global education issues as they relate to my content area. 

For my students, I hope to contextualize their small semi-rural community within a broader worldwide landscape, to connect them with students in another part of the world, and to encourage curiosity and kindness rather than fear and hatred towards others who share their planet.  I also hope to learn about travel opportunities for students, similar to what TGC offers for teachers but for students.  

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, playing games, surf fishing, leisurely bike riding, and watching reality TV.  My husband and I live in downtown Columbia with our two pets, a tabby named Mona and black lab named Odin.  

Debora Morgan

I'm Debra Morgan, but everyone calls me Deb. I teach 1st grade at Three Oaks Elementary in Virginia Beach, VA.  I have also taught 2nd and 4th grades and for many years 3rd grade. This is my 20th year of teaching, but I'm older! LOL! I had my children first. Once my youngest was in first grade I went back to school at Norfolk State University, in Norfolk, VA to become a teacher.

I grew up in Seattle Washington, but am happy to be in Virginia Beach close to my sons and grandchildren. In fact, two of my grandchildren attend my school so I see them every day!  

I love to travel and I'll go anywhere! I have traveled all over the United States and Canada. I've been to Europe and New Zealand. At the top of my Bucket List is visiting Africa and specifically  Pete's pond in Botswana (I use the live cam in my classroom) and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya (our first graders raised money to foster baby elephants).

I have a passion for Global Education and am excited to learn more to help my classroom, my school, and my district. Looking forward to a year of new experiences with new friends!

Gina Whitcomb

Role: K-6 Digital Learning Coach

School: Roosevelt Elementary School (STEAM focus)

Location: Anaheim, CA

Gina Whitcomb has served in many roles in the last 17 years in elementary classrooms including 4th-grade classroom teacher, curriculum coach and is now serving as a digital learning coach. As a digital learning coach, Gina helps teachers and students integrate the use of technology in kindergarten through 6th-grade classrooms, while also supporting curriculum and 21st-century skills. Gina is an active member of her school site, helping train parents and teachers in the use of technology in addition to supporting district trainings as well. Gina received bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 1998 and a Master’s degree in Teaching with a reading specialization in 2002. She received National Board Certification in 2003. Gina is married and has two sons, and her hobbies include running and watching her son race speedway motorcycles. Her primary objectives for participating in TGC are to develop her leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of strategies in global education to better prepare her teachers and students and to gain insight and knowledge from the international field experience to bring back to her teaching community.

Wild and Wacky Facts: I am semi-fluent in sign language, I used to play the flute and the oboe, I have an extra vertebrae in my back (so I have 207 bones in my body!) and I am a sucker for warm, hot, fresh donuts!

Matt Hoffman

Echo, my golden, is passed out next to my feet. She is now snoring. Technically, she is not allowed on furniture, or at least that is what we tell people, but it’s a total lie. She goes wherever we go, which includes the bed.

My bed has lived in many different homes over the years. I decided I was sick of moving my bed all over, so I went out and bought a house. My life has been consumed by this purchase, for I spend a good portion of my time remodeling this little gem. I am 29 years old and have been teaching for 7 years, but this is the first time in my life I feel like a real adult. I mean, I talk about gutters and mortgage insurance now. My days off consist of chilling at Menards. Weird. I feel like my dad. Weird.

Anyway, this house thing is starting to settle down, and I am finally getting Matt back. Heading to the Porkies and Copper Harbor this weekend to do a bit of camping and mountain biking. Excited to spend some time with my girlfriend, Jane, and my dog, Echo. I haven’t been camping since July when I backpacked through the Smoky Mountains for five days. Met some cool people on the trail, scared some bears, and was able to unplug for a bit, so all in all, it was a success. As the summer starts to die down, I’m getting bummed that I won’t be able to bike and camp in the upcoming months, but at least I will get to cross country ski on the sweet trails we have around the area. Skiing is probably my favorite sport. Softball, biking, and disc are all important to me, but skiing allows me to zen out in frigid weather. I dig it.

Echo is still snoring. Dogs have no shame, which makes them pretty refreshing to be around. Right now I am listening to a lot of Devil Makes Three, Trampled by Turtles, and The Wood Brothers. They are all kind of folky/americana/bluegrassy, but I listen to everything and enjoy all genres. I’ve been digging Drake Pandora lately. Actually, every time I bike down lakeshore, I listen to Drake. Not sure why, but Superior and Drake make a pretty dynamic duo.

I like my job, which allows me to be happy on a daily basis. Thinking, reading, watching films, writing, and of course, chilling on the beach in the summer all fit well with my lifestyle, so like I said, my job makes me pretty content. 

Margaret Thomas

Hi everyone, I am a special education teacher at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in the nation’s capital, America’s first public high school for black students. The school is named for the famous African American poet. I teach freshmen, sophomores and juniors with specific learning and emotional needs that negatively impact how they access and process information. On average, there are 10 students in my class. I am an active member of the school’s special education team where I have established a weekly mindfulness session to promote emotional well-being and balance for students and colleagues. I received my first degree in journalism from Howard University and a Master’s degree in secondary education, from American University.   When I am not teaching, I am reading, writing, or searching travel sites for the best airfare to my next destination. I am married to a wonderful Liberian man.

I value the richness and diversity of culture and by participating in TGC I hope to improve my understanding of international education. In addition, I hope to gain knowledge on best practices to help my students appreciate, explore, and become active participants in the global community.

Nan Williams

Hello!  I have been in education for the past 27 years.  I have taught grades k-3 in traditional, bilingual, and  dual immersion.  For the past three years, I have been in charge of our school's STEAM program.  I work with all 1st-5th graders with anything STEAM related.  We have a STEAM Lab, a MakerSpace, and school gardens.  When I'm not teaching, I am spending time with my family and friends,  exploring the outdoors, reading a good book, or planning the next adventure.  This past summer I traveled to Hong Kong and Thailand with my husband, Arn and our two sons, Quinn and Kel.  I am very excited for the next adventure!

 Favorite food - Ice cream and red wine

Favorite Book - There are so many but I've always loved: Rain of Gold

Song Lyric - Singing' don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Comic - The Legend of Prince Valiant (I'm married to Arn - who was named after Prince Arn)

Favorite Travel Destination: I'm drawn to Spanish Speaking Countries, but I love discovering new places!

Roy Bartnick

I am a fifth grade teacher in Enid Oklahoma.  I entered teaching through the Troops to Teachers Program after retiring from the Army after serving 22 years. I am very vested in trying to bring technology and then integrate it into all areas of the curriculum for small isolated rural schools that lack the professional development resources to do it on their own. I constantly seek out new ways to bring the world into our isolated classrooms. 

Recently, was selected to be the Teacher Under the Sea and spent a week living and working with scientists in Aquarius an undersea habitat off the coast of Florida studying sharks.

I am an avid SCUBA diver and love to build Lego Star Wars sets.  My hobbies include robotics, reading, and learning new things.

Sonja Kosanovic

My name is Sonja Kosanovic. I have worked in a variety of roles in education for the last 25 years. I am currently working as a special education facilitator in a high school where I push in and pull out students to provide additional supports. I also earned my National Board Certification in 2013. 

I am married and have an 8 year old daughter who is in 3rd grade. I enjoy fitness and reading and movies and travel.

Tara Kennedy

Tara Kennedy is an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher in Minneapolis. Though Tara has taught at all grade levels her current assignment is teaching Level 1 ESL at an all immigrant high school. Her students are 17-21 years old, many with limited prior schooling. Tara is on the Instructional Leadership Team at her school and the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Committee for the district. She has hosted several student teachers from a nearby university.  Tara received a bachelor’s degree in Chinese from the University of Minnesota in 1989 and a Master’s degree English as a Second Language from the University of St. Thomas in 2009; in 2011 she received a graduate certificate in reading from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Tara lives in Minneapolis with her husband and youngest son. Her older son lives nearby.  She likes to read, go to the theater and watch Bollywood movies. Her reasons for applying to TGC are to gain an insight into global perspectives and to translate those into her teaching methodology. 

Tilotamma (Tinty) Bose

I am an educator by profession and a dancer and writer by passion. I am also a mother of two. My children and my students help me evolve as a person every day. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, I majored in Economics from Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata and after immigrating to this great nation, I earned my Master’s in Political Science from University of Southern Mississippi. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. I teach history in an urban, alternative high school in Trenton School District in NJ.  I am actively involved with a community organization which empowers underprivileged children by raising funds for their education.  I am also the founder and creative director of a dance company Kalyanni (which means Blessings), where we perform free of cost for community and fundraising events. I also recently formed an informal group, Helping Hand, to reach out to those in need of non-monetary support. I also write poetry and have a blog where I have published some of my work. My writings were recently published in community based online journals. I am honored to be a part of a vibrant global community of educators. I am looking forward to an inspiring exchange of ideas and thoughts which will help my students in an enriching journey upward.

Our iRex representative: Dieynabou (Dee)

Dieynabou Barry works as Program Coordinator on the Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (TGC) and Alumni Programming. Prior to joining IREX, she served as a City Year AmeriCorps member at I.S.123x, a middle school in the South Bronx. With the mission of dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline in the U.S., she worked with students to improve attendance, behavior, and course performance. She received her bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College where she studied Geography and Sociology with an emphasis on international and urban development, and social inequities and justice.