About the Staff

Susannah Bechtel is a Curriculum Writer with the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Susannah has worked on a wide range of topics for the Choices Program and has served as the lead writer for a human rights curriculum. She is a 2007 graduate of Tufts University where she majored in International Relations.

Andy Blackadar is Curriculum Development Director for the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Andy is a former high school teacher with experience teaching in the United States and Brazil. Andy holds a BA in English from Bates College and a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University.

Emmett FitzGerald is a Curriculum Writer with the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. He is a 2010 graduate of Brown University with a combined degree in Literary Arts and History.

Kathleen Magiera is the Program Coordinator for the Choices Program.

Susan Graseck is Director of the Choices Program and a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Her areas of interest include renewal of American democracy, education, and civic engagement in international and public policy. Susan came to Brown University in 1988 to start the Choices Program. Prior to coming to Brown, Susan taught at the elementary and secondary levels and then served as director of a small national foundation where she focused on civic engagement around international issues.

Jillian McGuire Turbitt is the Communications and Marketing Specialist for the Choices Program. Prior to joining Choices, she served as Manager of Student Relations for the Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. She received her M.Ed. in Educational Media and Technology from Boston University.

Mimi Stephens is Professional Development Director for the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Prior to joining the Choices Program, Mimi worked at Clark University where she served as the Director of the Teacher Center for Global Studies supporting K12 social studies teachers throughout Massachusetts for more than 20 years. Mimi holds a Masters in International Development and Social Change from Clark University.

Tanya Waldburger is the Video and New Media Producer for the Choices Program. Prior to joining Choices in 2009, Tanya worked for seven years as an editor and producer with a New York commercial production house. She holds a BA in Modern Culture and Media and has done additional work at the New York Film Academy.

Consultants

Sarah Massey is a Writing Fellow with the Choices Program. She is a former member of the Choices writing team. She holds a BA in Sociology and Economics from Wesleyan University and an MA cum laude in Development Studies from the University of kwa–Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa.

Allie Surdovel is working on digital content development for the Choices Program. Allie holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design where she majored in Illustration. She is active in commissioned work including murals, advertising, and book illustration.

Teaching Fellows

Choices Teaching Fellows are classroom teachers who have participated in Choices institutes and/or ongoing professional development and are actively involved with the Choices Program. Teaching Fellows offer workshops, lead professional learning communities, contribute to curriculum development, and write articles.

Stacy Brown – Hampton, NH

Grace Bruni – New York, NY

Tony Hurt – Seoul, South Korea

Rita Jordan-Keller – Media, PA

Kelly Keogh – Normal, IL

Ron Levitsky – Lake Forest, IL

Mert Martens – Ponca City, OK

Karen Michel – New York, NY

Lucy Mueller – Wakefield, RI

Martina Musich – New York, NY

Josh Otlin – Hudson, MA

Rachel Otty – Cambridge, MA

William Plumb – Laramie, WY

Karen Roberts – Miami, FL

Sarah Roeske – Stafford, VA

Steven Seltz – Brooklyn, NY

Sarah Benis Scheier-Dolburg – New York, NY

Jessica Waltman – Houston, TX

Todd Wallingford – Hudson, MA

Micki Ward – Riverside, CA

Barbara Williams – Sierra Vista, AZ

Evelyn Williams – Washington County School District, MD