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2025-2026 Teaching With Improvisation Fellows
The Inspired Teaching Teaching with Improvisation Fellows are educators from public, public charter, and independent schools in Washington, DC and the DMV area. During the 2025-2026 school year, they’ll continue building on the learning they began during the Summer 2025 Institute and bring the Inspired Teaching Approach to their colleagues through professional development workshops and resources.
Learn more about the 2025-2026 Fellows and the Problems of Practice they will work towards solving in the year ahead.
Lena Brown
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“Despite my present situation, how do I maintain a future focused mindset? Especially when I ask my middle schoolers to set goals and they create crazy or concerning goals(ie. to be a ‘baby daddy’).”
Sondra Kelley
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can improvisation assist in creating a classroom environment that empowers nonverbal students to engage, belong, and grow with confidence?”
Paul Tarrance
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can we bridge the gap between curriculum and interest in the math classroom?”
Tamara Ashton
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can students choose responses to distractions and advocate for themselves in ways that uplift our learning?”
Francese Brooks
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“What is the most effective way to manage unsafe or unsatisfactory behavior well also supporting everyone else in the class? And how do I manage reentry of students after they have been removed from the class? Focus on self management. How do I use the ABCDEs to accomplish this goal? How do I say yes and to accomplish this goal?”
Stanley Absher
Washington, DC
Takiyah Carroll
Washington, DC
Asia Dabney
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How do we reach marginalized families, giving them more agency making all families feel welcomed and a send of belonging in the school community?”
Jennifer Deal
Rappahannock, VA
Problem of Practice
“How can I create a sense of community with my students, with empathy and acceptance for everyone?”
Andrea Durio
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“What do I need from my teacher, my peers, and myself to show up as my best self in class?”
Alicia Galvan
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I support independence and engagement in the classroom with my co-teachers?”
Laura Gazit
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I increase motivation in students?”
Amy Grady
Rappahannock, VA
Problem of Practice
“How can I make transition times less chaotic?”
Emily Hall
McLean, VA
Problem of Practice
“How can I make transition times less chaotic?”
Alicia Jones
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I foster critical thinking skills to build resiliency?”
Ashley Kareithi
Washington, DC
Kenneth Addo
Washington, DC
Flora Lerenman
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How to teach self-awareness to young children in developmentally appropriate way? And how does my (student’s) presence/way of being affect others?”
Daniel Mwavua
Washington, DC
Leah Pearson
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I support behavior throughout the day before it escalates?”
Alfons Prince
Washington, DC
Terri Robinson
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I create an environment that makes my students feel comfortable enough to speak up and share?”
Ya'ara Robinzon
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I increase motivation in students?”
Sharn Rodriguez
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I better support young learners and developing self-management, especially when new students enter the school? How can I build a foundation to make independent choices with an rigid schedule? I want routines and visuals. I want intrinsic motivation.”
Tess Ross-Callahan
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“What does it mean to “embrace diversity” in our crew?”
Chrys Seawood
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How can I be more responsible for my learning?”
Sallie Shackleford
Rappahannock, VA
Problem of Practice
“How can I shift ownership of the learning from the teacher to the students?”
Kena Allison
Washington, DC
Amy Wensel
Rappahannock, VA
Problem of Practice
“What can I do to promote SEL and academic growth in my students?”
Takeisha Wilson
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How do I create stronger relationships with students and keep them fully engaged in each lesson so learning can be impactful while fun?”
Amy Wopat
Washington, DC
Problem of Practice
“How listening, build community, affects relationship with one another, in middle school? How to ensure students rely more on themselves and less on me?”
Thank you to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for its support of this program.