Meet our 2025 Fulbright Distinguished Teachers
Research & Community Project
Quick facts
PI and Program Director: Hairong Shang-Butler,
Co-PI and Cultural Liaison: Nathaniel Bloemke
Collaborators:
Brighton Central School District: Council Rock Primary School, Twelve Corners Middle School
Rochester City School District: Rochester International Academy, School without Walls
Rush Henrietta Central School District: Rush Henrietta Senior High School
Independent School: The Harley School of Rochester
Funding: The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs
Overview
The , sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, brings international primary and secondary teachers to the United States for a semester-long program to pursue individual or group projects, take courses for professional development at a U.S. host university, and observe and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues.
The Warner School is serving as a host institution for this program in 2025, bringing 23 Fulbright Teachers from 15 countries to Rochester, New York. The Warner School also partners with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ's and to enhance the Fulbright program by contributing to student life programming and co-curricular activities.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.
Kristine Joan Barredo
Home country: Philippines
Years teaching: 22
Teaching discipline(s): Science
Teaching level: Elementary, grades 4-6
Research topic: Zap the Gap: Leveraging Instructional Scaffolding to Bridge Conceptual Learning Gaps in Science
Stella Maris Basemera
Home country: Uganda
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): Mathematics
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Mathematics Education Innovation Through Storytelling and Mentorship: Captain Miss Math Comic Approach
Nourelhouda Bouhaissa
Home country: Morocco
Years teaching: 12
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: High School
Research topic: Digital Divide
Salah Boutouil
Home country: Morocco
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): English as a Foreign Language
Teaching level: Tertiary (students aged 18-20)
Research topic: Artificial Intelligence and Language Education: Exploring Perceptions and Practices of Teachers and Students
Sonaleeca Das
Home country: India
Years teaching: 20
Teaching discipline(s): Biological Science
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Understanding Development of Reflection as a Skill for Meaning Making Among Middle School Learners in Science Subject
Boubacar Diallo
Home country: Senegal
Years teaching: 16
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: Grades 6-12
Research topic: Using Technology in Teaching and Assessment
Alma Rosa Dominguez Cordova
Home country: Mexico
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): English as a Foreign Language
Teaching level: University
Research topic: Materials Design
Christos Fragkos
Home country: Greece
Years teaching: 18
Teaching discipline(s): Computer Science
Teaching level: Primary
Research topic: Teaching Computer Science on the Doorstep of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Jefrey P. Honrado
Home country: Philippines
Years teaching: 8
Teaching discipline(s): Language Education
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Localizing Intercultural Teaching Strategies Through Dialogue and Practice for Language Learning Innovation
Chung Ying (Joannie) Huang
Home country: Taiwan
Years teaching: 7
Teaching discipline(s): Computer Science (ICT)
Teaching level: Grades 7-9
Research topic: 1. AI Literacy in Multi-Disciplines 2. Transforming Programming Learning in GAI
Rima Ibdah
Home country: Israel
Years teaching: 9
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: First and secondary schools
Research topic: Second/Third Language Acquisition and Development, Comparing Bilinguals, Monolinguals, and DLD Learners
Jouni Kupiainen
Home country: Finland
Years teaching: 30
Teaching discipline(s): Visual Art, ICT
Teaching level: Middle school
Research topic: Comics in Education: Teaching Methods and Youth Engagement
Debora Marinho
Home country: Brazil
Years teaching: 20
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Writing - Create an Environment that Inspires Students to Write in English
Denise Nakitto
Home country: Uganda
Years teaching: 7
Teaching discipline(s): English and Vocational Education
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Utilizing Video-Documentary Storytelling to Bridge Socio-Economic Gaps in Access to Education: A Case Study of Resource Advocacy in Underserved Communities
Jessica Negreiros
Home country: Brazil
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Representation Matters: the Importance of Incorporating Diversity in the Classroom to Promote Inclusion, Cultural Awareness, Encourage Acceptance, and to Build an Education Environment that is Truly Welcoming to Everyone
Ratna Siti Nurhayati
Home country: Indonesia
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): Science
Teaching level: Secondary, grades 7-9
Research topic: Developing a Comprehensive Set of Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources that Incorporate DI (Differentiated Instruction) Strategies for Teaching Science in Large Class Sizes
Trihartita Palimbong
Home country: Indonesia
Years teaching: 5
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: Secondary, high school
Research topic: The Integration of Gamification Core Principles in Reading Activities to Enhance Students' Literacy Skills
Eleanor Paremain (Ella)
Home country: United Kingdom
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): English Literature and Language
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Fostering Belonging and Participation in the Classroom
Gillian Rathari
Home country: Botswana
Years teaching: 10
Teaching discipline(s): Sewing Skills
Teaching level: Tertiary
Research topic: Global Trending Strategies to Make an After-School Program More Appealing and Marketable to Bridge the Illiteracy and Poverty Gap in Disadvantaged Communities
Shusmita Shyama
Home country: Bangladesh
Years teaching: 7
Teaching discipline(s): English, Communications, and Literature
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Blended Learning Approaches- Meeting the Needs of Students outside Traditional Classrooms
Adam Smith
Home country: United Kingdom
Years teaching: 6
Teaching discipline(s): Mathematics
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: The Impact of Mathematics Anxiety on Cross-Curricular Education
Nilam Thakkar
Home country: India
Years teaching: 16
Teaching discipline(s): Math & Regional Language (Special Education)
Teaching level: Primary
Research topic: Sustainable Interventions to Enhance Students’ Cognitive Skills, Motivation, and Self-Confidence
Ika Wulandari
Home country: Indonesia
Years teaching: 4
Teaching discipline(s): English
Teaching level: Secondary
Research topic: Enhancing Students’ English Communication Skills to Support Soft Skills in the Workplace
Hairong Shang-Butler, PI and Program Director
Hairong Shang-Butler is an associate professor of teaching and curriculum at the Warner School. She is the PI and Program Director of the Fulbright Cultural, Pedagogical, and Dr. Hairong Shang-Butler is an Associate Professor of Teaching and Curriculum at the Warner School of Education. She serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) and Program Director of the Fulbright Cultural, Pedagogical, and Linguistic Exchange Program (2025, 2024)) and previously as Co-PI and Cultural Liaison for the same Fulbright grant in 2023. Dr. Shang-Butler directs the International Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program and is affiliated with the Center for Learning in the Digital Age (LiDA). She is deeply committed to bringing global perspectives to local contexts and serving the community through education. Her work emphasizes promoting mutual understanding across cultures and empowering underrepresented populations through language and learning. She is also the PI of a Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant that delivers Workplace English programs to refugees and immigrants across Western New York, advancing employment, health, and educational equity for underrepresented communities.
Nathaniel Bloemke, Co-PI
Nathaniel Bloemke is the Interim Associate Director for Support and Engagement in the International Services Office at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. In this role, he oversees programs that assist international students and scholars with integration, peer mentorship, and campus belonging efforts. Nate serves as Co-PI and Cultural Liaison for the Warner Fulbright Distinguished Teachers program, collaborating closely with faculty and campus offices to coordinate immersive cultural and educational experiences. His work focuses on creating inclusive support systems and fostering community for global participants at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ.
Lamya F. Almomani
Lamya F. Almomani is the Graduate Assistant at the Warner School of Education, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, where she supports the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program. In this role, she coordinates program logistics, cultural and community engagement events. Lamya is also pursuing an Ed.D in Educational Administration: Higher Education at the Warner School—an advanced program that prepares experienced educators for leadership roles and higher-education faculty positions. As a doctoral student, she is currently exploring areas of interest within higher education leadership, including global learning, student engagement, and the design of inclusive learning environments. In addition to her Fulbright responsibilities, Lamya serves as Co-Chair of the Higher Education Student Association (HESA), where she leads mentorship and community-building initiatives that strengthen belonging and collaboration among graduate students. A passionate community builder, Lamya is dedicated to fostering meaningful intercultural learning experiences and promoting inclusive environments for international students and educators.
Yu Jung Han
Dr. Yu Jung Han is an assistant professor with the Center for Learning in the Digital Age. Her research explores how generative AI is mediating language teaching, learning, and research. She has taught English in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. for over 10 years. She serves as the technology seminar coordinator on the Fulbright DAI program.
Kristen Love
Kristen Love is an Assistant Professor and Program Director for Early Childhood and Childhood Programs at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s Warner School of Education. She also serves as an affiliate faculty member with the Learning in the Digital Age (LiDA) initiative and as the education discipline coordinator for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. With a strong background in early childhood, childhood, and special education, Dr. Love serves as the School-Site Coordinator for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching (DA1) Program, supporting international educators in their U.S.-based academic and professional experiences.
Heidi Mergenthaler
Heidi Mergenthaler is the Global Visitor Program Manager at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. She works within the International Services Office (ISO), where she manages programs that support visiting students and international exchange participants, including the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program. Heidi plays a central role in facilitating cultural programming, logistical coordination, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure a meaningful and welcoming experience for international educators and scholars. With a background in global engagement and program management, Heidi is dedicated to fostering international understanding and promoting cultural exchange across the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ community.
Yadi Zhang
Yadi Zhang is the Program Coordinator of the Fulbright DAI program at Warner. Yadi is a doctoral student at Warner and an English as a Second Language teacher whose work centers on community-based adult ESL and digital learning. At Warner, she has supported trauma-informed Workplace English classes for refugees and immigrants funded by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and contributed to LiDA (Learning in the Digital Age) initiatives and colloquia. Her recent collaborations include projects using natural-language processing to analyze public health discourse as part of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s data science/CTSI efforts. Originally from Beijing, she brings cross-cultural classroom experience and a commitment to equitable language education.