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Lynna Martinez, M.Ed.

Lynna Martinez, M.Ed.

Lynna is a graduate of the National Hispana Leadership Institute. She earned a B.A. from The Ohio State University and earned her masters in Educational Policy and Administration at Carnegie Mellon University.

Lynna has passionately worked in a variety of capacities aiding the advancement of youth in the fields of educational policy, higher education, and k-12 public school systems. She played a pivotal role as Program Director in the implementation of Ohio’s largest education campaign aimed at closing the achievement gap for Latino students throughout the state, and also served as an Academic Retention Specialist at Carnegie Mellon University.

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2 Audrey Wall

2 Audrey Wall

Audrey Wall is the Head of School at Fusion Global Academy. She received a bachelor’s degree from Strayer University in Human Resource Management and Marketing, and an MS in Management and Leadership. She is currently pursuing an Ed. D in Educational Leadership at Capella University.

Audrey is a passionate lifelong learner who truly believes in the transformational power of education. She brings a wide variety of experiences in education management and leadership to her role and joins the Fusion team from partner school, Futures Academy, where she was a Campus Director in southern California. Audrey is excited to be a part of the virtual learning team as she earned 2 degrees 100% online and uniquely understands the perils and delights of online learning. Audrey feels privileged to work with students as they chart new paths and reach their academic goals during their time at Fusion Global Academy.

Audrey and her husband, Andrew, are the parents of five children, ages 15-23 and most recently, the doting grandparents of one grandson, Ty. Given the opportunity, you will find Audrey working out in her home gym, dubbed the “Gainz Garage” with her boys, exploring the trails and parks with her dog, Ralph, or curled up on the couch with a good book. She is also an avid Lego builder and loves to discuss superheroes and the finer points of Olympic weightlifting. If you get the chance, be sure to ask Audrey about her newest passion, goat yoga!

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7 Rusie, Cassandra

7 Rusie, Cassandra

Cassandra is the Director of Virtual Instruction at Fusion Global Academy. She graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and History, Eastern Michigan University with a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, and the University of Pennsylvania with a graduate certificate in virtual online teaching.

As a teacher, Cassandra taught English courses at middle and high schools throughout Metro Detroit, Michigan. She piloted a blending learning program for at-risk students in the alternative setting before starting her career in fully-online education at a public online charter school serving students across the state of Michigan. There, Cassandra served many roles, including English teacher, English Content Coach, and High School Assistant Principal.

When she’s not at work, Cassandra enjoys volunteering at schools, churches, and with civic organizations in her community. She can often be found participating in various events and documenting them in photos.

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4 Talkington, Justin

4 Talkington, Justin

Justin Talkington is the Director of Global Community of Fusion Global Academy and Fusion Education Group. He is a New York City-based Education Administrator, Artist, Teacher, and Mentor committed to relationship-centered learning, joy generating community building, social/emotional wellness, and energetic academic improvement.

A proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Justin has toured nationally with five-time Grammy-nominated singer, pianist, and music revivalist Michael Feinstein. Justin is also a voice and acting Mentor at Spot-On Arts Academy, resident vocal artist for Spot-On Entertainment, and performs with symphonies across the country.

Justin began his Fusion Academy journey on the Park Avenue campus in 2015. Originally joining the Park Avenue admin team as a part-time Scheduling Assistant, Justin has since served as a teacher/mentor in Physical Education and Performing Arts, Community Minds Lead, Wellness Lead, East Coast Learning and Development training coach, Interim Director of Student Development, Interim Assistant Director, and Electives Department Head. Justin is currently joyously serving as the Director of Global Community for Fusion Education Group and Fusion Global Academy and maintaining his National title in both Physical Education and Performing Arts for Fusions across the country.

When he is not teaching or spreading some Fusion sunshine, Justin can be found writing or sketching in a nearby coffee shop, training for a fitness competition, escaping the craziness of the city and exploring in nature, spending time with friends and family, or most likely singing and dancing down the sidewalk.

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Lauren Lock

Lauren Lock

Lauren Lock is the Director of Student Life for Fusion Global Academy. In her role, Lauren oversees the Global Homework Cafe and the vast opportunities for students within the virtual school building. Lauren’s goal is to ensure that students feel seen, heard, and valued each day.   

She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University.  Lauren has been with FGA since July of 2021 and has held roles as both teacher/mentor, and Assistant Director of Student Life. Prior to joining FGA, Lauren taught Physical Education, Health, and Spanish, and was a 6-12 Athletic Director. 

Lauren lives in Colorado with her husband and two Yellow Labs, Sailor and Buoy. Outside of FGA’s virtual hallways, you can almost always find Lauren outside. She loves hiking, mountain biking, camping, and snowboarding.  Lauren also loves to cook, bake, and brew her own kombucha.  

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Katie Hamady

Katie Hamady

Katie Hamady is the Assistant Director of Student Life for Fusion Global Academy.  As Assistant Director of Student Life, she works closely with the Director of Student Life to ensure that each student has a personalized and meaningful experience every time that they log in. Katie collaborates with the academic team to support student growth strategies and planning, in partnership with the Finish Line Friday initiative. Katie is also heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the Global Homework Café.

She received a bachelor’s degree in both elementary education and psychology, and holds a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.  Katie has worked as both an educator and as a therapist and has seen first-hand how relationships and validating emotions can positively impact students in school and beyond.  Katie’s passion for both academics and mental health inspire her to spread awareness about the importance of social and emotional wellbeing and her daily goal is that every person she interacts with feels safe, heard, and accepted.

Katie resides in Illinois with her husband and their fur baby, Stanley.  In her free time, Katie can be found crafting, spending quality time with family and friends, or traveling to the beach in Naples, Florida.

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6 Farrell, Erin

6 Farrell, Erin

Erin Farrell is the Director of Student Development for Fusion Global Academy. She began at the Fusion campus in Princeton, first as the Director of First Impressions and then as the Director of Student Development. Most recently, she worked as the DSD at the Cherry Hill Fusion campus. Erin earned her B.A. in French and Art History from La Salle University in Philadelphia. At La Salle, Erin discovered a passion for art history and went on to earn her M.A. in Art History from the University of Toronto. She then returned to Philadelphia and taught art history at La Salle University and Chestnut Hill College.

Erin is passionate about art museums and writes about museum exhibits for peer-review journals and the online art community. She also believes in the importance of creativity in education and is thrilled to be a part of the Fusion mission for one-to-one education. Outside of school, Erin spends a lot of time with her husband, daughter, and puppies, slowly renovating their home. She also designs greeting cards and invitations in her spare time.

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Madison Szczesniak

Madison Szczesniak

Madison Szczesniak is a Director of Student Development at Fusion Global Academy She has worked at Fusion since 2015, when she started as an Account Specialist in our Billing Department.

She joined the Fusion Global team in 2020 as a Student Development Coordinator and became a Director of Student Development in February of 2022. Madison earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Ferris State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, reading, growing plants, and going to concerts and sporting events.

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Pamela Gerhard

Pamela Gerhard

Pamela Is the Director of First Impressions. Pamela has a Bachelor of Arts Degree she earned from Southern New Hampshire University with a specialized concentration in Marketing. She earned this degree in a fully 100% online capacity. At S.N.H.U. Pamela graduated with high honors, on the Dean’s list, and Summa Cum Laude from S.N.H.U. Pamela received her Associate of Science Degree from N.V.C.C. and graduated Cum Laude.

Pamela’s true passion is everything associated with Marketing. Pamela is intrigued with Marketing; she accomplished over nine varied effective Marketing courses while attending N.V.C.C. and S.N.H.U. One of Pamela’s favorite pastimes is creating and designing engaging, effective marketing materials for family and friends.

Before coming to F.G.A. Pamela’s Business career consisted of working in strategic visual merchandising, Building Brand Awareness, and Prestigious Merchandise Brand Marketing. Pamela is currently an active member of three Highly revered Honor Societies, Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and The National Society of Leadership and success.

Pamela and her husband Thomas are the proud parents of four children, three daughters, and one son. Outside of work, in her spare time, Pamela likes to attend monthly family adventures with her beloved close-knit family. These adventures include family paint night, mountain hiking, bowling, homemade crafting, ceramics, delicious cookie swaps, and puzzle escape rooms. For the past twenty years, Pamela and her husband Tom have enjoyed refurbishing older-style homes in their spare time. They are currently tackling and refurbishing/remodeling their fourth home. Pamela enjoys sampling hot and cold tea and has sampled over five hundred teas from around the world. Pamela is an avid literature reader and enjoys reading Fiction and Non-Fiction books. Her favorite books to read are classic novels from the eighteenth century and earlier.

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Inge Salierno

Inge Salierno

Inge supports all teachers within the Electives Department as they develop and implement courses that nurture students’ creativity, confidence, critical and flexible thinking, and lifelong love for learning. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Westfield State University. Thereafter, she earned a doctorate degree in developmental psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development from Capella University. Inge has experience as an early intervention associate where she worked with young children to improve their developmental trajectories and prepare them for school.

She has also worked as an in-home family therapist and outpatient counselor where she specialized in working with children and adolescents with ADHD as well as those on the autism spectrum. Additionally, she has published her own research within the field of developmental psychology.

In her spare time, Inge enjoys reading, writing, painting, cooking, and playing sports with her family. She also has a love for vintage fashion!

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