Teacher Spotlight

Asfia Sadat

Asfia Sadat

Asfia has a Bachelor of Science from Benedictine University in with a major in biology and minor in secondary education. Asfia also earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Kaplan University. Asfia’s first teaching experience was at an alternative charter high school in Ohio. She also served as an Assistant Principal and interim principal in before taking a break from teaching to raise her family. More recently, Asfia worked with curriculum development at a community charter school and worked as an AVID tutor in Illinois. As an educator, Asfia is passionate about creating a fostering environment which maximizes students’ educational, socio-emotional and individual development. She focuses on forming positive relations and keeping students’ learning needs, styles, interests and cultural backgrounds at the center of the instructional process.

In her free time, Asfia enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.

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Caitlyn Lanke

Caitlyn Lanke

Caitlyn offers middle school math courses and high school business electives. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business. Caitlyn has worked in education for over 5 years at both a collegiate and K-12 setting. For the past two years, she has been a 4th-8th grade special education teacher. Caitlyn currently specializes in teaching middle grades mathematics and business education. She has taught and tutored students of all ages and abilities and is excited to be at Fusion Global Academy.

In her spare time, Caitlyn enjoys restoring antique furniture and spending time at the beach. She also enjoys going to thrift stores and playing with her 6-year-old dog named Buddy.

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Erin Christine

Erin Christine

Erin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art with a concentration in ceramics along with a K-12 teacher license from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She previously worked as an art teacher for summer art camps.

Erin loves teaching students to make meaningful art! Students will learn artistic techniques, but more than that, they will engage with the world around them through the exploration of media to expand their perspective and connections within themselves and the world. Depending on what students like and need, she can teach structured sessions or leave room for creative challenges. She loves working with all students! From elementary crafts to AP art and everything in between, she connects with students at their level. Erin sees every student as an artist, and it is her goal to support them on their path of creativity!

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Ricardo Mena

Ricardo Mena

Ricardo provides social and academic mentorship to students from a variety of backgrounds. He earned his associate degree from Hartnell College, then transferred to California State University Monterey Bay where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social sciences. While earning his degrees, he maintained part-time work in various educational-focused jobs, ranging from peer tutor to substitute teacher. In these educational opportunities, Ricardo continued to learn and grow from all the different students he has encountered thus far. Not only has he helped mentor college-aged adults in community college, but has had his fair share of opportunities helping out students through all grades between Kindergarten and 12th grade.

During his free time, Ricardo enjoys casually playing video games, picking up a new book about history, or learning a new skill. Also, he loves spending time with his pet cat named Luna.

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Rishi Sidhu

Rishi Sidhu

Rishi loves helping students connect with history and the social sciences. He majored in biology with a minor in sociology at the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating, Rishi caught the travel bug and taught English as a Second Language in Japan. Upon returning to the United States, he began a career in journalism and reported in various towns in Massachusetts. However, he missed working with students and returned to teaching ESL in the Greater Boston area. Rishi began teaching humanities courses at the Fusion campus in Newton, MA in 2018, and is super excited to join the Fusion Global family.

In his free time, Rishi can be found reading, exercising, connecting with nature, or visiting quaint New England towns with his girlfriend. He also joined a taiko drumming group during his time in Japan, and sometimes he likes to break out his “bachi” and practice his drumming skills.

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Daniel Zolecki

Daniel Zolecki

Daniel earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and comparative world literature with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After graduating early, he continued his education at UIUC to earn his master’s degree in secondary education with a 4.0 GPA and certification to teach social studies and English. Daniel has experience teaching in three different high schools from his graduate education program, and most recently taught high school history classes virtually. During the past three years at university, he also worked as a volunteer mentor for students with learning differences and as a K-12 summer reading teacher and mentor.

Daniel loves playing board games and video games with his friends, family, and girlfriend. He also enjoys spending his free time reading everything from young adult romance novels to the latest scientific journal on ancient human migration patterns.

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Kari Storey

Kari Storey

Kari has a BA in Liberal Arts and has completed several teaching credential courses. She worked as a private tutor for middle school and high school students and as an interventionist/reading instructor at the primary levels. In her free time, Kari volunteers at her local women’s shelter, working with children to catch them back up to grade-level expectations.

Kari is a mom to two boys in primary school and recently relocated her family from Southern California to the foothills of the Sequoia National Forest. In her first week of living there, Kari was chased by a wild boar and an escaped cow from nearby ranches. She now enjoys utilizing her treadmill in the comfort of her wild-life-free home.

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Rolande Tam

Rolande Tam

Rolande is a French native speaker who has lived in France as well as several French speaking countries in Africa. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in French at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. During her college years, she also won a French essay contest for a study abroad summer program sponsored by Manhattan College and the Alliance Francaise. She worked as a French professor assistant and a French tutor throughout college. She has been a French teacher for the past 5 years.

In her spare time, she loves traveling and is always looking forward to her next trip. She is also very passionate about her beliefs and enjoys doing volunteer work and reaching out to those in her community.

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Peter Elliott

Peter Elliott

Peter works with students exploring literature and developing their writing skills. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Amherst College. Peter received a master’s degree in education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education with a focus in curriculum and instruction. He taught middle school for his first five years of teaching and spent fifteen years at The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas. Peter serves as the chair of the Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literature Magazines Committee at the National Council of Teachers of English as well as being one of the Poetry Editors of English Journal, NCTE’s scholarly publication for secondary education.

He is a voracious reader, an occasional dungeon master, and the experimental cook in his household which includes his wife and two children.

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Nancy Carson

Nancy Carson

Nancy comes to FGA from Fusion San Mateo where she taught English, History, and a variety of social/emotional support classes. At Fusion San Mateo, she was the Learning Specialist and Special Ed lead. Nancy has a M.A. in Communications and undergraduate degrees in English and Speech. Nancy is a new resident of Seattle and is enjoying getting to know the Pacific Northwest.

Her leisure time includes gardening, reading, exploring natural areas and playing with her beloved cat Jamie. Some little-known facts about Nancy: she is a former private pilot and motorcyclist and she loves to fish.

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