Saleh is a dedicated educator and community advocate from Zanzibar. He has served as a secondary school teacher for 20+ years, specializing in Geography and Mathematics. Saleh is working part-time as a program assistant with TeachUNITED on the Elimu Soko project.

Andrea Beson has more than 15 years of management experience across multiple organizations. After spending 13 years in the medical field, Andrea transitioned into the education industry supporting Social Emotional Learning curriculum and assessments at Mawi Learning and ACT.

Andrea’s previous roles included Office Manager, Inside Sales, Lead SEL Solutions Specialist, SEL Implementation Manager, and Product Delivery Program Manager. Andrea loves to be a support to her teammates and is eager to continue to learn more about the industry to better support the customers we serve.

Rebecca brings nearly a decade of educational operations experience to TeachUNITED and graduated with a degree in Business from Texas Tech University. Previously the registrar and secretary at a hybrid K-12 school, Rebecca has seen first-hand the powerful impact access to quality education has on students. She is dedicated to providing the support and enthusiasm to TU’s mission and team to grow and transform education for students around the world.

Dr. Issaya Ipyana Kasyupa is a seasoned professional dedicated to transforming lives through education. Certified in life and literacy skills training, and serving as an Instructional Coach and STEM coach, Dr. Kasyupa blends education expertise with a passion for empowering individuals and communities.

His impact in the education sector extends to organizing innovation workshops for the Ministry of Education in Tanzania and collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the Next Einstein Forum, African Institute of Mathematics, and African Mathematics Initiative. Dr. Kasyupa’s versatility shines through his leadership in both national and international science and technology workshops.

Having served as the Regional Coordinator for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network at the UNESCO National Commission of Tanzania, Dr. Kasyupa possesses exceptional program management skills, further affirming his commitment to education and development.

As a NEF Ambassador and PhET Fellow for Tanzania, Dr. Kasyupa’s achievements underscore his dedication to advancing education and fostering positive change. His wealth of experience positions him as a valuable asset to any team or organization striving to elevate education standards and enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities

Marcia McCaffrey, Senior Director US Partnerships, has 23 years of leadership experience at the New Hampshire state department of education (NHED) working with partners and key stakeholders to improve educational opportunities across the state. As the federal grant manager for New Hampshire’s Title V Part B, Rural Education Achievement Program, Marcia has seen what works for rural districts and is passionate about helping them utilize funding effectively. While at the NHED Marcia was engaged in a variety of state-level activities including standards-based performance assessment, data-driven decision-making, and competency-based learning.

Marcia’s early career includes working as a K-16 dance educator, serving as president of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) and facilitating meetings of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards; panelist and presenter for the National Endowment for the Arts, the US Dept. of Education, and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics; and ten years active membership with the State Collaborative on Assessment & Student Standards (SCASS), National Arts Consortium, Council of Chief State School Officers.

Hussein Salum comes from a Project Planning & Management and Community Development background. Hussein has 4 years of work experience in the education sector, specifically in primary and secondary school related programs and initiatives. Hussein is passionate about networking, creating great partnerships with other education-based organizations. He has also worked closely with the Local Government Authorities in planning and executing different district and regional events.

After receiving training in grants writing from Appalachia State University in the U.S., in collaboration with Himiza Social Justice, Hussein was the lead grant writer for Jambo Bukoba/Jambo for Development. Hussein has previous experience with The African Leadership Institute under the Project Pakati (Centre) which was a Pan African Youth Empowerment Project.

Chesco Sowo participated in the TechUNITED program at Oldeani Secondary School where he also serves as Academic Master and teaches history. Chesco is still a teacher at Oldeani, while also working with TeachUNITED to support the local leadership team with instructional coaching, program management, and data collection

Pedro Céspedes Vargas is a teacher and Engineer of Systems. He has worked for the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica for over 17 years making virtual courses and training for teachers in the Professional Development Institute.

He studied at the University Católica of Costa Rica and the University of San José with a degree in Engineering and Education Sciences. Pedro loves technology and using it to educate teachers and students, he is passionate about creating educational games and innovating their use at school. In 2009, he participated in the forum of innovative teachers of Latin America in Argentina.

Todd Weisbrot has worked in education for twenty years and has a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction. During this time, he has held several positions within public education. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to educate students and to support teachers in the classroom through professional development and coaching. He is very excited to be a member of the TeachUNITED team and to have an impact on the growth and development of teachers across the country.

Maria Gelly Yolanda Caballero Alonzo has more than 14 years as a teacher and more than 4 years holding the position of Technical Pedagogical Advisor at the Ministry of Public Education in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.

Gelly, with more than 18 years of experience, has worked on several valuable projects, including the design and delivery of workshops and courses. She has completed various diploma courses focused on education, with the aim of strengthening teacher training to provide support to various educational communities. Her experience and commitment have allowed her the personal satisfaction of contributing to the academic and professional growth of the children and teachers with whom she has collaborated with in her professional career.

Gelly graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Preschool Education from the Escuela Normal de Educación Preescolar and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the Universidad Hispano de Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.

With over 25 years of experience as a CFO and entrepreneur of multiple companies, Brian joins TeachUNITED as CFO. Brian brings a diverse background in accounting, finance, and management to successfully develop and grow client financial infrastructure.

Brian looks forward to building financial strategies to serve the long term growth of TeachUNITED. Brian is passionate about social impact and has served on the boards of social enterprises in the past working to reduce inequality.

Jess Heitner brings 15+ years of experience in both marketing and fundraising across multiple industries and organizations. After a decade with a large advertising agency, Jess transitioned to working with non-profit organizations. Running a local United Way office ignited her passion for mission-driven work, in particular, striving for educational equity.

That passion has drawn Jess to roles where she can combine her experience of strategic planning and powerful storytelling with impactful education programs like social emotional learning and educator professional development that drive positive outcomes for learners and educators.

Angela is an education program management specialist with over 16 years of relevant experience. She has previously worked for the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Educate! Kenya Girl Guides Association, Education Development Trust and International Child Resource Institute. She has provided overall leadership in designing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating education programmes for children and youth to address barriers in education quality, policy, access to education, reduce gender inequalities and to empower them maximize their potential.

Angela has a Master of Arts in Education, Gender and International Development from the University College of London (UCL), Institute of Education (IOE) as well as a Master of Education (Curriculum Studies) from Nairobi University Kenya. She also has a Bachelor of Education from Moi University Kenya.

Angela started her career as a classroom teacher and as an instructor of student teachers. Just like Nelson Mandela, Angela believes that education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to transform the world.

A passionate educator with 19 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and project manager, the last of which was at the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jackline supported the Accelerated Education program for Out-of-school over-age children and provision of Psycho-social support as an Education Officer.

Many years of teaching have exposed Jackline to the challenges teachers face and equipped her with an understanding of teaching practices, the driving force behind her palpable passion to support teachers,
enhancement of learning outcomes, and creation of an environment where children can fulfill their potential.

Jackline is a firm believer of Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “The teacher is a true textbook for the pupil.” As a young girl, it was the support she received that saw her through school and this has made her be exceptionally passionate about the education of girls, who because of their vulnerability are likely to drop out of school; much of her reason for undertaking Master of Arts in Gender and Development.

Jackline also holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Nairobi, a Certificate in Advanced studies in Education in Emergencies from the University of Geneva, and a Certificate in Psychosocial support in Education in Emergencies from the University of Tromso. 

Yohns Williams Solís Delgado has seventeen years of teaching experience in Costa Rica and more than six years as a trainer and educational director for TeachUNITED. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and a professional master’s degree in educational administration. Yohns is passionate about technology and innovation in education and inspires other teachers to try new approaches, to engage and excite students, and to build good instructional practices in the classroom.

Jason Taylor, 2024 CASE Middle School Principal of the Year is a transformational leader who has been serving the people of Northern Colorado since 2005. For the last 11 years he has been the Principal at Platte Valley MS in Kersey CO and now is also an Administrative Consultant with Teach United. Prior to his current appointments, Mr. Taylor taught band at the MS and HS level and for a time worked as a floor hand on a drilling rig in Colorado’s DJ Basin. His diverse experiences and equally diverse skillset have allowed Mr. Taylor to connect with educators, students, and families from every background.

Educational Leadership and coaching have been a strong focus for Mr. Taylor for many years and his school has welcomed in numerous administrators and teachers from across the state to observe and learn the systems and structures that have led Platte Valley Middle School to become one of the outstanding middle schools in Colorado.

In addition to his ventures in school leadership and consulting, Mr. Taylor also serves on the selection committee and steering board for the prestigious “Reisher Foundation Scholarship” as well as the “State Advisory Council for Parental Involvement in Education” (SACPIE) and the Boards of Directors for the “Colorado Association of Middle Level Educators (CAMLE)” and the “Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals (CASSP).” Mr. Taylor is an accomplished public speaker whose professional presentations and motivational addresses have been well received in many venues.

Outside of education, Mr. Taylor is a husband and father of three beautiful girls who are the center of his life. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, running, cooking, and anything that involves the great outdoors (hunting, fishing, camping, etc).

Modesta Wiley has been teaching in rural Tanzania for almost ten years. Modesta participated in the TeachUNITED coaching program at Bashay Primary School and was voted 2017 TU Teacher of the Year. She is experienced in teaching both primary and secondary education and has been working as a Second Head teacher for several years. Modesta is passionate about teaching, and helping other teachers grow and refine their skills.