About the Staff
Susannah Bechtel
Susannah is a Curriculum Writer with the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Susannah has worked on a wide range of topics for the Choices Program and has served as the lead writer for a human rights curriculum. She is a 2007 graduate of Tufts University where she majored in International Relations.
Andy Blackadar
Andy is Curriculum Development Director for the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Andy is a former high school teacher with experience teaching in the United States and Brazil. Andy holds a BA in English from Bates College and a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University.
Leah Elliott
Leah is an International Education Intern. She holds a BA in Public Policy and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before coming to Choices, Leah worked with English as a second language students in the local school system and interned for education policy non-profits in North Carolina.
Susan Graseck
Susie is Director of the Choices Program and a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Her areas of interest include renewal of American democracy, education, and civic engagement in international and public policy. Susie came to Brown University in 1988 to start the Choices Program. Prior to coming to Brown, she taught at the elementary and secondary levels and then served as director of a small national foundation where she focused on civic engagement around international issues.
Maya Lindberg
Maya is an International Education Intern. She holds a BA in History and a minor in Political Science from Macalester College. Prior to joining the Choices Program, Maya worked as a Teaching Assistant for an introductory Political Science course at Macalester and interned at a public history institution in Minneapolis.
Kathleen Magiera
Kathie is the Administrative Manager for the Choices Program. Prior to joining the Choices team, she spent over 20 years with the Cranston Public Schools and was the Medicaid/Census Supervisor and Non-Public Textbook Coordinator. Kathleen is currently working on a degree in computer science.
Mimi Stephens
Mimi is Professional Development Director for the Choices Program and a Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Prior to joining the Choices Program, Mimi worked at Clark University where she served as the Director of the Teacher Center for Global Studies supporting K12 social studies teachers throughout Massachusetts for more than 20 years. Mimi holds a Masters in International Development and Social Change from Clark University.
Jillian Turbitt
Jillian is the Communications and Marketing Specialist for the Choices Program. Prior to joining Choices, she served as Manager of Student Relations for the Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. She received her M.Ed. in Educational Media and Technology from Boston University.
Tanya Waldburger
Tanya is the Video and New Media Producer for the Choices Program. Prior to joining Choices in 2009, Tanya worked for seven years as an editor and producer with a New York commercial production house. She holds a BA in Modern Culture and Media and has done additional work at the New York Film Academy.
Consultants
Sarah Massey is a Writing Fellow with the Choices Program. She is a former member of the Choices writing team. She holds a BA in Sociology and Economics from Wesleyan University and an MA cum laude in Development Studies from the University of kwa–Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa.