Meet the SRL Teacher Ambassador Fellows + Ways to Engage This Year

August 3, 2026

By: SRL Staff

We’re excited to officially introduce the SRL Teacher Ambassador Fellows and share more about how to connect with this year’s cohort throughout the 2026–27 school year.

The SRL Teacher Ambassador Fellowship is a year-long professional learning experience that supports educators in bringing video and audio storytelling, journalism, and media literacy into their classrooms and communities. As we continue to grow from a pilot ambassador model into a sustained national fellowship, this year’s cohort represents a diverse network of educators committed to expanding student voice and strengthening media education across the country.

Throughout the fellowship, Ambassadors serve as local leaders and collaborators,  offering professional development, mentoring educators new to student media-making, facilitating workshops, and supporting schools in building sustainable journalism programs. Their work connects classrooms to real world storytelling practices while strengthening regional and national networks of educators.

Meet this year’s cohort!

	Eunice Kang Costa Mesa, CA Bio: Eunice Kang is an associate professor of political science and international relations at Vanguard University of Southern California. She also manages the Department of History and Political Science social media presence and podcast. Fun Facts: I enjoy Korean dramas, TV shows, and food. I have self-published five books, all available on Amazon. I serve as an Education Ambassador with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), promoting global literacy, and is a board member for the International Studies Association (ISA) West Region, helping organize conferences in international relations. Ask me about: designing final projects where students produce short documentaries and about organizing campus film festivals. In April 2026, I launched the Inaugural Vanguard Doc Fest at my university.
	Gisele Esquivel Providence, RI Bio: Gisele Esquivel is the Education Specialist at Ocean State Media in Rhode Island, where she draws on her experience as a former elementary classroom teacher and Fulbright Fellow to spark student curiosity and deepen media literacy. In her current role, she supports educators, students, and families through inclusive initiatives as part of the Community and Education Team. She is currently piloting a fourth-grade student journalism club, with plans to expand the program in partnership with multiple schools across the state. Fun Facts: My first born child is a female golden retriever named Camila. I taught English at an elementary school in Sejong-si, South Korea for two years after graduating college. If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life, it would have to be cheese. Ask me about: media making with elementary students and how partnering with your local PBS/NPR station can enhance your program.
	Greg Walkup Cumming, GA Bio: Dr. Greg Walkup is an A/V Broadcast & Film teacher at Otwell Middle School in Cumming, GA and the founder of Sic ’Em Studios, a student-driven media program. He now leads one of Georgia’s most innovative middle school student media programs. Through student-led broadcasting, podcasting, and short-film production, he empowers the next generation to find their voice, lead with purpose, and create with confidence. Fun Facts: I can beatbox and often can be found battling my middle school students in class. I love tattoos. I am in the process of finishing up my first tattoo sleeve. Fishing is my happy place! Ask me about: how to build a student-led podcast program from scratch, where students create authentic, high-quality content for real-world audiences.
	Heather Putnam Avondale, AZ Bio: Heather Putnam has been a teacher for over 20 years, and for half of that time she has been in CTE TV and film. She loves being able to help students tell their story. She is also a mom, fur mom, wife and avid yelper!  Fun Facts:  I grew up in a town that has exactly 1247 people in it and I was the hometown princess, Boxelder Bug Days Princess. I am ridiculously addicted to Monopoly Go! As of right now I am on level 762! I love to read the cheap .99 books on my kindle and try out new genres that way. Ask me about: CTE!
	Jennifer Myers Conway, SC Bio: Jenn Myers is a dedicated high school English teacher and Department Chair with over 16 years of experience in English and student media. She is passionate about fostering student voice, leading innovative projects like yearbook and journalism, and creating engaging, rigorous learning experiences. At Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School, she inspires students to think critically, communicate effectively, and take pride in their work. Fun Facts: I love to travel and experience different cultures. So far, I have visited nine different countries.  I love learning and have become a lifetime student.  I have two Masters degrees and I am working towards my doctorate (I am the first in my family to go to college). I have a half sleeve of tattoos that all relate to Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems. Ask me about: How to build a student media program that gives every student a voice while still maintaining high expectations and real-world standards.
	Julie Tiedens Black River Falls, WI Bio: Julie Tiedens teaches English and journalism at Black River Falls High School in Wisconsin’s driftless area.  She splits her time between her roles as an adviser, teacher, school social media manager and mom (of the college boy and dog variety). When not at school, she’s strapping on running shoes or collapsing on her living room couch. Fun Facts: My first pet was a calf named Sam; now I have two well-loved dogs: Izzy and Arlo. I was voted best laugh for the Class of 1991. I’m training for my first half-marathon… and I’d never run before last July Ask me about: how to build a diverse club broadcast team.
	Trina Moore Minneapolis, MN Bio: Trina Moore recently retired after 30 years teaching everything from creative writing to theatre to filmmaking and journalism, guiding students to find and develop their voice. She believes everyone has a story worth telling—even if it takes a few drafts (or decades) to get it right. Trina strives to live life with wisdom, curiosity, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Fun Facts: My photos have appeared on album covers and beer cans. I once convinced a carload of teenagers I learned to drive in reverse. I have dreams of owning a grilled cheese food truck. Ask me about: how to help students learn from failure and raise the bar on their own expectations.
	Katrina Berry Ivy Saltillo, MS Bio: Katrina Berry-Ivy is in her seventh year of teaching broadcast journalism and advising WTHS Media at Tupelo High School in Mississippi. Prior to teaching, she was a morning anchor and reporter for WTVA in Tupelo, MS. Berry-Ivy was recognized as a Rising Star for the Journalism Education Association in 2023 and named the Mississippi Broadcast Adviser of the Year for the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association in 2021 and 2026. Fun Facts: My husband and I enjoy biking on the Tanglefoot Trail in New Albany, MS.   I am afraid of horror movies, but when traveling to other towns, my husband and I always sign up for ghost tours. I met my husband when working at WTVA.  Our desks were even side by side in the newsroom. Our coworkers didn’t know we were dating until we announced our wedding engagement three years later. #bestkeptsecret Ask me about: How to build a community within the classroom and how to rebuild a broadcast program into a respected student publication.
	Krista McKim Rockville, MD Bio: Krista McKim is a National Board Certified Teacher at Rockville High School where she teaches a variety of journalism and English classes. As a strong believer in project based learning, Krista helps students use written and visual storytelling to advocate for themselves and others. She is a Master Oratory Fellow (Ford’s Theatre), Master Journalism Educator (Journalism Education Association), and was named “Most Likely to Survive the Apocalypse” by her students. Fun Facts: I’ve been to Antarctica and swam below the Antarctic Circle.  I have dyslexia and couldn’t read until middle school.  I’m a career change teacher and I used to work in victim advocacy. Ask me about: classroom management in project based classes.
	Maryam Mufti Romulus, MI Bio: Maryam Mufti has been teaching public health and healthcare sciences for the past three years, with a focus on health literacy, real-world relevance, and turning classroom knowledge into action and advocacy. She hopes to continue teaching science and refining her practice in these areas, especially for historically underrepresented students. Outside the classroom, Maryam enjoys staying active, gardening, biking, puzzle making, and has recently started dabbling in baking.  Fun Facts: I have two Master’s degrees.  I coach track and field and am a certified personal trainer. I have over 50 tattoos and cannot wait to get more! Ask me about: how anything and everything connects back to public health!
	Miguel Amaya Miami, FL Bio: Miguel Amaya is a TV production teacher at Miami Senior High School and a former professional journalist with seven years of experience at major networks, including ABC 7 Eyewitness News in NYC and CBS News. Returning to his alma mater, he has transformed the school’s TV production program into a competitive, award-winning powerhouse. Under his leadership, students have earned multiple Student Emmy Awards and gained recognition at district, state, and national levels. Amaya specializes in storytelling, broadcast journalism, and hands-on media production, guiding students through real-world experiences that prepare them for careers in media.  Fun Facts: I love traveling. My favorite cuisine is Italian and Mediterranean. I love horror movies. Ask me about: how to turn students into real storytellers by getting them to think like journalists, shoot with intention, and edit with purpose.
	Mindy Bissett Little Rock, AR Bio: Mindy Bissett is a former Gifted and Talented Educator, and this was her passion in education for many years. A new job encouraged her to teach broadcasting. She got her start after attending a broadcasting teacher PD in Springfield, MO, and today she loves every minute of teaching the wonderful subject of broadcasting! Fun Facts: I am in episodes two and three of the Build to Launch series on the LEGO Education channel. I have been growing orchids for over 20 years, and 2026 has been one of the best years for my orchids’ blooming.  I love traveling and going to the beach every year.  Ask me about: how I transform foam boards or old tables into usable pieces for broadcasting.
	Monique Harris Schramme Lexington, MA Bio: Monique Harris Schramme is an educator, curriculum designer, and media arts teacher who loves helping students find their voice through storytelling. She teaches digital video production, graphic design, and digital media while developing Pedagogy by Design, her approach to equity-centered, liberatory learning. Her work is all about building creative spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to tell meaningful stories. Fun Facts: I will 100% pause a movie or show to talk about the camera angle, lighting, or why a cut felt so good… even though it drives me up the wall when someone talks during a movie in a theater. I somehow became a runner a year ago—it honestly feels like it happened to me rather than I became it. I’ve already run a half-marathon in Austin, and I’m training for my second Boston Women’s 10K. I grew up speaking five languages—now I’m fluent in two, passable in one, and very confidently pretending in the other two. Ask me about:how to help students turn their real experiences into powerful stories through video, graphic design, and photo essays that use visual communication to truly connect with an audience.
	Morgan Bricker New Cumberland, WV Bio: Morgan is a journalism educator of 20 years and now advises Weir Student Media, a semi-converged, student-run program where her students produce a news website, yearbook, announcements and senior video. She currently serves as president of the West Virginia Scholastic Media Association, Journalism Education Association State Director for West Virginia, blog coordinator for the JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee, and lead fellow for Hancock County Schools’ participation in the News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship Program. Her students and school have earned state and national recognition for their work to advocate for and exercise their First Amendment press freedoms. Fun Facts: I hold a master’s degree in journalism education from Kent State University and Master Journalism Educator credentials from the Journalism Education Association. I worked closely with the Student Press Law Center, WVSMA stakeholders, and student journalists to help pass New Voices legislation in West Virginia from 2021-2023. I played softball from the age of nine through college, and continue to coach today. Ask me about: how to support and protect student press freedom!
	Phillip Bernard Smith Apex, NC Bio: Phillip is a veteran teacher and filmmaker nominated NC Charter School Teacher of the Year 2006 and won Teacher of the Year at Kestrel Heights Middle School (2016). He also won a Producing Fellow award at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in 2015 and is a long standing board member for the Raleigh Little Theatre. Fun Facts: I was born ten days after LBJ signed the 1967 Public Broadcasting Act into law. My initials are PBS (Phillip Bernard Smith). My favorite Sesame Street character is Cookie Monster. Ask me about: how to design a signature media academy program at a very successful charter school that has focused students mainly on math and science.

Connect directly with Ambassadors this fall, including at the Back-to-School Kickoff and during upcoming monthly TRL Chats. These sessions are designed to make it easy for educators to engage with each other, ask questions, and explore ways to collaborate.

Whether you’re just getting started with Student Reporting Labs or looking to deepen your involvement, we’re excited to help you connect with a local Ambassador and become part of this growing national network.

Note: The SRL Ambassador network is an evolving, national community, with pilot Ambassadors continuing their work alongside this year’s Fellows.