Seminè Kole-Zepòl, Teyori-Pratik, Selebrasyon:  Enstriksyon pou chanjman, pou yon Ayiti pi vivab.

Collaboration, Application and Celebration: Transformative Education for a Brighter Haiti.

Dr. Martine Elie

Dr. Martine Elie, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is a first generation Haitian American. She is a Speech Language Pathologist and currently oversees the Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic where she serves as the clinic director and faculty.  With over 15 years’ experience working with individuals with communication disorders, Dr. Elie teaches classes on clinical service provision in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University. 

As a clinical service provider, Dr. Elie has had extensive experience in preventing, diagnosing, and remediating a range of communication disorders across the lifespan.  She has presented at a number of different conferences on topics such as ethnic identification, code switching in Haitian Creole, bilingualism and stuttering, the cultural and linguistic variables of the Haitian population, the influence of Haitian Creole on English, health literacy, assessment of Haitian Creole children, language and literacy, and disability: implications for Haiti as a result of the earthquake, and the performance of African American English and Haitian Creole speakers on tests of language ability. 

Her research interests include child language, bilingual and multicultural issues, intercultural communication, ethnic identification, evidenced based practice, and the assessment and treatment of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, particularly Haitian Creole speakers. Her research in equitable service delivery for culturally and linguistically diverse populations aims to increase the speech and language assessment modalities for African American English and Haitian Creole speakers as well as other linguistically diverse populations, develop best practices for assessment and treatment and increase the body of literature available about Haitian Creole and its influence on English.

In addition, Dr. Elie is the owner of Global Education and Enrichment Services.  Global Education and Enrichment Services is a private organization committed to culturally sensitive and equitable assessment/treatment strategies for Haitian living in Haiti and in the diaspora, disability awareness, teacher education, and parent training and advocacy. Dr. Elie has traveled with students to Haiti as part of Howard University Alternative Spring break.  She received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the District of Columbia Speech Language Hearing Association in 2012. 

Dr. Elie received her B.A at St. John’s University (Speech Language Pathology/Audiology with a minor as Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped);  M.S (Speech Language Pathology) from University of the District of Columbia and her Ph.D. from Howard University.

Ms. Cecilia Deterville

Cecilia Deterville is originally from St. Lucia, West Indies. She received her undergraduate education from Ithaca College in Health Science with a concentration in Health Promotion. While at Ithaca College, she took several courses in the area of Health Promotion and Public Health, such as Multicultural Perspectives in Health and Healing, Critical Health Issues, and Community Health. Most recently, Cecilia graduated from Miami University with a Masters’ degree in Exercise & Health Studies: Health Promotion. Presently, I am engaged in my graduate research project exploring Global Health Disparities. My research examines Afro-Caribbeans’ perceptions of the prevalence of type II diabetes in their communities.

Dr. Moise (Mo) R.  Baptiste

A Haitian-American, Dr. Mo Baptiste is originally from Miami, FL but currently lives in Ithaca, NY.  He’s currently an assistant professor at Ithaca College and teaches various classes in the Education Department such as: “Education and Society,” “Youth Culture, Resistance and Education,” “Social and Cultural Foundations in Education” and the very popular “The Mis-Education of Haiti.” Dr. Baptiste’s research agenda explores how traditional leadership and organizational theories have been conceptualized and the intricate ways they are used to maintain systems of dominations. He has constructed a leadership theory that he has coined “Leadership from the Margins Theory” that assumes social conflict theory rather than systems theory, and he has identified characteristics that make up these marginalized leaders. One of the most important components of his research was how he was able to identify the characteristics of these marginalized leaders by looking at the historical implications of the Haitian Revolution and the lived experiences of contemporary Haitian narratives.

As a Board member of World Water Relief and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Dr. Baptiste continues to work with the citizens of Haiti by addressing issues of water and land conservation, community organizing and teacher education development.

Dr. Baptiste received an A.A at Kemper Military Academy, B.A (Communications) and M.S (Business Education) from Robert Morris University and a Ph.D. from Miami University in Education Leadership.

Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste

 Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and the oldest of four siblings.  Growing up her parents always instilled in her the importance and value of education and treating others with respect.  As a teenager she played volleyball and liked the idea of studying sports and health in college.    At age 23 she began teaching health education at the high school she graduated from in St. Louis.  As a relatively shy student it is quite interesting that she found herself in a profession where she has to stand in front of people every day and speak and engage her audience. 

Since that time she has taught at various colleges and landed at Ithaca College in 2009 where she is an Assistant Professor in the department of Health Promotion and Physical Education.  She teaches courses related to Health Promotion, Human Sexuality, Drugs, and Multicultural Health Issues.  She has also taught and studied abroad in Denmark, Switzerland, France, and the Dominican Republic. She has been teaching at the secondary and collegiate level for over twelve years.  She thoroughly loves teaching and having an opportunity to have a positive impact in student’s lives. 

In 2010, she received the “You Make a Difference Award” from Ithaca College for her commitment and contribution to teaching and supporting students on the campus.  In early 2012 she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Office of Students Affairs and Campus Life for her collaborative work with other offices at Ithaca College.

Dr. Howard-Baptiste welcomes any opportunity to help young women live their best life by surrounding them with other women who will lift them up and lean them upwards towards their purpose in life.

Dr. Howard-Baptiste received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Coaching in 1999 her Master of Science degree in Health Promotion in 2000 and her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership in 2007, all from Miami University.

Ms. Suzanne Rochelin

Suzanne Rochelin is a certified public accountant and obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts.  She has over 10 years of working experience in accounting at various fortune 500 companies. 

Her attachment to Haiti and its people began early, during the formative years spent living in Port-au-Prince with her family. At thirteen years of age, her family left Haiti and she moved to Boston, Massachusetts to further pursue her education. As a result of this experience, she gained an innate appreciation for the transformational power of education.

After the devastation caused by the earthquake of January 12th, she was inspired to make an active commitment to rebuild her home country and launched Educate Haiti Now, Inc. (EHN), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization who’s mission is to rehabilitate the education sector in Haiti so that all Haitian children, whether wealthy or underprivileged, have access to quality schooling.     

Currently, Suzanne is based in Haiti as the Program Director of EHN. In that role, she oversees and monitors all EHN’s programs and acts as an advisor to their partner schools, Centre Montessori de Depio (CMD) and at La Precieuse Ecole Montessori (LPEM).  She helps these schools formulate a long-term strategic plan and improve their internal processes. 

Mr. Vernon Branch Frazier, J.D., M.T.S.

An advocate for human rights and social justice, Vernon Frazier’s first passion in life is to become “the voice of those among us who are voiceless.”  Vernon earned a Master in Theological Studies from Emory University Candler School of Theology and a Certificate of Human Rights from Emory University Center for Ethics in 2012.  While at Emory, Vernon’s areas of focus were conflict transformation and reconciliation as well as human rights advocacy and contemporary Christian Ethics.  His thesis topic, King’s Vision of the Beloved Community as a Model Christian Response to the Darfur Genocide, provided an alternative analysis of the human rights atrocities in Darfur, Sudan through the eyes of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..  Vernon is certificated in teaching the Kingian Nonviolent Conflict Reconciliation program, a  curriculum based on the philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr., to community members who face conflict in their respective institutions.  Prior to attending Emory, Vernon served as an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America Card Services in Kennesaw, Georgia in which his career with the company lasted nearly 11 years. Vernon also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Morehouse College.  In addition to his passion for social justice, Vernon is a member of several community services organizations including, United Way and  the Omicron Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, in which he served as chapter president from 2010-12.  He is married and the father of one son. 

Ms. Adrienne C. Goss

Adrienne is a Ph.D. student in the Educational Policy Studies Program at Georgia State University (GSU).  She is a member of Educate Haiti Now’s (EHN) Program Development Committee and the manager of EHN’s research program.  In addition to researching and writing for EHN, she has written publications for other non‐profit organizations in Atlanta.  She is a member of the Alonzo A. Crim Center’s Urban Education Think Tank (UETT) at GSU, a group of graduate students dedicated to promoting scholarship to improve urban education.   Adrienne also works as a research assistant for the Early Childhood Education Department at GSU.  

Adrienne puts her research into practice daily.  She currently teaches high school mathematics full‐time in Atlanta Public Schools.  She has ten years of classroom teaching experience at the middle and high school levels, in private, public, traditional, and alternative settings, and teaches one course at GSU—Investigating  
Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education.  In April 2012, Adrienne was honored as the GSU College of Education Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year. Adrienne graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics for secondary education and a Master of Arts in Social Foundations— Teaching for Diversity.  Adrienne’s research interests revolve around the impact of educational policy on children of color—both in the U.S. and abroad.   

Ms. Tiffany Malone

Born and raised in Inglewood, CA, as a young adult, Tiffany Malone was exposed to everything from at risk-youth, homelessness, teen pregnancy, religion, gangs, dance teams, cheer squads, and other various athletic activities. Her parents were involved in a community outreach ministry called The Fruits of Righteousness Ministries. Being exposed to these things early in life served as a foundation for Tiffany and helped developed her passion for advocacy and service.

After graduating from Inglewood High School in June of 2000, Tiffany moved to Washington D.C. to study Health Management at Howard University. During this time, she worked as a Program Coordinator with Rev. Saddler and Shaw Community Ministry. Here, she was responsible for developing after school programs as well as overseeing A Way of Life mentor program. Upon graduation, Tiffany returned to Inglewood, CA. where she currently resides and works as a Program Supervisor with STAR (Support and Treatment for autism related services) autism. At STAR, Tiffany is responsible for conducting weekly field supervision visits and office supervision to develop and manage intervention programs. In July, 2012, Tiffany completed her M.A. in Teaching Applied Behavior Analysis with National University and plans to pursue her PhD in Forensic Psychology in the fall of 2013.

As a board member of Transparency for Haiti (TfH), Tiffany plans to expand her advocacy for education and service for underserved communities abroad. She served as a presenter in the first TSI with Haitian American Caucus (HAC) in July of 2011 and plans to continue presenting in the upcoming years. In 2012, she began a Back packs for Haiti project where High School Seniors attending Opportunities for Learning Charter School in Palmdale, CA. can receive community service hours for donating back packs filled with school supplies. These back packs will be used by students attending Ecole Shalom primary school in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. Tiffany is looking forward to continuing service as a board member with TfH and an annual presenter with TSI.

Mr. Shaun Owens

Shaun Owens is a Licensed Practical nurse (L.P.N). He is currently working on his degree to become a registered nurse. As a practicing LPN for the past 5 years, he has worked in a number of settings including nursing homes and hospitals. He has a special gift working with children and the elderly in which he take great pride. This is his second trip to Haiti. This past January, he conducted physical examinations for the students of Ecole Shalom. He is the proud father of two beautiful girls (Riley (6) and DeLaney (2).

Ms. Farah Louis

 Farah Louis is a Haitian-American Journalist from Brooklyn, New York. She obtained her degree in English with a concentration in Journalism from Long Island University Brooklyn campus and has worked in both media and publicity for the last five years; working with diverse companies, organizations and government officials.

As a child, Farah fell in love with Haiti after a visit to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since then, Farah has always had a passion to help Haiti and produce projects that would expand the perspectives of women and youth in Haiti.

In 2009, Farah co-founded the premiere female nonprofit organization entitled, “Bel Ti Fi Empowerment Committee,” an organization with a mission to empower and help enhance the professional development of young Haitian-American women. She later joined the Haitian American Caucus (HAC), in efforts to work toward the missions of empowering and improving the quality if life of Haitians both in the USA and in Haiti. Farah also volunteers for media outlets Radio Soleil and BCAT-TV, and organizations such Girls Inc. NY, Dwa Fanm and Haiti Cultural Exchange.

 Currently, Farah serves as the Executive Vice President of the Haitian American Caucus, overseeing operations and programming initiatives and will be working on exclusive projects for HAC such as TSI and the Women’s Empowerment Group in Haiti.

Farah’s goal is to serve, enlighten, and uplift her Haitian community through creating positive change, and finding creative and progressive ways to tackle societal issues through the arts and public service.

Ms. Corinne Rochelin

Corinne Rochelin is a certified elementary school teacher and currently resides in Altanta, GA. She most recently worked as a 5th grade teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Boston College and recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Corinne is a board member of EduNow, a non-profit dedicated to improving the education sector in Haiti.

Ms. Jeannifer Bonnet

Jeannifer M. Bonnet has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Administration from plus a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a Specialist Certification in Infant and Toddler Development. She established Our Little Ones Learning Center (OLO) in 1993, to serve primarily Haitian-American families and their young children in Little Haiti. Under Ms. Bonnet’s direction, OLO rented a second facility in Little Haiti in 2003, and in 2004, became a nonprofit organization and soon achieved the “Gold Seal Standard” of early childhood education and child care centers for accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).. By 2007, Ms. Bonnet decided that OLO could most effectively serve the community by increasing the number of children six weeks to 24 months old in the program and offering more comprehensive services to the children and their families.

Ms. Stacey Etienne

Stacey Etienne is a Science teacher at Somerset Academy Charter in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where she teaches AP Biology at Somerset Virtual Academy. Stacey has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, and is currently completing her Master's in Public Health at Florida International University. Stacey enjoys learning and teaching about life science topics and health related topics. During her spare time, she enjoys watching CNN or reading articles to keep updated on world events.

Ms. Martine Vassor

Martine Vassor-Johnson currently works at the Healthy Babies Project in Washington, DC., to improve health outcomes for at-risk pregnant teens and parenting women by promoting coordination within the health care system, enhancing access to prevention, medical care and support services, and pregnancy and parenting support. She provides weekly counseling to pregnant teens and teen mothers, employment and education referrals, as well as parenting and substance abuse training sessions.

Martine is a MA candidate at American University in ITPEP – International Training and Education Program. Her course work includes Adult Education, education and development, Training Design and implementation, non-formal education and curriculum development.