The Rowland DEW Scholars
Are you an aspiring educator of color in Vermont working on your teacher's license? If so, the Rowland Foundation wants to hear from you!
Each year, the Rowland Foundation offers up to four Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) Grants for aspiring educators of color who live in Vermont. Each grantee may receive up to $20,000 in financial assistance to cover costs associated with obtaining their Vermont teacher’s license, including: exams, graduate courses, licensing fees, certification and internship programs, and other costs incurred while student teaching. In addition, grantees will be paired with a licensed Vermont educator of color. This mentor will provide support and guidance throughout the grant cycle. Applicants must be able to demonstrate completion of a Bachelor’s Degree; current Vermont residency; and either employment in a Vermont school or concrete steps already taken towards teacher licensure.
Even as a growing body of educational research demonstrates the positive impacts of teachers of color on the short- and long-term outcomes for all students, Vermont’s educator workforce does not reflect the increasing diversity of the state’s overall population. In recognition of this disparity, The Rowland Foundation is pleased to offer this new grant program, intended to remove some of the obstacles to teaching licensure that prevent some educators of color from entering the profession in Vermont.
For more information about the program, please contact us at
info@therowlandfoundation.org or call us at (802) 230-7879.
2024 DEW Scholars
Tessie Sakai
Tessie Sakai is currently pursuing a teaching license with endorsements in Middle Grades English and Social Studies through the Teacher Apprenticeship Program at Champlain College. She studied ancient Greek, Latin, and religion at the University of Vermont and earned a TESOL/TEFL Certificate from Saint Michael’s College. She has worked in education in a variety of roles, first as a middle school Latin teacher and most recently as an English teacher in Sapporo, Japan with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. She is interested in inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogies, and she is grateful to the Rowland Foundation for their support in her journey as a new teacher.
Lijuan Merkel
Lijuan Merkel is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Saint Michael's College, with a background in Elementary Education. Her most recent professional experience involved serving as an ESL paraeducator, where she discovered immense joy in working with students. Before relocating to the U.S., she taught English as a second language in China. Lijuan is passionate about play-based and multicultural perspective learning, emphasizing the importance of diverse and inclusive educational practices. Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds fulfillment in gardening and cherishing the four seasons alongside her family and their dog.
Jonas Kambire
Jonas, a native of Burkina Faso, West Africa, moved to Vermont in 2015. He attended Sterling College where he completed his undergraduate degree in Sustainable Agriculture with a minor in Education. Post-graduation, Jonas worked at Craftsbury Saplings Community School, serving as a Pre-school Assistant Teacher and Farm-to-School Coordinator. During this time, he cemented his love for teaching. Currently, Jonas is a student in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Saint Michael's College, obtaining his licensure in Elementary Education. Jonas is a dedicated individual that enjoys working with children and youth, and is passionate about how to better education. In Spring ‘24, he will be a Student Teacher at C.P. Smith Elementary School in the Burlington School District. When Jonas is not teaching or in class he is enjoying a game of soccer, dancing or anything outdoors.
2023 DEW Scholars
Safia Haji
Safia Haji (she/her) has been an educator for the past three years at Winooski High School. In 2019, she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelors of Arts in English Teaching. The need for representation in the classrooms is what drives her work to diversify the educator workforce in Vermont so that one day, her children can be able to see people who look like them holding classroom spaces. Safia is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments for all students, engaging families as partners in learning, and celebrating learners’ successes over time.
Infinite Culcleasure
Inspired by his young son Izra, Infinite Culcleasure has been teaching and learning alongside elementary school aged children, after many years of community organizing with families in Vermont’s public education system. Now updating his resume and bio to reflect the recent transition to the classroom to serve as an educator, he brings the knowledge, wisdom and experience to the classroom as a “generation x-er”. In 2021, Infinite was nominated for the Hometown Media Awards for a podcast he produced exploring literacy. He occasionally enjoys meaningful ways to engage in electoral politics, visual and audio collages, open mikes, essays, and Scrabble. Infinite earned a BA in psychology from the University of Vermont in 2005, a MS in urban policy analysis and management from the New School University, and sat at the feet of Laura Fishmen, Sondra Solomon, Will Miller, Joan Smith, LJ Palardy, Andy A-dog Williams, and countless other magical creatures of the universe.
Esther Charlestin
Esther Charlestin is a first-generation Haitian American, born to immigrant parents Anita and Glachan Charlestin, who instilled the value of education in her. Through their unwavering encouragement, she embarked on a journey of academic excellence, earning a Bachelor's degree in History & Communication, followed by a Master's in Corporate Communication and Public Relations, and a Master of Arts in Teaching. Passionate about empowering women and using her voice for positive impact, Esther Charlestin envisions a future where she can serve her community and beyond. Embracing a new chapter in her life, she proudly holds the position of Founder & CEO of Conversation Compass LLC. Her commitment to advocating for justice and equity is a driving force behind her work, aiming to create an inclusive world where everyone's voice is heard and respected. Charlestin fearlessly navigates the path of empowerment, leading by example, and inspiring others to contribute to positive societal change.
Kenneth Phillips II
Kenneth Phillips II (he/him), a native of Huntington, New York moved to Vermont in 2016 upon completion of his Associates Degree in culinary arts and Bachelor's Degree in Food Service management with a minor and wellness sustainability from Johnson & Wales University. Growing up in a family full of chefs, food is where I wanted to be. Ultimately I decided to attend the University of Vermont to obtain my Masters in Education in interdisciplinary studies but while doing that all it took was one class for me to change course. I am currently sitting with my Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Trauma Restorative Practice. I'm currently in the process of obtaining my second master's degree in special education with a K-21 licensure. I have been working in a school setting since 2016 when I began my coaching career up until now where I currently work as a behavior interventionist at South Burlington High school. As I mentioned I also coach at South Burlington High School while coaching one sport every season. The uniqueness of being a coach as well as an educator has given me the ability to build a great rapport with not only the student athletes but the students in the school building as well. Kenneth is extremely passionate about food, sports, education, health, wellness, and many other things. Even though I have left the restaurant world I currently also own my own catering company named Eighty9 Catering.