Teach Asian American Stories Welcomes Third Cohort of Fellows
We’re thrilled to introduce the ten inspiring educators selected for the 2025–2026 Teach Asian American Stories (TAAS) Fellowship Program. This cohort is poised to deepen and expand the teaching of Asian American and Pacific Islander history across New Jersey. Since its launch in 2022, TAAS has trained thousands of teachers and empowered a growing community to bring AAPI stories into classrooms with authenticity and purpose. Now in its third year, this fellowship continues to transform passionate educators into thoughtful facilitators and advocates who are ready to shape inclusive learning environments for every student.
Over the course of the 2025–2026 school year, these New Jersey public school teachers will participate in a year-long professional development program dedicated to integrating AAPI curriculum into their classrooms and districts. Guided by Dr. Khyati Joshi of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Fellows will deepen their content knowledge, receive training in workshop facilitation, and gain mentorship to support their growth as professional development leaders across the state. Together, this new cohort represents a wide range of experiences, disciplines, and communities, united by a deep passion for history, identity, and student empowerment through inclusive education.
Meet the 2025–2026 TAAS Fellows
Rebekah Chung is a second-generation Korean American. She teaches 7th grade ELA in the Northern Valley District. Some of her hobbies include jogging, playing flag football, and taking her weekly beginner ballet class.
“Highlighting AAPI contributions can provide my students the windows and mirrors that are so critical to their development as members of a global society.”
Carol Fevola is a Jersey native who has long loved working with young people in the classroom. Having taught for more than 40 years, she still loves bringing new materials to her students and sharing with her colleagues. She has been fortunate to work in a district that supports the important work surrounding diversity so that each of her students feels seen and heard. She is one of the luckiest teachers in the world!
“Our classrooms and the world can be better through knowledge and understanding.”
Mariko Franz has been an elementary school teacher for eight years. She currently teaches second grade in the Haddon Heights School District. Previously, she taught at a charter school in Philadelphia.
“I believe students deserve a history that incorporates all parts of this diverse country, and for them to understand that Asian American history is US history.”
Rodney Jackson is a 24-year Social Studies teacher at Renaissance Middle School in Montclair. He holds a Master of Arts in History and is the founder of Teachers Undoing Racism Now (TURN), an initiative that challenges Montclair educators to examine their own racial biases, beliefs, and paradigms—and to understand how these impact their teaching practices and student outcomes.
“It is vital to share what I’ve learned from this fellowship with educators who are committed to expanding, improving, and diversifying the people’s history of the United States.”
Marissa LaSala is a 7th grade social studies teacher, now in her fourth year of teaching and second year with Edison Public Schools. She graduated from Monmouth University in 2020 with a degree in Political Science. She is passionate about helping students make meaningful connections between the past and the present while encouraging curiosity about the world around them. Her goal is to foster an engaging and supportive classroom where every student can grow and succeed. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time at the beach and reading.
“Teaching a more complete and representative history encourages all students to think critically and appreciate the richness and diversity of human experience.”
June Lam has been teaching for 25 years at Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia, NJ, and currently teaches 3rd grade, having previously taught 4th and 5th. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Outside the classroom, she loves spending time with her husband, Dado, and their three boys—Tyler (20), Dylan (17), and Brayden (13).
“I want to create a space where every student… can feel proud of who they are.”
Kate LeBlanc has been a public school English, Film, and Journalism teacher in New Jersey for ten years. She’s taught all grade levels and currently works at Bergenfield High School. She has created a range of original courses to foster life-long learners and student engagement: courses like Film as Literature, Evolution of Cinema, Introduction to Humanities, and Understanding Graphic Novels and Visual Texts. In her spare time, she can be found in nature — kayaking, canoeing, gardening, or hiking the Hudson Valley where she resides.
“Embracing the diverse nature of our classrooms and communities is one way to show celebration through education rather than eradication through elimination.”
Hyesung Lee is a 1.75-generation Korean American educator passionate about culturally responsive teaching and historical inclusivity. He earned a B.A. in Social Studies with K–12 teaching certification from Montclair State University (2021), an MBA in General Business from William Paterson University (2024), and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the American College of Education. He is passionate about history, higher education, and learning from the lived experiences, stories, and values of others. He believes in healing through reflection, growth, humility, and mutual recognition of our shared struggles and triumphs.
“Including AAPI contributions is essential to dismantling stereotypes and broadening students’ perspectives.”
Alison Lubar is a biracial Nikkei poet and educator; their second full-length collection, THE OTHER TREE, was the recipient of Harbor Editions’ Laureate Prize.
“My students need to see themselves as changemakers, and to know that the legacy of AAPI people is part of American and world history.”
Mindie Wu Sobrinski has been an educator for over 17+ years in New Jersey and has experience teaching middle school mathematics, middle school multiple disabilities, and is currently a special education, language/learning disabilities, & Asian American studies teacher at the high school level. She has her B.A. in History & Psychology from Rutgers University and her M.A.T in Teacher Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Her goal is to be able to provide her students with the knowledge of Asian American history, as well as embracing their own ethnic backgrounds.
“AAPI history is a crucial part of American history and should be taught in schools… students don’t have a full understanding or knowledge of how America was built so bringing AAPI histories into the conversation is so vital to educating the future generations of leaders.”
This third TAAS Fellowship cohort marks growing momentum in New Jersey to reimagine inclusive history. With their diverse experiences and shared commitment to representation, the 2025–2026 Fellows will help transform teacher professional development and bring AAPI stories to classrooms statewide.
The TAAS Fellowship program is supported by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and The Asian American Foundation. Learn more at teachasianamericanstories.org.