Fellowship Program
The Turnaround Arts Fellowship Program is a professional development opportunity for educators and artists seeking to further their teaching practice by engaging arts-full strategies, collaboration, and research.
Join a vibrant community of educators dedicated to transforming learning through the arts. This fellowship provides the support and resources needed to develop culturally responsive, joyful, and arts-integrated teaching practices that foster belonging and student success.
Meet the
Current Fellows
During the school year, fellows meet monthly in virtual sessions to explore the science of belonging, arts-full teaching strategies and approaches, practice-based reflections, and other relevant topics. Fellows work in groups to explore the belonging outcomes that are the result of intentional planning for students and educators in the three domains of the learning framework: Experiencing the Arts, Making Art, and Connecting Through the Arts.
Together, fellows contribute to Turnaround Arts’ ongoing research and development of the framework centering on arts-full educational environments for belonging.
Chelsey (Barmore) Brunelle
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Program Manager at Turnaround Arts: California, Chelsey collaborates with schools to develop strategic arts plans and supports partnerships with community organizations and teaching artists statewide. In addition, she co-designs equity-centered workshops and serves as a thought partner for school leaders, exploring how the arts can be leveraged to provide access to learning for all students. As a Teach For America alumna and former educator, Chelsey has honed her skills in both the Bay and Greater Los Angeles areas. Notably, she established a nationally recognized student-run literary magazine to amplify youth voices through empowered artistic expression.
Abigail Dias
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Abigail is a science teacher at Roger Williams Middle School in Providence, RI. She has been teaching for four years and working with Turnaround Arts for the last three years. She played a key role in reestablishing her school’s musical program after a two-year pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has now put on three shows. As a science teacher, she integrates arts-based teaching practices into her curriculum, and has led professional developments to help other teachers do the same. Most recently, she led a group of students to perform at the 2024 Turnaround Arts Student Showcase.
Mary Deputie
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Mary is currently a second grade teacher at Bethune Arts Elementary in Minneapolis, MN. This incoming school year will be her ninth year of teaching and working with Turnaround Arts. She is proud to work in an environment that promotes the importance of arts education, especially in an urban setting. She believes art integration is imperative to development and creating well-rounded, well-prepared learners and future creative leaders.
Andrew Jones
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Andrew is currently in his third year of teaching second grade at Woodville Elementary in Richmond, VA. In addition to that, he is also a working artist and works primarily with acrylic paint. He typically works within the realms of afrosurrealism with an aim to represent black people in more positive ways.
Lee Petruzzelli
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Lee is a teacher for the New York City Department of Education at J.H.S. 144. For the past 20 years, he has been teaching instrumental music/band at J.H.S 144 in the Bronx. He has degrees in music, music education, and composition from the State University of New York at Albany as well as Hunter College in New York City. At J.H.S. 144, Lee functions as the Arts Liaison to the Department of Education and has partnered with Lincoln Center’s Arts in the Middle, Exploring the Arts, Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation, and Turnaround Arts.
Brandite “Brandi” Reed
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Brandi grew up in the city of Milwaukee's arts and entertainment district of Bronzeville. Under the guidance of her mother Linda Reed, Brandi and her sisters were afforded the opportunity to be mentored by many teaching artists such as Melvin Rhyne and the late great Jazz legend, Dr. Betty Carter. Brandi is a proud alumni of Dr. Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program at Brooklyn Academy of Music and Washington DC’s Kennedy Center. These experiences have not only influenced Brandi’s artistry, but her love of music and her passion for quality arts education as well. She is currently a Teaching Artist in three of Milwaukee’s Turnaround Arts Schools through community partner First Stage Children’s Theater.
Demond Richardson
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Demond is the assistant principal at Roosevelt Middle School for the Arts in Milwaukee, WI. He has been in education for 26 years, specifically working in middle schools. He considers himself a middle school specialist. He enjoys outdoor activities that include golf, camping, and hiking. He looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals regarding art implementation into the classroom.
Ann Salvador
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Ann is a fifth grade teacher at Abbott Elementary in California, and has taught for 20 years as an upper grade teacher. Besides teaching, she loves to volunteer for Sierra Club ICO, which takes students and families hiking and camping. In her spare time, she loves to travel, especially to places known for their BBQs! Overall, she enjoys life and learning new things.
Crystal Tapia
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Crystal is the Community Schools Case Manager at Washington Elementary in Lynwood Unified School District in California. With a focus on the Community Schools initiative, Crystal spearheads efforts to foster community engagement and student success. Passionate about equity and holistic support, she champions inclusive environments where every student thrives.
Shalina Wallace
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Shalina currently teaches English to multilingual learners at Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines, IA. She also teaches an after-school program in Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that integrates music, dance, movement, language, and history. Prior to teaching English, she taught elementary music for 10 years. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and hiking with her family.
How do I become a Fellow?
Information on the next Fellowship cohort will be available soon.