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Vols Teach Alum Selected as Global Educator of the Year

Vols Teach Alum Selected as Global Educator of the Year

Vols Teach Alum Selected as Global Educator of the Year

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Vols Teach Alum Selected as Global Educator of the Year

Kirsten Salonga, a 2017 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and minor in Secondary Education through Vols Teach is the 2025 AFS-USA Global Educator of the Year. Solonga received the honor at the March AFS-USA Global Conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Each year, AFS-USA honors an exceptional global educator to recognize and celebrate the vital role educators play in fostering a more peaceful world. The selected educator demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating global engagement and intercultural learning into their daily instruction, embodying the knowledge, skills, and mindset of a globally competent educator. Through this annual recognition, AFS-USA aims to inspire more educators to incorporate cultural awareness and global perspectives into their classrooms, empowering students to become active global citizens.

Kirsten Salonga (second from left) With Her Award

Salonga, an English as a Second Language (ESL) Biology and Environmental Science teacher and Science Department Chair, is recognized for her outstanding commitment to integrating global perspectives into her teaching.

Recently, the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions selected Salonga as one of 35 PreK-12 classroom and informal educators from across the continent to be part of their 16th cohort of Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. As a Fellow, she had the opportunity to embark on a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyage, “Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness,” aboard one of Lindblad Expeditions’ state-of-the-art expedition vessels, National Geographic Quest. You can read more about Salonga’s Alaska adventure here.

“We are honored to present this award to Ms. Salonga,” said Tara Hofmann, President and CEO of AFS-USA. “Through her innovative instruction, intercultural learning initiatives, and dedication to creating international opportunities for students, she exemplifies what AFS-USA strives to achieve—empowering educators to cultivate active global citizens.”

Recognizing Excellence in Global Education

The AFS-USA Global Educator Award celebrates educators nationwide who incorporate cultural diversity, global competence, and internationalized concepts into their teaching, inspiring students to become engaged global citizens.

Salonga Speaking to Attendees at AFS-USA Global Conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia

Salonga’s impact is widely recognized within her school community. Benjamin Slyngstad, a fellow Biology teacher at Justice High School, praised her “innovative approach to the curriculum” and her “vivacious commitment to a student population that is sadly overlooked.” He highlighted her contributions to Fairfax County Public Schools, including the development of diverse science resources and her passion for exposing students to global perspectives.

Former student Karen Rosicela Orozco Carreto also shared a heartfelt recommendation, stating, “What sets Ms. Salonga apart is her ability to combine her love for teaching with her dedication to making the world a better place. She not only teaches science but also instills in her students the importance of empathy, collaboration, and global citizenship. Her lessons go far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she teaches.”

Honoring an Inspirational Educator

As the 2025 Global Educator of the Year, Salonga attended the annual AFS-USA Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Program Workshop in March, held in Tysons Corner, Virginia. There, she will receive her award, engage with educators and AFS-USA volunteers from across the U.S. and abroad—including participants from Indonesia, Egypt, and Thailand—and further expand her network of global education leaders.

For more information on AFS-USA’s exchange programs, visit www.afsusa.org. To learn about the AFS-USA Global Educator Award and the nomination process, visit www.afsusa.org/educators/global-awards.

Mark Finchum Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

Mark Finchum Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

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Mark Finchum Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

Mark Finchum

Mark Finchum’s academic journey is a testament to his commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, followed by a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction, and ultimately achieved a Ph.D. in Social Studies Education, all from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Throughout his 33-year tenure as a social studies educator, he consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching and unwavering dedication to his craft. He has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the Middle School Teacher of the Year and the Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award in Jefferson County. Mark’s contributions to the field were further acknowledged with prestigious honors such as the American History Teacher of the Year from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Finchum’s impact extends beyond the classroom and his involvement reflects his commitment to community engagement and historical preservation. His involvement includes: the Jefferson County Historical Society, Tennessee Geographic Alliance, the Governor John Sevier Memorial Association, and the East Tennessee Historical Society. He has served as the Past President and current Executive Director of the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies (TCSS), demonstrating his commitment to advancing social studies education statewide. Mark’s leadership extends to the national level as well, where he served as a board member for the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and chairs the NCSS Indigenous Education Community.

Finchum, along with his wife Sherry, co-founded Indian Creek Productions, Inc., which hosts the annual Spirit of Nations Powwow at Jefferson County High School, and conducts workshops for teachers’ professional development.

Other professional accomplishments include various consultative roles, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to advancing educational resources. His contributions to projects with organizations such as the Library of Congress, PBS News Hour, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Museum, Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, and various textbook publishers reflect his dedication to enhancing educational materials and experiences for students nationwide.

Denise Dean Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

Denise Dean Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

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Denise Dean Inducted into Educators Hall of Honor

Denise Dean

Denise Dean’s love for children is what led her to start the East Tennessee Freedom Schools where she is the Executive Director. ETFS delivers the Children’s Defense Funds’ Freedom Schools® program that helps children fall in love with reading and engage in social and civic action. They operate three sites, two in Knox County and one in Blount County. She is proud to offer a program that makes a difference and where communities of children and families can learn, love and flourish.

In 2003 Denise left IBM as an executive where she led and worked in the areas of sales, management training, executive coaching, and Organization Development. She left to become an elementary school teacher. She spent her first year of teaching with 5th-grade students in San Jose, CA. In subsequent moves she delivered programs and tutored children at elementary schools in Bethel, Connecticut, Dubai, U.A.E., and here in Knoxville, TN.

Denise’s IBM career, teacher training, and life experience have prepared her well for her current journey. Making the CDF Freedom Schools® program available to children in neighborhoods across East Tennessee is how she will leverage her experience to make a positive difference.

In addition to running ETFS, Denise serves on the boards of Muse Knoxville, the East Tennessee Foundation, the Community Building Institute, and Harmony Family Center.

Denise has a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, a Masters in Organization Development from American University, and a Teaching Credential from San Jose State University.

From the Green Book to the Orange Book: Travel, Tourism, and Resistance in the Black Community

From the Green Book to the Orange Book: Travel, Tourism, and Resistance in the Black Community

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From the Green Book to the Orange Book: Travel, Tourism, and Resistance in the Black Community

“Carry your Green Book with you. You may need it.”

If you were a Black traveler journeying through the segregated South, odds are you may have heard these words before setting off. From 1936 – 1967, The Negro Motorist Green Book published by Victor Hugo Green, was a guide where Black travelers found friendly businesses that would serve them while traveling. The Green Book, as it became widely known, helped many Black people safely navigate their travels during the Jim Crow Era.

Fast forward to 2023, and the launch of a new resource guide for the greater UT community entitled The Volunteer Orange Book. The Orange Book was initially conceived by a larger working group. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) asked for permission to move forward as a smaller project with Dorian L. McCoy, CEHHS Access and Engagement director, serving as the lead. However, McCoy will be the first to say that bringing The Orange Book to life was indeed a team effort, especially through the significant contributions of FUTURE intern, Asjha McAllister and CEHHS Marketing and Communications team.

This February, McCoy will moderate a panel about the legacy of the Green Book on Friday, February 13th, from 6-8 p.m. at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Presented by CEHHS Office of Access and Engagement, The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and the UT Commission for Black Communities, a highly-regarded panel will discuss the impact of the Green Book through the lenses of scholarly research and lived experiences.

Derek Alderman, Stefanie Benjamin, Sylvia Peters, and Theotis Robinson, Jr., comprise the panel and will discuss how the Green Book inspired a legacy of resistance and empowerment felt today in the Black community. All are invited to travel to the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and join in the conversation. It promises to be an enjoyable evening of learning and understanding.

Since its launch, The Orange Book has become a widely-utilized resource, offering minoritized populations at UT a guide to the Knoxville area and highlights a number of “hidden gems” in the small-business community. What started out as a simple book is morphing into a dynamic web site, with regularly-updated content sure to please many.

You can register at http://tiny.utk.edu/BHM-GreenBook