Brody Fulton

Learning Support Coordinator @ American School of Brasilia

Brody is a dedicated and passionate educator who specializes in Inclusive Education. He is currently the Learning Support Coordinator at the American School of Brasilia, where he works to ensure that all students have the tools they need to achieve their academic goals. Within his role and personal life, he advocates for the rights for students with disability to try and bring about change (at whatever level) to make the lives better for all students. Brody is an Australian who now resides in Brazil. He is married with two beautiful sons.

Marika Smith

Grade 1 teacher @ Escola Americana de BeloHorizonte (EABH)

I am a Grade 1 teacher at Escola Americana de Belo Horizonte (EABH), embarking on my first international teaching post after 18 years of teaching experience in the United States. I hold a Master’s degree in Literacy Development and a certificate in Dual Language Specialization, demonstrating my commitment to inclusive education practices for all students. I am a dedicated educator who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to my classroom. My husband and I are embracing our empty nester years by teaching internationally while our four children enjoy their lives in the States. Outside of the classroom, I love hiking, reading, exploring new places, and spending quality time with my husband and our dog, Dandy.

Marla Star

Optimal Learning Services Teacher @ Graded – The American School of São Paulo

Marla is an Optimal Learning Services teacher at Graded in São Paulo, Brazil. She has a Masters in Special Education and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership. She started teaching in Chicago but has since lived and taught in five other countries around the world.
Marla has two cats, is an accomplished runner (57 marathons!), and as a painter, she has exhibited works in the Tokyo National Museum, Madrid, and Miguel Cervantes Avenida Paulista.

Christina Fraser

PYP Coordinator@ EABH – The American School of Belo Horizonte

Christina has always been a supporter of Student Support Services within schools. In her 24 years as a teacher, she has worked with students across all spectrums and is dyslexic herself, which allowed her to connect well with students who needed accommodations, modifications, and extra support. While studying for her Master’s in Educational Leadership, Christina relied on the same strategies she used with her students, to support her learning challenges of dyslexia, Irlens Syndrome, and audio processing. Christina was born in Australia but worked in Japan, Canada, and the UAE before moving to Brazil in 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys gaming, reading, and traveling.

Juliana Heleodoro

Elementary Learning Support and EAL Coordinator at the International School of Curitiba

Juliana is a Neuropychopedagoge and has a specialization in Brazilian educational law and Special Education. She started her teaching career in the U.S and moved back to  Brazil 10 years ago. Juliana fell in love with special education, helping her older son navigate life on the autism spectrum. Juliana loves to cook and explore new places with her two sons.

Pauline Mott

Student Support Services Coordinator @ EABH – The American School of Belo Horizonte

For the last 3 years, Pauline has served as the Lower School Student Support Services Coordinator at the American School of Belo Horizonte. She has an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading Intervention and is currently working on her MEd in Special Education. Her reason for championing inclusion and inclusive educational practices and serving through SENIA is that she is enthusiastic and passionate about ensuring that all children experience success emotionally, mentally, socially, and academically. Pauline firmly believes that our world is more positive, compassionate, and healthy when all people are given respect and dignity! In her spare time, Pauline loves practicing Pilates, cooking, and reading.

Travis Evans-Sago

EAL Teacher for 4th & 5th Graders@Escola Americana de Campinas

Travis Evans-Sago, currently working at Escola Americana de Campinas and soon to join Graded – The American School of São Paulo, has dedicated his life to promoting inclusion long before it became a global focus. From amplifying queer voices at a conservative university to researching the language learning of immigrants and their children, he has consistently strived to incorporate diverse perspectives into his life and work, believing that everyone has a unique story and viewpoint. Travis is committed to ensuring these stories are seen, told, understood, and, most importantly, included. On a personal note, Travis and his husband, Gabriel, are proud cat dads to Meimei, whom they affectionately call “the angel,” and Yuki, their “loving devil.”