Curriculum Team | Close Up Foundation

Tony Berardo

Education:
Central Michigan University, BA -Political Science

Wichita State University, MPA

Hometown:
Fraser, MI

"During this time of increasing political polarization, non-partisan and multi-partisan organizations, such as Close Up, can and do, play an important role in perpetuating and supporting democratic norms and the American system."

Michael Kofi Boateng

Education:
Brigham Young University (Hawaii), BA - Political Science

Norwich University, MA - Diplomacy

Hometown:
Koforidua, Ghana

“My favorite part of Close Up is the unique non-partisan approach to teaching.”

Erin Burney

Education:
University of Central Arkansas, BA - History

Hometown:
Little Rock, AR

"I’m excited to teach students about our nation’s history in Washington, DC, and prepare them to have influential discussions with their Senators."

Katie Chandler

Education:
St. Catherine’s University, BA - French and History

Jagiellonian University, MA - European Studies

Hometown:
Platteville, WI

“The things I love best about Close Up are the diversity of students we work with and that all our instructors share a genuine passion for civic education.”

John Cheeseman

Education:
George Mason University, BA - History

Hometown:
Alexandria, VA

“The best part of being a TPS is working with teachers from all across the country and overseas, imparting knowledge of our history and government, and learning from them in return.”

Jacob Israel Chilton

Education:
American River College, AA - Jazz Studies

University of California – Davis, BA - English

Johns Hopkins University, MA - English

Hometown:
Baltimore, MD

“Washington, DC, is rich with history, symbols, power, and contradiction–all ideal objects of examination and analysis. I couldn’t ask for a better classroom to teach in.”

Tim Cleasby

Education:
Guilford College, BA Political Science

Hometown:
Washington, DC

“The most exciting part of being a Close Up program instructor is the ability to interact with students from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about political issues. It’s rewarding to play a role in inspiring them to be civically engaged adults.”

Jared Conn

Education:
Otterbein University, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Wintersville, OH

“I enjoy helping students think about and express their own viewpoints about government and what it means to be an active citizen in the US.”

Michael Covin

Education:
Rutgers University, BA - Political Science and History

Hometown:
Clifton, NJ

“The most exciting part of being a Close Up instructor is getting to work with different students from around the country and utilizing different learning environments in DC as a classroom to further expand ways to inform, inspire, and empower students.”

Lauren Ebersole

Education:
Catawba College, BA - Political Science

American University, MA - Ethics, Peace, and Global Studies

Hometown:
Hagerstown, MD

“The best part of working at Close Up is hearing and seeing those moments when students make connections between what they’re learning on program and their own lives back in their communities.”

Kelcie Fay

Education:
University of Kansas, BA - History

Hometown:
Shrewsbury, MA

"In today’s political climate, too often people are unable to have productive debates with one another. My goal as a Close Up program instructor is to equip students with the skills necessary to confidently voice their opinions while also acknowledging the merits in alternative viewpoints."

Joe Geraghty

Education:
Le Moyne College, BA - Religious Studies

Hometown:
Yorktown Heights, NY

“I love working at Close Up because I believe that our mission to inform, inspire, and empower the youth of America is vitally important for the future of our great country.”

Emily Gibson

Education:
Northern Arizona University, BA - History and Art History

University of Pennsylvania, Teaching Certification

Hometown:
San Leandro, CA, and Phoenix, AZ

“I love working for Close Up because I believe that young people are a vital part of the American political environment. Every week we get to help students to become actively engaged in their communities and the country.”

Kevin Gomes

Education:
Georgetown University, BA - English

Hometown:
Grand Island, NE

“The greatest reward of working with our instructors is witnessing the value of engaged citizens in action; their example inspires me as much as it inspires their students.”

Elisa Ferrara Gunduz

Education:
Boston University, BA - Political Science and History

Hometown:
Hackensack, NJ

“I love working with students through the Close Up Foundation because we are giving them the opportunity to engage in controversial public policy discussions that spark a passion to continue to be active participants in our democracy, while also instilling values of civil discourse and an understanding of how policy affects others.”

Daniel Hastings

Education:
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, BA - History

Hometown:
Geneva, NY

“I love working at Close Up because it uses the Washington, DC, as a classroom, which allows for hands-on learning.”

Katie Jones-Gray

Education:
University of Kansas, BA - Architectural Studies and History of Art

University of Texas at El Paso, M.Ed. - Special Education

Hometown:
Kansas City, MO

“It's so inspiring to see, week after week, that students can and do have engaging discussions, that they listen and learn from each other, and that they form a community where all members work together to solve the problems we face today.”

Wendy Low

Education:
University of Denver, BS - Biological Sciences

Hometown:
St. Louis, MO

"The best part of working at Close Up is helping students build their skills and confidence speaking up about the issues that matter to them."

Abigail Manning

Education:
Alfred University, BA - Global Studies
Concentration in International Relations,
Minors in Political Science and History

Hometown:
Brattleboro, VT

“I think our mission is important because it helps students realize the power and influence that they have to make change and participate in politics. I am also passionate about experiential learning because I remember the impact it had on my own learning experiences.”

Sante Mastriana

Education:
University of Pennsylvania, BA - International Studies and Chinese Language and Culture

Hunter College, MA - TESOL Education

Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA

“Every day at Close Up I have the opportunity to change the lives of young people across the country and empower them to change the future. It’s hard to beat that.”

Raven Moore

Education:
The College at Brockport, SUNY

Hometown:
Middletown, NY

"The most exciting part of being a Close Up instructor is having impactful conversations with students who are passionate about varying issues. These discussions are important because student’s opinions about pressing issues can be discounted because of their youth."

Greta Mosley

Education:
Virginia Tech, BS - Biology; Minor -Spanish

Hometown:
Anchorage, AK

"I am excited to be working with students from all over the country with different backgrounds and helping them see that their voices matter."

Allen Pinn

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - History

Hometown:
Lynchburg, VA

“I love working with students from all over the country. It’s interesting to see how they interact with one another and how their viewpoints differ.”

Meredith Polm

Education:
University of Maryland, BS - Psychology and Public Health

University of Missouri, MA - Education

Hometown:
Baltimore, Maryland

“I love meeting students with unique perspectives and seeing those perspectives grow as they engage with new people from across the country and experience Washington, DC, together.”

Katie Proctor

Education:
Kennesaw State University, BA - History

Hometown:
Allegan, MI

"I’m excited for students to learn more about how and why it is important to participate in our democracy. Using DC as a tool to teach students is a wonderful opportunity for them to see democracy in action!"

Shawn Ralston

Education:
Binghamton University, BA - English and Literature

Hometown:
Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, NY

“Close Up provides individuals with the opportunity to engage in challenging dialogue with people from all walks of life.”

Isaac Shorser

Education:
American University, BA - Justice and Law with Criminology concentration; MS - Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy

Hometown:
River Forest, IL

“I am passionate about empowering kids to be more politically involved through Close Up’s programs. It is never too early to become more engaged in our political system, and I am very fortunate to inspire young people to increase their political efficacy.”

Dr. Daniel Wallace

Education:
City College of New York, BA - Political Science

Teachers College at Columbia University, M.Ed. and Ed.D.

Hometown:
Queens/ Brooklyn, NY

“I have worked in all levels of education. What I love about Close Up is creating learning spaces in which teachers can create new ideas and new stories, rethink methodologies, ignite new passions, and use their local communities as living classrooms."

Katie Whitmire

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - American Politics and History

Hometown:
Yorktown, VA

“I love working with students from across the country and seeing them exposed to different viewpoints that they may not hear in their own communities.”

Our Curriculum Team

Close Up’s Program Instructors are the heart and soul of our programs and ensure students have a safe, rewarding, and fun experience!

Our instructors have over 120 hours of curriculum and methodology training and are certified in First Aid and CPR.

MEET OUR CURRICULUM & PROGRAMS TEAM

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Close Up is a positive experience for students…