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BBT Global Foundation

Building a Better Tomorrow

Empowering educators through global experiences that inspire personal reflection, well-being, elevate leadership and lead to classroom and systemic improvements.

Apply for a Fellowship

BBT Global Foundation

Building a Better
Tomorrow

Empowering educators through global experiences that inspire personal reflection, well-being, elevate leadership, and lead to classroom and systemic improvements.

Please read the information before applying

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Why We Exist

Teachers often lack access to inspiring global experiences that boost reflection, well-being, and leadership. Without equitable support, transformative growth remains out of reach, and so does systemic change in our schools. Through our work with school leaders, Teachers of the Year, International Ministries of Education, and school systems abroad, we aim to create possibilities like these:

  • Access for All — Educators deserve the chance to grow, regardless of financial barriers.
  • Global Connection — Cross-cultural experiences broaden perspectives and foster empathy.
  • Community of Support — Shared journeys create lasting bonds among passionate teachers.
  • Ripple Effect — Investing in educators uplifts entire classrooms and communities.

Please read the overview before filling out the application

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Apply for a Fellowship

Our Mission

The BBT Global Foundation is committed to empowering educators by providing funding for transformative global experiences…

1

Inspiration &
Well-being

Global travel ignites personal reflection and enhances emotional and mental wellness.

2

Elevating Teacher Leadership

We support educators to grow as leaders who can advocate for systemic improvements.

3

Creating a Community of Changemakers

Teachers come back ready to shift practices, row policy, and open possibilities in education.

Our 2027 Experiences

Through BBT Global Fellowship, educators take part in immersive, hands-on global experiences designed to empower teachers and bring real-world learning back to the classroom. These journeys go beyond sightseeing; blending cultural connection, meaningful exploration, and opportunities that help broaden perspective and inspire students.

France Fellowship
South Africa Fellowship

Meet Our Board

Our Board of Directors is made up of committed leaders and educators who guide our mission and ensure our programs remain impactful, inclusive, and aligned with our vision of empowering teachers through global experiences.

Kimberly Eckert

Founder/President

Kimberly Eckert is passionate about education and global exploration. With 16 years of experience as a teacher and leader, she has worked to support teachers across the pipeline while reducing barriers to the profession. She currently serves as Senior Advisor for Apprenticeship Development and Head of Instructional Innovation at Western Governors University.

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Kenny George

Founder

Ken, originally from the Chicago area, is a former elementary school principal, assistant principal, instructional leader, education professor and special education teacher for over 20 years. As a school leader, he led a team of educators to turn around three failing schools.

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April Dearden

Board Member

April Dearden is a nutrition educator, habit transformation specialist, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and mission-driven organizations through
education, behavior change, and community engagement. 

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Sheliah Durham

Board Member

Sheliah G. Durham is a lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education at Clemson University in South Carolina with over 30 years teaching experience in
both K-12 and Higher Ed.

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Mark Joseph

Board Member

An inaugural member of the Call Me MiSTER program, I have dedicated my career to educational leadership and service. 

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Joni Marionneaux Lacy

Board Member

Joni Lacy is an education leader and strategist passionate about developing people, strengthening systems, and creating experiences that expand what people see as possible.

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Fund a Fellow

Transform Education Through Global
Learning and Equity

Your support enables educators, especially those in under-resourced communities, to experience international collaboration that elevates instructional practice and expands opportunity for students. Together, we advance equity, strengthen teacher leadership, and drive meaningful, scalable change in schools.

Kimberly Eckert

Founder/President

Kimberly Eckert is passionate about education and global exploration. With 16 years of experience as a teacher and leader, she has worked to support teachers across the pipeline while reducing barriers to the profession. She currently serves as Senior Advisor for Apprenticeship Development and Head of Instructional Innovation at Western Governors University.

Kim has led many groups on international trips, including three to Kenya, and has guided high school students across the U.S. and to Greece. She believes in helping travelers see themselves in the world so they can see more of the world in themselves, fostering a sense of global citizenship. Kim believes that embracing global citizenship is essential to connecting across cultures and understanding our shared responsibility to shape a better world.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, making friends, playing video games, and building Legos with her daughter.

 
Kenny George

Founder

Ken, originally from the Chicago area, is a former elementary school principal, assistant principal, instructional leader, education professor and special education teacher for over 20 years. As a school leader, he led a team of educators to turn around three failing schools.

After working with hundreds of teachers and providing professional development for his faculty, Ken found another passion in post-secondary education where he enjoyed developing future teachers at Anderson University in South Carolina.

Ken received his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Furman University, MAT and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Carson-Newman College. When not working, you can find Ken with his wife Jenny, an elementary school teacher, sitting by a fire, playing sports with his two adult sons, Logan and Bailey, watching hockey or traveling around the world (another passion!).

April Dearden

Board Member

April Dearden is a nutrition educator, habit transformation specialist, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and mission-driven organizations through education, behavior change, and community engagement. Her work focuses on helping people turn intention into sustainable action by aligning daily habits with identity, purpose, and long-term impact.

April is the founder of The Habit Compass, a wellness and education platform centered on identity-based habit formation and practical nutrition education. Through her work, she has supported individuals in building sustainable health practices while also partnering with organizations on program development, outreach, and engagement strategies.

With a background in relationship-based sales, marketing, and experiential program design, April brings strong skills in recruitment, storytelling, and mission-driven growth. She has served on nonprofit boards and advisory teams, contributing to strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and event execution.

April believes deeply in the power of education and experience to broaden perspective and create connection. When not working, she enjoys sunrise walks, yoga, cooking and creating healthy recipes, journaling, and spending time with her family.

Sheliah Durham

Board Member

Sheliah G. Durham is a lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education at Clemson University in South Carolina with over 30 years teaching experience in both K-12 and Higher Ed. She has a passion for international education and taught abroad for over 13 years. Sheliah has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in Social Studies with an additional focus in international education. She is passionate about providing best practices in teacher education, equity, as well as meaningful real-life educational experiences that enriches the lives of individuals of all ages.

Mark Joseph

Board Member

An inaugural member of the Call Me MiSTER program, I have dedicated my career to educational leadership and service. After teaching elementary school in my hometown of Greenville, SC, I earned a master’s in administration from Clemson University and served as both a middle school Assistant Principal and Principal. My experience extends into academia, where I previously mentored aspiring teachers as an Associate Professor of Education at Anderson University. Currently, I serve as the Program Coordinator and National Partner Liaison for the Call Me MiSTER program at Clemson University, where I advocate to address the teacher shortage, develop young leaders in the teaching profession, and empower the next generation of educators.

Joni Marionneaux Lacy

Board Member

Joni Lacy is an education leader and strategist passionate about developing people, strengthening systems, and creating experiences that expand what people see as possible. With more than 30 years in education, including nine years as a gifted and talented teacher, she has spent more than two decades at the Louisiana Department of Education, where she currently serves as Talent Project Director. Throughout her career, she has led statewide initiatives that elevate educators, strengthen recognition systems, and celebrate excellence across Louisiana and beyond.

 

Over the years, Joni has had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from exceptional education stakeholders across the country. She has had the privilege of meeting, celebrating, amplifying, and shining a spotlight on thousands of educators and the impact they are making for students, communities, and beyond. These experiences have shaped her understanding of leadership, excellence, and the power of being seen and recognized for the difference they make.

 

Her global perspective was shaped by nine years as a Delta Air Lines flight attendant serving domestic and international routes, an experience that sparked a lifelong love of travel, culture, connection, and discovery. Joni believes that stepping outside what is familiar creates space for reflection, deepens perspective, and helps people see more possibilities in themselves and the world around them.

 

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, storytelling, discovering new places, creating meaningful connections, and the pursuit of joy.