Who We Are
Polina Sabinin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Bridgewater State University
[email protected]
Dr. Polina Sabinin is a mathematics education professor. She loves to help practicing teachers, future teachers, as well as kids and their parents see mathematics as beautiful, understandable, powerful, and … FUN! At Bridgewater State University, through her work on the Games Teachers Play project, she has collected over 100 games which help kids strengthen their mathematical reasoning in interactive and enjoyable ways. Polina has co-authored Smart Cookies (a brain boosting logic game) and is working on an interactive software which will help teachers bring logic into their classrooms. In Georgia, she is researching the mathematics education in primary schools and providing professional development for Engage in Math, focusing on logical and spacial reasoning. Polina spent summers in Georgia with her family when she was a child, co-lead an undergraduate research trip to Georgia in 2016, and is very excited to be back again this year!
Assistant Professor
Bridgewater State University
[email protected]
Dr. Polina Sabinin is a mathematics education professor. She loves to help practicing teachers, future teachers, as well as kids and their parents see mathematics as beautiful, understandable, powerful, and … FUN! At Bridgewater State University, through her work on the Games Teachers Play project, she has collected over 100 games which help kids strengthen their mathematical reasoning in interactive and enjoyable ways. Polina has co-authored Smart Cookies (a brain boosting logic game) and is working on an interactive software which will help teachers bring logic into their classrooms. In Georgia, she is researching the mathematics education in primary schools and providing professional development for Engage in Math, focusing on logical and spacial reasoning. Polina spent summers in Georgia with her family when she was a child, co-lead an undergraduate research trip to Georgia in 2016, and is very excited to be back again this year!
Nicole Glen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Bridgewater State University
[email protected]
Dr. Nicole Glen is an elementary science education professor. She loves working with pre-service and
in-service teachers to help them experience the wonders of science and the joys of engineering. Most recently, her projects have included teaching her sons' second grade and preschool classes how to design like engineers through creating anemometers, playdough, leprechaun traps, and introducing them to the country of Georgia. At Bridgewater State University, she created a series of science and engineering workshops for the early childhood and elementary education majors. She also enjoys teaching science methods courses, mentoring honors students, and working with the NSF Robert Noyce Science Teacher Scholars program on her campus. She is the mother of a 7 year old son, 4 year old son, and 2 year old daughter. Her husband is an earth science teacher at a local high school. She is very excited that they are all traveling with her to Georgia this year.
Associate Professor
Bridgewater State University
[email protected]
Dr. Nicole Glen is an elementary science education professor. She loves working with pre-service and
in-service teachers to help them experience the wonders of science and the joys of engineering. Most recently, her projects have included teaching her sons' second grade and preschool classes how to design like engineers through creating anemometers, playdough, leprechaun traps, and introducing them to the country of Georgia. At Bridgewater State University, she created a series of science and engineering workshops for the early childhood and elementary education majors. She also enjoys teaching science methods courses, mentoring honors students, and working with the NSF Robert Noyce Science Teacher Scholars program on her campus. She is the mother of a 7 year old son, 4 year old son, and 2 year old daughter. Her husband is an earth science teacher at a local high school. She is very excited that they are all traveling with her to Georgia this year.
Emily Capar
Elementary Education and Sociology Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2019
Emily Capar is an elementary education and sociology major. She has worked with children, ages 5-10, in an after school program and has taught swim lessons. Emily is currently a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and and is involved in many philanthropic activities such as Relay for Life and Gifts to Give. This will be Emily's third trip abroad. Previously, she has traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, France and Puerto Rico. In Georgia, she will be researching different parenting styles that result in different behaviors in minors.
Elementary Education and Sociology Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2019
Emily Capar is an elementary education and sociology major. She has worked with children, ages 5-10, in an after school program and has taught swim lessons. Emily is currently a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and and is involved in many philanthropic activities such as Relay for Life and Gifts to Give. This will be Emily's third trip abroad. Previously, she has traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, France and Puerto Rico. In Georgia, she will be researching different parenting styles that result in different behaviors in minors.
Jessica Spencer
Elementary Education and Psychology Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Jessica Spencer is double majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology with a minor in Special Education. This will be her first trip abroad and she is very excited! She is a lifeguard and swim instructor at her local YMCA. Her research in Georgia will focus on how children with special needs are treated mentally and physically, inside and outside of the classroom. She is also interested in learning about how the classrooms in Georgia are managed and excited to take these teaching aspects into consideration when she has her own elementary classroom someday!
Elementary Education and Psychology Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Jessica Spencer is double majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology with a minor in Special Education. This will be her first trip abroad and she is very excited! She is a lifeguard and swim instructor at her local YMCA. Her research in Georgia will focus on how children with special needs are treated mentally and physically, inside and outside of the classroom. She is also interested in learning about how the classrooms in Georgia are managed and excited to take these teaching aspects into consideration when she has her own elementary classroom someday!
Johnathan Nop
Physical Education and Mathematics Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Johnathan Nop is a senior at Bridgewater State University and will be heading into his 5th year. He is double majoring in Physical Education with a Recreation Concentration and Mathematics. Apart from school, he is on the BSU Men's Cross Country team and Men's Track team, generally specializing in middle distance events. This is the first time that he has ever been out of the US, so he is excited! While in Georgia, he will be researching what the typical day of a Georgian is like, including how physical activity is a part of that day.
Physical Education and Mathematics Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Johnathan Nop is a senior at Bridgewater State University and will be heading into his 5th year. He is double majoring in Physical Education with a Recreation Concentration and Mathematics. Apart from school, he is on the BSU Men's Cross Country team and Men's Track team, generally specializing in middle distance events. This is the first time that he has ever been out of the US, so he is excited! While in Georgia, he will be researching what the typical day of a Georgian is like, including how physical activity is a part of that day.
Jim Littleton
Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist
Jim Littleton is a business man in Waltham Massachusetts. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS). Jim has his Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Accounting from Boston College and his Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts. Jim has a love of travel and has traveled to many different countries. This trip will be Jim’s fourth participation in Bridgewater State University’s Travel Program. Jim is also on the Board of Trustees of a private K-6 School in Massachusetts. In Georgia, Jim is interested in exploring ways one can increase the interest of female students in STEM subjects
Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist
Jim Littleton is a business man in Waltham Massachusetts. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS). Jim has his Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Accounting from Boston College and his Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts. Jim has a love of travel and has traveled to many different countries. This trip will be Jim’s fourth participation in Bridgewater State University’s Travel Program. Jim is also on the Board of Trustees of a private K-6 School in Massachusetts. In Georgia, Jim is interested in exploring ways one can increase the interest of female students in STEM subjects
Justin Glen
Earth Science Teacher
Apponequet High School
Justin Glen is a high school science teacher in Lakeville, MA. He has a bachelors degree in meteorology and masters degree in secondary education. He recently successfully launched a weather balloon with his meteorology class. He is helping his high school start an engineering program. He is also one of the technology integration experts at his school, conducting many professional development sessions for the teachers in his school and presenting his ideas at state and national science education conferences. He is traveling with his wife and three young children on his first trip to Georgia. Justin is looking forward to learning more about the geology of Georgia.
Earth Science Teacher
Apponequet High School
Justin Glen is a high school science teacher in Lakeville, MA. He has a bachelors degree in meteorology and masters degree in secondary education. He recently successfully launched a weather balloon with his meteorology class. He is helping his high school start an engineering program. He is also one of the technology integration experts at his school, conducting many professional development sessions for the teachers in his school and presenting his ideas at state and national science education conferences. He is traveling with his wife and three young children on his first trip to Georgia. Justin is looking forward to learning more about the geology of Georgia.
Hayley Wright
Elementary Education and English Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2022
Hayley Wright is an English and Elementary Education major and a freshman at Bridgewater State University. This is her second trip overseas and she is beyond thrilled to be going on another adventure. In Georgia, she will be researching the unique dialect and the history behind how the Georgian language came to be. She will also be teaching the young Georgian students how to write poetry to practice their English language learning.
Mariah Fossella
Biology and Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Mariah Fossella is a senior biology and chemistry double major at BSU. She is the president of the Cheerleading Club, vice president and co-founder of Sociology, Politics, and Conversation, and treasurer of the Biology Club. She loves traveling and hopes to join the peace corps after graduating in spring 2018. While in Georgia, Mariah will be researching the technology resources available to scientists and engineers, and the evolution of their technological advances for conducting scientific research.
Rachel Mehmel
Elementary Education and Economics Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2017
Rachel Mehmel is an honors Elementary Education and Economics major recent graduate. She has volunteered at multiple children's museums and child programs in the past. This summer, after our trip, she will be working at an environmental science camp. As Rachel is from Cape Cod, she has a particular interest in methods of erosion control. She has vacationed in Spain and France as a child, but this will be her first study abroad experience. In Georgia, she is studying how environmental studies is presented to children and she will be teaching a lesson on animal adaptations by climate.
Anghine Picault
Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Anghine Picault is a senior studying Physical Chemistry. She is an upbeat, enthusiastic, and motivated person who enjoys learning and applying new things that involves using her hands. She is a team player who is attentive to detail and able to work in a fast paced environment. She is multilingual: fluent in English, Haitian Creole, and French. She is also a mother to a beautiful little girl. Anghine loves to travel and cannot wait to learn about this beautiful country named Georgia! While in Georgia, she will be researching traditional medical healing techniques and the prominence and practices of the techniques throughout the country.
J.F. Welch
Mathematics and Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
J.F. Welch has a love of travel and has been to many countries. He is looking forward to visiting Georgia for the first time. While in Georgia, he will be researching historical ways of how counting and numerical systems have developed in the region. He will also be teaching a high school math lesson on calculation. He notes, "Before I am done I will have changed the world and none will know my name."
Elementary Education and English Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2022
Hayley Wright is an English and Elementary Education major and a freshman at Bridgewater State University. This is her second trip overseas and she is beyond thrilled to be going on another adventure. In Georgia, she will be researching the unique dialect and the history behind how the Georgian language came to be. She will also be teaching the young Georgian students how to write poetry to practice their English language learning.
Mariah Fossella
Biology and Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Mariah Fossella is a senior biology and chemistry double major at BSU. She is the president of the Cheerleading Club, vice president and co-founder of Sociology, Politics, and Conversation, and treasurer of the Biology Club. She loves traveling and hopes to join the peace corps after graduating in spring 2018. While in Georgia, Mariah will be researching the technology resources available to scientists and engineers, and the evolution of their technological advances for conducting scientific research.
Rachel Mehmel
Elementary Education and Economics Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2017
Rachel Mehmel is an honors Elementary Education and Economics major recent graduate. She has volunteered at multiple children's museums and child programs in the past. This summer, after our trip, she will be working at an environmental science camp. As Rachel is from Cape Cod, she has a particular interest in methods of erosion control. She has vacationed in Spain and France as a child, but this will be her first study abroad experience. In Georgia, she is studying how environmental studies is presented to children and she will be teaching a lesson on animal adaptations by climate.
Anghine Picault
Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
Anghine Picault is a senior studying Physical Chemistry. She is an upbeat, enthusiastic, and motivated person who enjoys learning and applying new things that involves using her hands. She is a team player who is attentive to detail and able to work in a fast paced environment. She is multilingual: fluent in English, Haitian Creole, and French. She is also a mother to a beautiful little girl. Anghine loves to travel and cannot wait to learn about this beautiful country named Georgia! While in Georgia, she will be researching traditional medical healing techniques and the prominence and practices of the techniques throughout the country.
J.F. Welch
Mathematics and Chemistry Major
Bridgewater State University, Class of 2018
J.F. Welch has a love of travel and has been to many countries. He is looking forward to visiting Georgia for the first time. While in Georgia, he will be researching historical ways of how counting and numerical systems have developed in the region. He will also be teaching a high school math lesson on calculation. He notes, "Before I am done I will have changed the world and none will know my name."