Meet the Board
Executive Board
Melissa M. Morris, President
Music Teachers for Global Peace
"Embrace diversity for the beauty it was meant to be"
With 20+ years of experience as a music educator, Melissa believes that music has the power to light the way towards peace and harmony. Impassioned by her students, she knows they are more powerful than even they believe. She works with them to help them see their potential while building programs that will impact the lives of those in and out of her classroom walls.
Michael DeVellis, Vice President
Music Teachers for Global Peace
With 20+ years of experience as a composer, performer and teacher, Michael has seen the world through the eyes of a touring performer, written music representative of his experiences and found that his global excursions have shaped his goals as a teacher. Knitting his musical outlook with his teacher mindset, Michael is sure to weave life experiences into every lesson while helping young people see they can be the change they want to see in their world.
Music Teachers for Global Peace
With 20+ years of experience as a composer, performer and teacher, Michael has seen the world through the eyes of a touring performer, written music representative of his experiences and found that his global excursions have shaped his goals as a teacher. Knitting his musical outlook with his teacher mindset, Michael is sure to weave life experiences into every lesson while helping young people see they can be the change they want to see in their world.
Board of Directors
Robert Rams,
Member of the Board Robert Rams is a life-long resident of Staten Island, New York. Earned his Bachelors Degree from Wagner College, and a Masters Degree in Music Education and a Certificate in Administration and Management from Brooklyn College. He has been a member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) since 1990.
Mr. Rams is currently director of music at Staten Island Technical High School and Wagner College. He serves as the Supervising Administrator of Salute to Music program which provides music enrichment to middle school age children in all five boroughs of New York City free of charge. Mr. Rams is also a Board Member of the Friend of Music. |
Connie Hickey, Treasurer |
Akash Patel,
Member of the Board Akash Patel has connected all of his classrooms with people and professionals worldwide using virtual platforms such as Adobe Connect, Skype and Google Hangout. At first, he started inviting his friends from social media platforms. Eventually, he mobilised over 1,000 volunteers from over 150 countries to join his Global Connect database at the World Experiences Foundation, a charitable organisation he founded. He frequently speaks at local and national conferences about his classroom experience. He has also trained over 5,000 teachers in Oklahoma to use the Global Connect database and other multicultural programs.
Today, thousands of Oklahoma and Texas children travel to countries worldwide through World Experiences Foundation’s Global Connect and International Day programs. |