Our StafF

Bethany Hager is a leader in arts integration and adult professional development, currently serving as the Director of Louisiana A+ Schools at Louisiana State University (LSU). She has raised over $5 million to enhance K-12 education by integrating the arts into core curricula, fostering more engaging and equitable learning environments. As a PhD candidate in the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development at LSU, her research focuses on workplace grief, andragogy in adult training, self-directed learning for veterans, and transformative experiences, with a lens on feminist and critical theories.

 

Bethany's work explores how adults learn and grow through challenges such as grief and loss, and how these experiences can lead to transformative learning and career change. She has received several awards, including LSU’s Betty C. Harrison Scholarship, the Academy for Human Resource Development’s Cutting-Edge Award, and was one of ten graduate students selected nationally to conduct research in Japan.

 

Originally from Massachusetts, Bethany holds a BS in Communications from Suffolk University. She began her career in Boston and joined Teach For America in Louisiana, where she taught second grade. She later directed the Big Buddy Program's mentoring initiatives and served as the Director of Arts-in-Education for the Louisiana Division of the Arts, where she created the ICI Initiative—a successful pilot program for arts integration in schools. She has also served on panels for the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

 

Bethany lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Sean, and children, Abby and Lucas. Her commitment to education, social justice, and innovative research has made her a respected leader in the field.

Rachel Lock is a visionary educator and leader in the field of education, currently serving as the Program Director for Louisiana A+ Schools, a program of Louisiana State University. She has held this position with LAA+ since 2016, where she supervises a team of educators and arts specialists, providing impactful professional development to a diverse group of schools. 

Rachel began her academic journey at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2008. She started her teaching career the same year, quickly developing a passion for using visual arts as a teaching strategy in her classroom. Her interest in arts integration deepened in 2009 when she joined the ICI (Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation) Initiative, which focused on promoting arts-integrated teaching strategies.

Throughout her nine years as an elementary classroom teacher, Rachel held various leadership roles that bridged the worlds of academia and the arts. At SJ Montgomery Elementary in Lafayette, LA, she taught Math and Science and led initiatives to promote positive behavior and enhance arts in education. As the school's Arts Liaison, she introduced innovative methods to integrate visual arts into the classroom, inspiring both teachers and administrators. Rachel’s leadership in arts integration was further highlighted at Alice Boucher Elementary, where she co-chaired the Arts Integration team and facilitated professional development sessions for teachers. 

As a Louisiana A+ Schools Fellow from 2013 to 2016, Rachel provided ongoing professional development to educators, focusing on enhancing arts integration in schools. Her leadership was evident as she served as a team lead for Summer Institutes and collaborated with various Louisiana A+ Schools.

In 2020, in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rachel created a virtual learning platform for Louisiana A+ Schools, A+University: Louisiana, comprising 14 self-paced online modules to empower educators with strategies for teaching academic content through the arts. Rachel Lock's dedication to education, creativity, and innovation continues to inspire her colleagues and students, making her a driving force in the advancement of arts in education.

Mary Nunnery-Williams is a dedicated professional who is passionate about education and community development. With over a decade of experience in Louisiana schools, Mary has consistently demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students and fostering solid relationships within the community.

 

Currently serving as the Associate Director of Schools and Community Relations at Louisiana A+ Schools, Mary is pivotal in bridging the gap between schools and the broader community. In this capacity, she utilizes her expertise to cultivate partnerships, facilitate communication, and implement initiatives supporting educational excellence and community engagement.

 

Mary's journey in education began at Southern University A &M of Baton Rouge, LA, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Building upon her foundation in social services, she also pursued her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, further enhancing her skills in supporting individuals' universal well-being.

 

Prior to her current role, Mary gained invaluable experience as a classroom teacher in the East Baton Rouge School System and Children Charter Middle School. Through her teaching experiences, she developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the educational landscape, shaping her universal approach to educational leadership.

 

Mary Nunnery-Williams has dedicated her career to the education sector and worked for various non-profit organizations within the East Baton Rouge Community. Her employment with the Big Buddy Program, Junior Achievement, and Volunteer of America, as well as her instrumental contributions to these organizations, underline her dedication to addressing critical social issues and fostering community development.

 

Outside of her professional roles, Mary previously served on several advisory boards, such as LSU 4HAgcenter, the Urban Congress-Mentoring Network, and the I Care Advisory Board.