Introducing our 2024-2025 Eagle Rock Fellows

The Eagle Rock Fellowship offers a transformative educational experience that combines professional development with personal growth, focusing on mentorship, social justice, and innovative instruction. Each year, the program selects eight diverse individuals to form a supportive cohort, including instructional, Health and Wellness & Restorative Practices Fellows. The Fellowship emphasizes a commitment to education as a liberating force, challenging traditional norms and prioritizing anti-racist work and student-centered learning. Participants, regardless of their career stage, contribute meaningfully to the Eagle Rock community and leave with a profound understanding of social justice in education.

Clementine Lazar, our new Health and Wellness Fellow at Eagle Rock is a current MSW student at Smith College and is excited to bring her passion for social justice and holistic education to our community. She’s drawn to Eagle Rock’s commitment to nurturing engaged, empowered young leaders through experiential learning. 

Griffin Unger joins the Eagle Rock community as a Health and Wellness Fellow and has dedicated countless hours to organizing with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and teaching valuable life skills in the NYC Outward Bound Schools. Griffin is ready to contribute to ERS’ efforts to foster healthy, holistic lifestyles. We are excited to see how his passion for social justice and education will inspire both students and staff.

Asnoldo Benitez comes to Eagle Rock from the field education curriculum and instructor training team at Teton Science Schools. He will be drawing from his previous experience to grow ERS’ restorative practice work. Previously at Culture Seed, he led young men’s peer circles to help them navigate their emotions. He also brought natural science experiences to the young people in juvenile detention. He loves learning the methods and tools to deepen conversations.

Kahlea Branch is joining Eagle Rock as our new Societies and Cultures Instructional Fellow and her excitement for teaching sparked while working as a Writer Center Fellow at Towson University. Her philosophy focuses on meeting students where they are, providing tailored support, and facilitating access to broader resources. She is most looking forward to learning new teaching techniques and using them to meaningfully engage ERS students.

Lydia Wilbon comes to Eagle Rock as our Science Instructional Fellow and she focused on environmental studies at Loyola University Chicago and loves to get students excited to learn about the world around them. Lydia works to incorporate anti-racist practices into her daily interactions, curriculum development, and mentorship of students. 

Tanya Sopkin is our new Literature & Literacy Instructional Fellow and she first found her passion for working with students while serving as a camp counselor. Her journey from leading writing workshops to promoting community literacy showcases her commitment to fostering connections through storytelling. Tanya is thrilled about living in the Rocky Mountains, where she looks forward to building community and exploring the transformative power of education.

Lukas Chin is serving his third year as the Human Performance Fellow. This coming year Lukas will be teaching classes and supporting our Human Performance Center programming to provide opportunities for students to participate in sports off campus. Thank you Lukas for all you provide for our students, we look forward to another year with you!

Chemi Lewis is serving her third year as the Restorative Practices Fellow.  Chemi is an Eagle Rock Alumna from Spruce House and was connected to Eagle Rock through Harlem Children’s Zone. They earned a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado. Chemi has prior experience working with youth in many different settings, from youth camp coordinator, and coaching, to assisting with the Eagle Rock Wilderness Course.

If you care deeply about students, are committed to social justice, and are looking for a place where your unique experiences will be valued, the Eagle Rock Fellowship might be the perfect fit for you. This program is intentionally designed to support deep reflection and personal growth, with a thoughtful application process that ensures each Fellow is ready to make the most of their time at ERS. Whether you’re early in your career or seeking a new direction, ERS offers a rare opportunity to be part of a community that is reimagining education. We invite you to take the first step toward a transformative experience and apply today to be a part of our Fall 2025 Cohort.