Diversity and Mental Health for Educators

Texas Educators

Psych Hub is approved as a continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.

Nevada Educators

Psych Hub is an approved online provider for Nevada educators.

Montana Educators

Psych Hub is approved as an OPI Renewal Unit Provider.

Abigail Asper, MSW

Abigail Asper was Psych Hub's Clinical Research Manager from 2019 to 2021. During her time at Psych Hub she was responsible for ensuring that Psych Hub videos and learning hubs are evidence-based, clinically  sound, and trauma-informed as well, overseeing Psych Hub content research and continuing education initiatives.  Along with lived experience of mental illness and losing a loved one to suicide, Ms. Asper has years of professional  experience in mental health, social justice, and clinical settings. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from College of  Charleston Honors College and a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University Graduate School of Social  Service. Before joining the Psych Hub team, she worked as an NGO Representative to the United Nations for the  International Federation of Social Workers, a case manager on an assertive community treatment team for older  adults with serious mental illnesses, a victim advocate at a rape crisis center, and a phone counselor at a crisis  hotline. She is also a published author, editor, and researcher. Most recently, she was an editor of Behavioral Science  in the Global Arena, Volume I , a text for which she authored two chapters: “Migrant Adaptation and Well-Being” and  “Gender Equity and Reproductive Justice”.

Brandon J. Johnson, MHS

Brandon J. Johnson, MHS, MCHES is a tireless advocate for positive mental health and suicide prevention services for youth and adults across the country. Brandon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Morgan State University in 2008 and a Master of Health Science Degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2012. Currently, he serves as a Public Health Advisor at the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Suicide Prevention Branch at the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, Brandon serves as a Government Project Officer (GPO) for various suicide prevention grant programs that respectively target youth, adults, and health care systems. Brandon is also the GPO for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) which provides suicide-specific materials, webinars, and training to organizations and communities all over the country working to prevent suicides. Another highlight of Brandon’s career is his current role as the Co-Lead of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Faith Communities Task Force. The group works with faith communities all over the nation to equip them with tools and resources to combat the often stigmatized issue of suicide. Brandon serves as the subject matter expert in suicide among Black people and has lead numerous projects to develop resources and materials to specifically prevent suicide among African-American youth. Brandon is the creator of “The Black Mental Wellness Lounge,” a YouTube channel dedicated to discussing Black mental health and healing. The Black Mental Wellness Lounge is his YouTube page dedicated to the promotion of Black mental health tips, education, and resources for the community. Previously, Brandon served as the Director of Suicide and Violence Prevention for the State of Maryland where he worked in communities throughout the state to help develop strategies to end violence in various forms, such as community violence and human trafficking. In this role, Brandon also worked on the MD Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention as well as organized the annual Suicide Prevention Conference.

Danielle Kinsey

Danielle teaches first grade at Piper Prairie Elementary in Kansas City, Kansas. She began teaching in August 2012 after receiving her Elementary Education degree from Kansas State University. Danielle has taught first grade in Junction City and Topeka, Kansas, and learned a lot along the way. She grew up in the outskirts of Manhattan, Kansas and attended the Riley County school district Kindergarten through High School. In 2020, Danielle received her Master’s Degree from Baker University in Elementary Education and Instructional Technology. Her professional philosophy is to “Do what’s best for our kids.” She enjoys making learning practical for the 21st century with critical thinking and technology skills.

Dianne C. Vap

Dianne Vap has been in education for close to 30 years. She was a Para Educator for 17 years in special education. Dianne went back to school and completed her BS in Education with a minor in Special Education. She has taught fourth grade for 3 years and is now in her 10th year teaching 6th grade. She has enjoyed coaching junior high girls volleyball and basketball teams and is active in many school and community related activities. Dianne and her husband farm and ranch and have three children together, two daughter in laws and five grandchildren. They love to relax by riding their Harley Davidson and spending time with family and friends.

Melissa Pratt

Melissa Pratt is the senior professional programs manager in AAE’s Washington D.C. office. In this role, Melissa assists with a wide variety of projects, including office management, specialty recruiting programs, and research. Melissa also spearheads professional development initiatives and oversees the AAE Foundation National Teacher Scholarship & Classroom Grant program. Melissa graduated from Grove City College majoring in both History and Education. She spent ten years teaching middle school in private and public settings in North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Melissa’s passion is Social Studies education. Her teaching techniques in these subjects focused on implementing methods that stressed authentic learning and critical thinking skills, with heavy emphasis on primary documents, simulations, research, and the integration of technology. Having taught in rural, urban, public, and private settings, Melissa has observed that teachers in all situations face similar difficulties. She is passionate about helping teachers, no matter their teaching circumstance, and providing a professional option for all teachers. Melissa was raised in Liverpool, New York, a suburb of Syracuse, where she developed an appreciation for snow. She currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida where she appreciates the lack of snow.

Roseangela Mendoza

Roseangela Mendoza has been an educator since 2007 and is a middle school social studies teacher at The Ethical Community Charter School(TECCS). She is also the middle school lead teacher. Ms. Mendoza attended New Jersey City University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Ms. Mendoza is an alum of the Advocacy Fellowship for the Association of American Educators (2019) where she learned the skills and knowledge to advocate and organize, as well as become familiar with charter school policy that provides more equitable outcomes and opportunities for educators and students. In 2020, she was also 1 of 12 fellows of the NJ Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship and spent the summer as a WW Foundation History Quest fellow. In October 2019, Ms. Mendoza was named 2019 Charter School Advocate of the Year by the New Jersey Charter School Association! During her free time, Ms. Mendoza enjoys spending time with her family.