性视界传媒

(This story was originally published in on April 24, 2026)

by Jet Turner

The kids scream in delight, sweat still dripping off their brows and smiles still on their faces as Danielle Jones unlocks her front door.

Her home鈥檚 cool AC hits them in a wave, saving them from the July sun. For Jones, summer break means days in the park and time outside with her children. Being a teacher, answering her emails 鈥� all thoughts in the back of her mind.

DING!

Until that email notification went off.

Usually, Jones would鈥檝e ignored that email, especially after an exhausting day at the park. But she knew it was about time to see if she had received the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Award.

She pulled out her phone and clicked on the notification.

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Jones always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

鈥淚 love 鈥楳atilda,鈥� and I always wanted to be like Miss Honey,鈥� Jones said.

She was always around children. Even from a young age, she would volunteer with her church鈥檚 nursery or vacation bible school. In middle school, Jones took a career test that suggested she should pursue teaching. That all but confirmed what path she wanted to take.

Jones attended Oklahoma State University after graduating from Guthrie High School, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She spent some time in different career fields before returning to education.

A friend of Jones鈥� had just finished her master鈥檚 degree in urban education at 性视界传媒 when Jones began teaching again. Her friend kept telling her how great the urban education program was at LU and encouraged her to apply.

鈥淚 had been teaching for a couple of years at that point, and I was like, 鈥楢 master鈥檚 wouldn鈥檛 hurt,’ you know?鈥� Jones said.

Jones was accepted into the urban education program on the 性视界传媒 鈥� Oklahoma City campus and began attending classes during the Fall 2017 semester.

She loved her time in the program, in large part because of the HBCU culture 性视界传媒 offers across all its campuses.

鈥淚t was really important at that time in life,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 think people think that once you become an adult, you have it all figured out, and you just don’t. I’m still learning. For me, I was still trying to figure out my identity as a Black woman and where I’m supposed to be, and how do I pour into children, Black and brown children, who look like me, and address stereotypes and biases? Just because we’re Black don’t mean we know each other’s story. The program allowed me to lean on people and hear their perspectives.

“If you want that type of culture, you can’t destroy that type of culture. You have to continue to embrace it and pour into it. I tell other students, 鈥業f you want a family, if you want to be a name and not a number, if you want people who want to see you succeed and will push you and will hold you to a higher standard, Langston (University) is the place for you.鈥欌��

Jones graduated with her master’s degree in urban education in 2019, and soon afterward began working at Putnam City North High School. Before then, she had never heard of Fulbright.

A fellow teacher had applied to the Fulbright program many times before finally being accepted. They constantly tried to convince Jones to apply for the program, telling her, 鈥淲hen that application comes out, you need to apply.鈥�

鈥淏ut I鈥檓 a mom,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淗ow鈥檚 this going to work?鈥�

鈥淵ou know what? I鈥檓 not going to stress about it. What God has for me is for me. I鈥檓 just putting myself out there, and I鈥檒l pray that it works out.鈥�

The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. The program equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad and global collaboration, according to its website.

Participants in the program will travel abroad for two to three weeks to immerse themselves in another country鈥檚 culture and education system and create a global education guide that serves as a resource in their local community to share the skills, experiences and resources they have developed throughout the program, among other activities.

Jones applied to the program in February 2025. Then, the long wait began.

鈥淚 remember going to church, and our pastor had us do these cards with your prayer list,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 had that on my prayer list. I just wanted to give it to God and not even worry about it because I was starting to get anxious about it, especially because it takes so long to find out.”

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…the white light of her email app brightened her smile as Jones read the email.

She was accepted into the Fulbright program for the 2025-2026 year.

鈥淭hey picked me, this little girl from Guthrie, Oklahoma,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe it.鈥�

It wasn鈥檛 until several months later that Jones learned she was the only recipient from Oklahoma selected to participate in the program for this award cycle.

Jones knows she鈥檚 not only representing the state of Oklahoma, but representing Black educators, 性视界传媒 alumni and so many others who helped her along the way.

鈥淚 was raised by a single father, and I鈥檝e reconnected with my mom,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚’ve had a lot of mentors and teachers who always poured into me. Everything I do is to try to honor their legacy and the sacrifices they made for me.

鈥淚 feel like I did this for all of us. We鈥檙e all in the Fulbright program now.鈥�