Special Education Coordinator

Elizabeth-Wede Fahnbulleh, M. A. 
Special Education Coordinator, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy, Public Charter School (IB World School)

Elizabeth-Wede Fahnbulleh is the Special Education Coordinator for both campuses of Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy, where she leads with over 20 years of experience in education, human development, and servant leadership. Certified in special education, she has been instrumental in developing inclusive programs that cater to diverse learning needs. Her work focuses on ensuring compliance with special education regulations while fostering a nurturing, equitable environment for all students.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has cultivated a passion forbSTEAM education, designing and implementing innovative programs that empower students to excel in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Her unique ability to blend academic rigor with hands-on learning has strengthened the learning communities she has served, creating vibrant educational experiences for students of all backgrounds.

Her leadership extends across public, private, and charter schools, having served as Principal, Lead Teacher, and Program Director in the U.S. and internationally in Beijing, Liberia, Jordan, and beyond. Notably, she worked for the United Nations (UNESCO, World Bank Group) as Regional Schools Program Director and Training Facilitator. There she contributed to global education and sustainable development projects in West Africa. Her tenure as Principal and Program Director for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth saw her managing gifted programs and mentoring teachers in best practices for educational excellence.

As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delta Iota Zeta Chapter in Liberia, Elizabeth remains committed to nation-building, particularly in the fields of education, women’s economic empowerment, and community mobilization. Her work with the Sorority has driven significant change in Liberia’s education system, focusing on empowering women and communities through sustainable development initiatives.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Elizabeth's dissertation research is focused on the transformative power of servant leadership in education. She looks forward to bringing her extensive background and servant leadership style to the 20th year of excellence at MMBDA, working under the inspiring leadership of a fellow Soror.