In the mountains of Appalachia, where traditional educational models have long struggled to serve every learner, a quiet revolution began. Today, that revolution has expanded across three continents, challenging the very foundations of how we think about teaching, learning, and access to quality education. At its heart stands a woman who refuses to accept that geography, culture, or economic circumstances should determine a child’s educational destiny.
Chassie Selouane, CEO and Founder of Appalachian American Academy Global (AAA Global) and Principal of Makers Learning School International Riyadh (MLS International Riyadh), has earned recognition as an “Educational Disruptor” not through radical rhetoric, but through relentless innovation that puts relationships first and results second—knowing that the best results emerge from authentic human connections.
From the Great Smoky Mountains to Global Classrooms
As an Indigenous Appalachian American woman from the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Selouane carries within her the deep understanding that education must be inclusive, accessible, and empowering—especially for those historically overlooked by traditional systems. Her journey spans nearly two decades across four countries and three continents, each experience adding layers to her understanding of what truly effective education requires.
“To me, being called an ‘Educational Disruptor’ means that I have committed my life’s work to challenging the status quo and transforming the traditional models of education that no longer serve all learners,” Selouane explains. “My vision is built on the premise that school should ignite joy, purpose, and self-discovery. Disruption, to me, isn’t chaos—it’s courageous innovation.”
Working across the United States, Morocco, UAE, and Saudi Arabia has fundamentally shaped her approach to leadership and curriculum design. Rather than viewing cultural differences as obstacles to overcome, she sees them as classrooms in themselves—rich sources of wisdom that inform more responsive, effective educational practices.
“Culture isn’t a challenge—it’s a classroom in itself,” she reflects. “Each country, each school, and each learning community brings its own unique set of values, traditions, strengths, and needs. These lived experiences have taught me that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all curriculum.”
The Revelation That Changed Everything
Every educational leader has a moment that crystallizes their mission. For Selouane, it came while working with a brilliant, intuitive student who was struggling in a traditional classroom model that simply didn’t meet his unique needs. This experience became the foundation of her core belief: no classroom is ever one-size-fits-all.
“He wasn’t ‘behind’; he was simply different,” she recalls. “That experience became a turning point in my mission as an educator and a leader. It opened my eyes to a truth I now hold as foundational: Each student learns differently.”
This revelation drives her current dual role approach. Through AAA Global, she provides rigorous American curriculum in a fully virtual environment ideal for students who need flexibility, live in remote regions, or are part of military-connected or mobile families. Simultaneously, as Principal of MLS International Riyadh, she leads a thriving in-person school that places Social Emotional Learning and student well-being at the center of everything they do.
“Together, these two roles allow me to offer the best of both worlds: an in-person school community deeply grounded in social-emotional development, and a global virtual platform that unlocks access and flexibility for learners around the world,” she explains.
Technology as Liberation, Not Domination
In an era where educational technology often becomes a flashy distraction, Selouane approaches digital integration with intentionality and purpose. For her, creativity, technology, and student agency are not just instructional strategies—they are essential tools for preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“When learners are invited to co-create, collaborate, and reflect on their work, they become more invested, more curious, and more courageous,” she notes. Her approach transforms classrooms from passive spaces of compliance into active hubs of curiosity and innovation, where students have genuine voice and choice in their learning journey.
AAA Global takes this philosophy further by offering students real-world learning pathways that include career certification programs in fields such as cybersecurity, digital marketing, medical assisting, and entrepreneurship. Students can even earn an Associate of Arts degree alongside their high school diploma, creating powerful connections between what they’re learning and who they want to become.
“This approach also deeply reinforces the concept of K-20 education, where learning doesn’t stop at graduation—it continues as a lifelong journey,” Selouane emphasizes. “We’re not just preparing students for the next grade—we’re preparing them for life.”
Breaking Down Geographic Barriers to Excellence
The inspiration for Appalachian American Academy emerged from a troubling observation during Selouane’s time in Morocco. She noticed that only students in major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh had access to accredited American curriculum schools, while families in other regions were left with limited or no options.
“This disparity fueled the creation of Appalachian American Academy Morocco, a digital-first solution designed to bring high-quality American education to every corner of the country,” she explains. “It was never just about online learning; it was about educational justice.”
What began as a solution for Morocco expanded into AAA Global, addressing critical challenges facing K-20 institutions worldwide. The platform provides access to qualified, certified teachers for specialized subjects that many schools cannot afford to offer full-time, eliminates geographic barriers, and offers expanded curricular offerings including virtual electives and culturally responsive learning experiences.
Perhaps most significantly, AAA Global doesn’t operate in isolation from traditional schools. Instead, it partners with brick-and-mortar institutions to amplify and complement their offerings, creating comprehensive educational ecosystems that serve diverse learning needs.
The Human Element in a Digital Age
Despite her embrace of technology and virtual learning, Selouane never loses sight of education’s fundamentally human nature. Her approach to coaching and mentoring, informed by her PhD research on outcomes for non-native English-speaking students, challenges common assumptions about language and teaching effectiveness.
“Being a native English speaker does not automatically make you the best teacher for English language learners,” she states firmly. “Some of the most effective educators I’ve worked with were non-native English-speaking teachers. They often bring a level of empathy, cultural awareness, and lived experience that allows them to connect deeply with students navigating language acquisition.”
This insight reflects her broader philosophy about relationships in education. She frequently quotes Dr. Rita Pierson’s wisdom: “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” Whether a teacher is native or non-native, the magic happens when students feel safe, seen, and supported.
Leadership Through Authentic Presence
Selouane’s leadership philosophy centers on a simple but powerful motto: “Attitude is contagious.” This isn’t merely optimistic thinking—it’s a practical approach to organizational change that recognizes the emotional dimensions of educational transformation.
“When you walk into a school building as a leader, your energy walks in first,” she explains. “If you show up stressed, closed off, or disinterested, that energy ripples. But if you show up with warmth, purpose, and positivity, you give others permission to rise with you.”
This approach has helped her overcome countless challenges, from navigating resistance to change to supporting burnt-out teams during school transformations. Her leadership style emphasizes being approachable, empathetic, and real—using her title as an invitation rather than a barrier.
“I never want my title to become a barrier—I want it to be an invitation,” she reflects. “I’m a researcher by nature, so when I’m not sure of the next step, I go into learning mode—and I invite others to join me on that journey.”
Wearing Many Hats with Purpose and Passion
As leader, consultant, trainer, facilitator, and author—including fiction writing—Selouane embodies the multifaceted nature of modern professional life. Rather than seeing these roles as scattered or unfocused, she views them as complementary expressions of a unified mission.
“Wearing many hats isn’t a burden—it’s a blessing,” she explains. “Each role I take on gives me a new lens through which to serve, lead, and inspire.” Her fiction writing, in particular, feeds her soul and models something she deeply believes: that we are never just one thing.
“Too often, we box ourselves into a single identity—’educator,’ ‘leader,’ ‘academic’—but life isn’t linear, and neither is purpose,” she notes. “Wearing these multiple hats—professionally and personally—is like accessorizing with flair and color in fashion. They don’t hide who I am. They enhance it.”
Recognition and Global Impact
Selouane’s innovative work has earned significant recognition, including five consecutive GESS Award nominations across multiple categories. The year she actually won holds special meaning, representing validation of her disruptive, student-centered approach and providing the platform and credibility to scale her impact.
“That win helped solidify my identity as an Educational Disruptor,” she reflects. “It gave me the platform, the confidence, and the credibility to step into larger leadership spaces and scale the work I was so passionate about.”
Her involvement with conferences like GESS Saudi Arabia extends beyond personal recognition to advancing global education leadership. She sees these platforms as transformational spaces that empower, elevate, and energize educators worldwide while removing barriers to participation through affordable, high-quality professional learning opportunities.
Future Visions and Emerging Trends
Looking toward 2030, Selouane anticipates profound transformations in coaching and mentorship delivery, moving from top-down training models to responsive, human-centered ecosystems. She sees exciting potential in the ethical integration of AI into coaching and instructional support, used not to replace coaches but to enhance their ability to provide timely, personalized feedback.
“Used wisely, AI will not replace the coach—it will enhance the coach’s ability to provide timely, personalized, data-informed feedback,” she explains. However, she emphasizes that regardless of technological advances, effective mentorship will still hinge on connection, trust, and shared purpose.
She envisions a future where the most effective teachers become “DJs of Learning”—skilled at reading the room, remixing strategies, blending analog and digital tools, and personalizing learning experiences with both flair and intentionality. This evolution requires support not just in pedagogy, but in design thinking, emotional intelligence, and learning experience architecture.
Advice for Aspiring Educational Leaders
For women leaders and educational innovators, Selouane’s advice is both empowering and practical: “Lead boldly, and lead as your whole self. You do not need to shrink yourself to fit into outdated systems—you are here to help rebuild them.”
She emphasizes that voice, perspective, creativity, and lived experience are not limitations but the greatest leadership assets. Her message challenges traditional notions of professional identity: “You can wear heels and still shake the system. You can be nurturing and still be a powerhouse.”
“Never stop disrupting,” she urges. “Ask the hard questions. Speak up when things are inequitable, outdated, or unjust. Challenge systems that exclude or marginalize.” She advocates for true student agency and learning that’s flexible, personalized, and relevant.
A Legacy of Human-Centered Innovation
When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, Selouane’s response reflects her deep commitment to educational equity and human dignity: “If I could leave behind just one legacy, I hope it is this: that I helped make education more human, more equitable, and more imaginative.”
She wants to be remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to disrupt respectfully, who challenged outdated norms with love and vision, and who always put relationships before results. Her impact extends beyond institutional change to personal transformation—inspiring others to stand in their truth, own their power, and design lives that don’t fit into neat boxes.
“I hope my work through Appalachian American Academy Global and MLS International Riyadh will continue to grow—expanding access, lifting underserved voices, and helping students find not just academic success, but a sense of belonging and agency in the learning process,” she reflects.
Ultimately, Selouane measures success not by titles or trophies, but by the countless moments where someone decided to believe in themselves, try something bold, or lead with love because they saw someone else do it first. Her revolutionary approach to education proves that the most profound changes often begin not with grand proclamations, but with the simple yet radical act of seeing every learner as worthy of excellence, regardless of where they call home. In a world where educational inequity often seems intractable, Chassie Selouane offers something rare: hope backed by action, innovation grounded in relationships, and a vision of learning that recognizes no borders save those we choose to cross.
