Langston University

(This story was originally published in ‘E Roar Digital Magazine | Vol. 3 Issue 3 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’s 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 – all thoughts in the back of her mind.

DING!

Until that email notification went off.

Usually, Jones would’ve 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.

“I love ‘Matilda,’ and I always wanted to be like Miss Honey,” Jones said.

She was always around children. Even from a young age, she would volunteer with her church’s 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’ had just finished her master’s degree in urban education at Langston University when Jones began teaching again. Her friend kept telling her how great the urban education program was at LU and encouraged her to apply.

“I had been teaching for a couple of years at that point, and I was like, ‘A master’s wouldn’t hurt,’ you know?” Jones said.

Jones was accepted into the urban education program on the Langston University – 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 Langston University offers across all its campuses.

“It was really important at that time in life,” Jones said. “I 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, ‘If 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.’”

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, “When that application comes out, you need to apply.”

“But I’m a mom,” Jones said. “How’s this going to work?”

“You know what? I’m not going to stress about it. What God has for me is for me. I’m just putting myself out there, and I’ll pray that it works out.”

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’s 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.

“I remember going to church, and our pastor had us do these cards with your prayer list,” Jones said. “I 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.

“They picked me, this little girl from Guthrie, Oklahoma,” Jones said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

It wasn’t 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’s not only representing the state of Oklahoma, but representing Black educators, Langston University alumni and so many others who helped her along the way.

“I was raised by a single father, and I’ve reconnected with my mom,” Jones said. “I’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.

“I feel like I did this for all of us. We’re all in the Fulbright program now.”