Our Team

Sumedha Bahri is a patent attorney, stand-up comic, adjunct law professor, and public speaking instructor for children and adults! She has a J.D from Northeastern University School of Law and a B.S in Biomedical Engineering. She absolutely loves working with kids and teaching them public speaking in the most entertaining way possible! She has a middle school son and elementary school daughter, and a husband whose age shall remain ageless. She also studied screenwriting and playwriting, and produced and co-wrote a stage comedy that ran in Boston’s Theatre District for 3 years.

Aaron has taught public speaking and debate to students of every age from 3rd grade to college. He is currently a PhD student in Communications at George Mason University. He taught Public Speaking for a year and a half at George Mason University and two years at Kansas State University. He earned a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Kansas State University where he spent one year as the Graduate Coaching Assistant working with the speech and forensics team. He was awarded the Charles Griffin Graduate Leadership Award. He was also a recepient of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Small Grant. He worked as an assistant debate coach for Blue Valley High School for one year. He also taught public speaking and debate in Beijing, China for two years, and Fez, Morocco for one year. He is very excited to bring his debate and public speaking experience to Highest Speak’s students! 

Lucy Evans is a graduate of Virginia tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Educaiton. Lucy is a true go-getter, always on the lookout for exciting opportunities to make a positive impact! Whether she’s starting new clubs, substitute teaching, coaching youth sports, babysitting, pet sitting, tutoring, or taking on leadership roles, she is constantly keeping herself busy. Over her academic career, Lucy has learned the incredible value of finding one’s voice, and she’s excited to bring that knowledge and experience to Highest Speak. As a future teacher, she understands the importance of empowering students and helping them express themselves confidently. With her vibrant energy and genuine passion for teaching, Lucy is excited to work with Highest Speak to help students develop their public speaking and communication skills!

After completing her undergraduate studies, Britney pursued a Master’s in Counselor Education at The University of Virginia, specializing in mental health. Throughout her journey, Britney gained valuable hands-on experience through internships with Staunton City Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, and the University of Virginia Athletics Department. Currently, she serves as a dedicated school counselor with Fairfax County Public Schools, where she continues to support and empower students to reach their full potential. She is very excited to empower kids with their most confident voices at Highest Speak!

Amanda Ellis is a current 8th grade English teacher for FCPS. She holds a MA.Ed in Education and minored in theater in college. Performing has always been a passion of hers. She’s very active in community theater around the DC metro area and won awards for public speaking competitions in high school. She has experience teaching kids of all ages and is very excited to help kids learn and master this new skill!

After finishing a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Anisha Thaker joined Teach for America and began teaching 7th grade special education math and 7th and 8th grade special education science for the New York City Department of Education at a Dual Language middle school. During this time, she completed a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Hunter College. Outside of teaching, Anisha is also a personal trainer, dancer and has dabbled in stand-up comedy. Through all of these experiences, public speaking skills have helped her tremendously!

Lyka has been awarded degrees of merit, honor and excellence during her membership in the National Forensic League for her platform speaking and original speech writing. She mentored High School freshman to senior students in the craft of informative and persuasive speech writing and performance for district, county, and state competitions. While earning her Bachelor’s in Communications, she serves in the Army National Guard and uses public speaking in her leadership work, organizational activities, and ceremonies. She naturally exudes energy and enthusiasm for all her public speaking students!

Amanda Hurley is a performer, theater/film lover, public speaker, and educator, currently studying film and television production. She has worked with kids of all ages for almost 15 years, from theater summer camps, to touring with a children’s theater, to running her own dramatic play workshops for toddlers! Recently she interned in the production office for a Disney+ movie and taught classes from “Theater and Movement” to “Animals of the Rainforest!” Amanda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from UMass Boston, an Associate’s Degree in Dramatic Arts from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and a certificate in Broadcast Media from Roxbury Community College. Amanda is excited to work with Highest Speak and help kids find their voice!

Todd Fleming is an educator, a stand-up comedian, professional voice-over artist, and Regional Sales Director for a global technology company. He is one of the more sought out comedians in the DMV with his knack for impressions and unique characters. He has provided voice over work for such companies as Chevron, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Regions Bank, Rockwell Collins, AmSouth Bank, and Pearson as well as several cartoon and film projects. As a teacher for 17 years, Todd has taught nearly every subject imaginable from Architectural Drawing to English to Physical Education. In addition to being an avid football fan, Todd enjoys playing golf and creating both comical and informative content for social media. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University in Virginia and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Early Chidhood Education.

Shelby is an actor, comedian, educator & yoga nut who holds a BFA in Acting/Musical Theatre from Wright State University and is currently working towards her MFA in Acting from West Virginia University. For the past 15 years, Shelby has lived, performed, and traveled through the country as a professional actress, honing her skills as a performer and teacher among major cities like Chicago and New York. When not performing and yogi-ing, Shelby enjoys reading Stephen King novels, watching old episodes of The Great British Bake-Off, and playing with her cat, Charlie. Shelby is thrilled to be a part of the Highest Speak team and can’t wait to help others find their voice!