THE AMBASSADOR GROUP

TAG Members

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Kenny Bae is a faculty founder of and a STEAM teacher at Wolcott College Prep High School in Chicago, IL. He struggled in his early years of education, and has developed a passion for and lifelong goal of supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged students. During his 13 years in education, his work with students has been recognized by Forbes magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, the US Department of Education, and more. He firmly believes today’s youth can accomplish amazing things if given a chance. He enjoys learning from his students and working with them to make the world a better place.
Allison Bogart teaches robotics and eighth-grade physical science at Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano, CA. She has a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in STEM Leadership. She currently serves as the District 16 director for NSTA and was a 2020 National STEM Scholar, Kern CUE 2019 Teacher of the Year, and Kern County 2018 Teacher of the Year. Allison is passionate about incorporating computer science into the curriculum and expanding opportunities to rural and underrepresented populations. Her students make every day a great day, and her greatest success is the confidence they build.
Courtney Boznos teaches fifth- and sixth-grade science at Thomas Metcalf School in Normal, IL. She has a bachelor’s in Education and a master’s in Teaching and Instruction. She’s passionate about all things science and engineering and loves trying new strategies in her classroom. Thomas Metcalf School is a laboratory school for Illinois State University, and Courtney enjoys implementing current research and instructing preservice teachers how to teach science. She finds investigating STEM concepts using the trial-and-error process fascinating and thoroughly enjoys passing that excitement on to her students.
Adam Brown teaches kindergarten at Lakeside Elementary in Pittsburg, KS. He also assists with service learning programs after school. Adam is passionate about providing hands-on learning for his students and building relationships with them. He’s a past USD 250 Rising Star Award winner and a Crawford County Educator of the Year nominee. Adam is a big advocate for project-based learning (PBL) and hopes to use his previous PBL experience to bring PBL and STEM opportunities to his kindergarten students.
Jim Brown is a Grade 7 and 8 STEM teacher, teaching CAD/CAM and Python® programming at Sand Creek Middle School in Albany, NY, and a coach for several KidWind teams. He helped create the STEM program for South Colonie Central School District, which impacts every student in the district. For Jim, the best part of teaching is sparking curiosity in students and empowering them through education. He’s passionate about energy and problem-based learning. As a Certified Energy Manager, he also serves as his district’s on-site energy manager, conducting energy audits of all district facilities on a regular basis.
Christine Danhoff, the technology integration specialist at North Point Educational Services Center in Sandusky, Ohio, has a bachelor’s degree in Education K-8, a master’s degree in Education in Classroom Technology, and a Library Media Endorsement. She’s a 2022 finalist for the Ohio Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was nominated for Ohio Teacher of the Year. Her passion for augmented/virtual reality, robotics, computer science, and innovative technology inspires her to find ways to incorporate these into the core curriculum. Christine loves collaborating and exploring with, and learning from, educators across the globe.
Shannon Fanning is the elementary STEM coordinator and robotics coordinator for La Porte ISD in La Porte, TX. She has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a master’s in Teaching Leadership and is EC-8, ESL, and GT certified. She was the La Porte Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2021, and received the Elementary Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge award in 2022. Shannon is passionate about robotics, coding, and all things STEM and STEAM and loves finding amazing opportunities for her students to experience these subjects.
Susan Gaboriau is the district technology integration specialist for the Putnam County School District in Palatka, FL. She heads up all the robotics clubs and competitions in the district, to which MATE ROV and Battlebots will soon be added. Susan is passionate about STEAM, actively engaging students in hands-on experiences, and helping teachers properly integrate technology so that it enhances hands-on learning.
Kim Gattis teaches innovation, engineering, and architecture at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, OH. She has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and a master’s in Education. She won the 2019 St. Francis DeSales Teacher Excellence Award and was named a Columbus Parent magazine Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2020. Kim loves the freedom and opportunities her program affords the St. Francis DeSales students. For her, the best thing about teaching is watching students discover something new about themselves and their abilities.
Chris Gibson is the STREAM lab teacher for PreK-5 and teaches a sixth-grade robotics class at S.F. Austin STEM Academy in Jones Creek, TX. She’s currently in her 19th year of teaching and is passionate about providing hands-on STEM and 21st-century learning experiences for every student at the school. Chris was a presenter at the 2017 Texas State STEM Conference and was named the S.F. Austin Elementary Teacher of the Year. In 2021, she received the National Certificate for STEM Teaching from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE).
Anthony Grisillo is the 2014/15 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, a 2014 Making a Difference Award winner, and a Voya National STEM Fellowship Master Teacher. Currently in his 25th year of teaching, he’s the Teacher Librarian and AV Coordinator at Glenwood Elementary School in Media, PA, and an adjunct professor at West Chester University. Anthony is known for fanning the flames of curiosity in his students, and he loves witnessing their aha moments. When he’s not teaching, he likes to explore this amazing planet with his wife, Becca, and daughters, Christina and Danielle.
Laurie Guyon is a coordinator for the Model Schools Program at Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) Board of Cooperative (BOCES) in Gansevoort, NY. She has a bachelor’s in Science, Speech, and Hearing and a master’s in Science in Teaching. In 2021, she was named a National Geographic Certified Educator, and, in 2022, she won Best Overall Implementation of Technology, Tech, and Learning. Laurie’s passions include computer science, digital literacy, and EdTech integration. She loves that every day at her job is totally different.
Everton Henriques has a passion for learning – and teaching – outside of his comfort zone. He fell in love with teaching when he served as a teaching assistant studying engineering, and he switched to a teaching career. He currently teaches Intro. to Engineering & Robotics and Fundamentals of Engineering at Staten Island Technical High School in Staten Island, NY. Everton believes that growing, helping people grow, and forging solid relationships is what life is all about. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, and Adolescent Education and was published in Solid State Ionics.
Kandi Hogue, currently a STEM teacher at Daves Creek Elementary in Cumming, GA, has been in education for 15 years, serving as an early childhood teacher, teacher mentor, and STEM certification liaison. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership, and STEM and ESOL endorsements. She’s proud to be an educator and bring STEM learning to her students while providing hands-on instruction that makes science come to life. Kandi is passionate about increasing women in STEM and helping students find their own passion.
James Jones has taught science, computer science, robotics, and engineering for 26+ years. He currently teaches at Wedgefield K-8 in Orlando, FL. James founded iBrick Academy, which has provided STEAM summer camps and after-school programs for 20+ years; was instrumental in the writing of the Florida state standards for high school robotics; and helped start the Summer Robotics Institute at Mid Florida Technical College. James recently assisted the county’s grants department in providing after-school robotics programs to 23 middle schools. He has three Disney Teacheriffic awards and two Epsilon Pi Tau awards.
Daniel Joyce, a STEM instructor at the Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, OH, has a bachelor of science in Zoology, a postgrad certificate in Math and Science Education, and a master’s in Curriculum Design and Instruction. He’s passionate about hands-on programming and problem-solving and created the new STEM Robotics and Drone Program at the Center. He’s also working on creating a drone training course that will directly connect his students to future careers. Daniel loves the fact that teaching brings a new and different challenge every day, and he embraces these new experiences.
Lisa Lewis teaches first grade at Salem Elementary School in Fredericksburg, VA, and is also an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington (UMW). In addition to her teaching roles, she is also a Pathways to Excellence teacher mentor and a STEM instructor, and was just named a DoD STEM Ambassador. Lisa is passionate about all things STEM and believes children deserve opportunities to be exposed to the possibilities of life one idea at a time.
Don Loving is a professor of science at Murray State College in Ardmore, OK, where he teaches human anatomy for nursing majors and Earth science for elementary education majors. He’s also faculty advisor for the student Native American organization. He has a bachelor of science in Science Education, a master’s in Natural Science, and a STEM teaching certificate. Don loves seeing disengaged students become successful through engaging science curriculum and activities. His passions include wildlife and conservation, Earth and space science, and amateur radio.
Pradip Misra teaches physics, chemistry, engineering, and robotics for Grades 6-12 at Bagdad Middle and High School in Bagdad, AZ. He has a bachelor of education degree in Science and Math Education, a bachelor of science in Physics, Chemistry, and Math, and a master’s in Physics, and is working on his doctorate in Education. In 2021, he received the Arizona Environmental Education Award and was named Chemistry Teacher of the Year. Pradip loves using hands-on activities to teach because of the exciting, engaging, and constructive ways in which students can learn about the world around them.
Christina O’Malley teaches technology and engineering at Akron Central Middle School in Akron, NY. She’s also a New York State Master Teacher, Emeritus, at SUNY in Buffalo, NY. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Technology Education, a master of science degree in Education, and New York State professional certifications in technology education and gifted and talented education. In 2022, she received a New York State Assembly Citation Outstanding Educator Award. Christina is passionate about coaching students in building creative, critical, and self-regulated thinking skills so they can create solutions to tomorrow’s problems.
Ruthelen Robinson is a CTE STEM-Engineering teacher at Dulles High School in Sugar Land, TX. She has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s in Business Administration. She’s a member of the Texas Education Agency STEM-Engineering Curriculum Work Group and was named the 2021 Willowridge High School Houston Area Alliance of Black Educators Teacher of the Year. Ruthelen loves seeing the lightbulb turn on when students grasp a concept and encourages her students to let their work speak for them. She’s viewed as a positive, impactful resource among students, teachers, and community members.
Kathy Rutherford, a retired biomedical engineer, volunteers full-time as a robotics coach and mentor in northern NJ and Queens, NY. She mentors FIRST® robotics teams; judges FIRST, WRO, and Science Olympiad competitions; and is an engineering mentor for the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. She has a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a master’s in Biomedical Engineering and has been profiled in IEEE Women in Engineering and IEEE Robotics and Automation. Kathy believes that “engineering is the coolest profession that no one has ever heard of” and loves inspiring kids by exposing them to robotics and technology careers.
Randi Schmidt teaches Special Education STEAM at The South Bergen Jointure Commission in Maywood, NJ. Her current role as the elementary-high school STEAM teacher includes working with adult students ages 18-22 for enrichment. Randi loves the creativity STEAM brings out in her students and how the hands-on aspect of it sparks curiosity on all levels. Her favorite lesson is learning that making mistakes is inevitable and we can always try again. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education from Rowan University and enjoys learning from her students on a daily basis.
Dave Shafer is the STEM teacher for Grades Pre-K-6 at the Skiles Test School of STEM in Indianapolis, IN. He is the eCoach STEM specialist and the science fair coordinator. He also coordinates the school’s six-acre outdoor lab. Dave became a teacher because he wanted to see students who struggle in traditional school settings be successful and feel valued. He is passionate about equity in education and believes all students deserve the best that we can offer. Dave has been in education for 33 years, 13 of those as a STEM specialist.
Dierdre Shetler is a STEM instructional technology specialist for the Cartwright School District in Phoenix, AZ. She’s a Google Product Expert for Google Classroom, a Google Certified Trainer, and an ITEEA Authorized Teacher Effectiveness Coach and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Educational Technology. Dierdre won the 2017 ITEEA Prakken Award for Professional Cooperation and the 2018 Superintendent’s Award of Excellence. She loves bringing new possibilities to students through STEM and getting new teachers hooked on STEM in the classroom.
Joe Slifka ends every day excited for what the next day brings. The technology teacher for LaBrae Local School District in Leavittsburg, OH, Joe is passionate about integrating robotics in his daily lessons and helping students become creators through technology. He created an after-school robotics club, was honored as a 2011 Siemens STEM Institute Fellow, and was a state-level finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Joe is in his 16th year of teaching and loves the freedom he experiences teaching everything from robotics to 3-D printing.
Mark Spore teaches physics, chemistry, physical science, and robotics to Grades 10-12 at Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott, KS, and started the robotics program there. He has a bachelor of science in Education with certifications in physics, chemistry, and physical science. Mark is passionate about robotics, drones, and aerospace, and he finds developing positive relationships with his students to be the best part of his job. He loves seeing the spark in students’ eyes when they believe in themselves and realize they can be successful.
Jenn Stormer is the Grades 3-6 STEM and science teacher at Northmoor Elementary in Englewood, Ohio, and an elementary curriculum specialist for Air Camp USA. She has a bachelor of science in Elementary Education and a master of education in Educational Leadership. Jenn was a 2020 ExploraVision Coach/National Winner and the 2022 Ohio District Three Teacher of the Year and has been an Ohio Master Teacher since 2016. Experiences with wonderful teachers gave her the desire to become a teacher. Jenn is passionate about STEM education, equity in education, and diversifying representation in STEM.

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