Meet DoD STEM Ambassadors from STEM Ecosystems Across the Country
The DoD STEM Ambassador Program recognizes outstanding educators and promotes STEM learning across the nation. DoD STEM Ambassadors are carefully chosen by the Department of Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) and DoD STEM based on their commitment to working with students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM and/or are military connected.
DoD STEM Ambassadors work together to create and curate remote learning and digital materials such as lesson plans, learning activities, and creative engagement approaches to be shared with educators.
Jonté Lee, a chemistry teacher and DoD STEM Ambassador from the 2020-2021 school year.
Meet DoD STEM Ambassadors
2022-2023 School Year
Hunter Alzate
High School Math Teacher, California
Partner Organization: University of California, San Diego Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence
Brian Bell
College Professor, St. Petersburg College, Florida
Partner Organization: St. Petersburg College
Beverly Berekian
Middle School Science Teacher, California
Partner Organization: TGR Foundation, A Tiger Woods Charity
Carlise Bethel
High School Science Teacher, Maryland
Partner Organization: Learning Undefeated
Jessica Bibbs-Fox
Elementary and Middle School Math and Science Teacher, California
Partner Organization: TGR Foundation, A Tiger Woods Charity
Tim Carey
Elementary School Math Teacher, Ohio
Partner Organization: Dayton Regional STEM Center
Kari Espada
High School Chemistry Teacher, Virginia
Partner Organization: Center for Excellence in Education
Rabiah Harris
Middle School Science Teacher, District of Columbia
Partner Organization: Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
Victoria Lyons
Technology Integration Specialist, Maryland
Partner Organization: Morgan State University's Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education
Lisa Manning-Lewis
Advanced Learning Coordinator, Virginia
Partner Organization: Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
Amy Monahan
STEM Specialist, Florida
Partner Organization: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
Jennifer Nilvo
STEM Research Coordinator, New Mexico
Partner Organization: Society for Science
Chantelle Normand
Middle School Math Teacher, Florida
Partner Organization: MATHCOUNTS
Mayra Ramos
Middle School Math, Science, and Engineering Teacher, Arizona
Partner Organization: Arizona State University Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology
Michelle Rene Ming
High School Engineering and Computer Science Teacher, District of Columbia
Partner Organization: Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
Crystal Ricks
Advanced Learning Coordinator, Maryland
Partner Organization: Naval STEM
Ken Robinson
High School STEM Teacher, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
Partner Organization: Air Force STEM
Veronica Seward
College Professor, Prince George's Community College, Maryland
Partner Organization: Prince George’s Community College
David Shanks
College Professor, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, Louisiana
Partner Organization: The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Nathaniel Sobin
DoDEA Project Director, Colorado
Partner Organization: RoboNation
Jonathon Stancek
High School Physics Teacher, Texas
Partner Organization: National Math & Science Initiative
2020-2022 School Years
Whitney Aragaki
High School Science Teacher, 'Hawai''i'
Lisa Blank
Director of STEM Programs, New York
Patty Brunet
High School Science Teacher, California
Tiara Davis
Middle School Science Teacher, North Carolina
Brett Doudican
Curriculum Specialist, Ohio
Tyler Erb
Middle School Math Teacher, North Carolina
Priscilla Lumbreras
High School Science Teacher, Texas
Kirsten Manning
High School Physics and Engineering Teacher, Virginia
Kristy McDowell
College Professor and Scientist, Virginia
Melissa Moser
Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Environmental Education and Robotics, California
Heather Overkamp
High School STEM Teacher, Virginia
Nancy Rowland
STEAM Outreach Specialist, Virginia
Jenn Stormer
Elementary School Science Teacher, Ohio
Leo Ulloa-Higuera
School Principal, California
Melanie Villanueva
Middle School Science Teacher, California
Shelly Waller
Instructional Technology Coach, Virginia
Ambassadors in the Blog
“When students are exposed to different backgrounds, points of view and cultures they become more open-minded and willing to work with others. Never underestimate the power of a person seeing themselves in the experiences of another person.”
Antia Thomas
Middle School Science Teacher, North Carolina
Middle School Science Teacher, North Carolina
Featured Blog Post
Where’s My Champion?
The Importance of Mentors Who Look Like Their Students
Citizen Schools’ Catalyst program pairs mentors from diverse backgrounds with students to engage in meaningful real-world, problem-based projects that bridge gaps in education so that all students can succeed. In order to imagine themselves pursuing a career in STEM, students need to have authentic experiences, see diversity in their classrooms and be exposed to STEM career pathways.
More Blog Posts