About Me
I’m a STEM educator and immersive learning designer who brings science to life through storytelling and technology. After twenty-four years teaching engineering, robotics, and cybersecurity in Arizona public schools, I now create AR and VR learning experiences with ASU’s Dreamscape Learn that make complex concepts tangible and unforgettable.
My work bridges K–12 education, higher education, and industry, connecting classrooms with real-world innovation through projects such as Project Zephyr, Phoenix Neutrino, and HGTV’s Over Your Head. I’m also pursuing graduate research in AR and VR at ASU focused on making immersive technologies accessible and inclusive for every learner.
At the heart of it all, I design learning experiences that inspire students to explore, question, and create.
Experience
Curriculum Designer
ASU Dreamscape Learn
Designing immersive VR/AR educational experiences and curriculum for next-generation learning environments with Arizona State University.
STEM Teacher
Arizona Public Schools
24 years teaching Engineering, Robotics, Cyber Security, and Aerospace. PLTW certified instructor; created Space Night (500+ attendees annually); coached competition teams; sponsored SkillsUSA and Maker's Club.
Master Carpenter & Host
HGTV - "Over Your Head"
On-camera talent for 3 seasons of nationally broadcast home improvement series, designing and constructing renovations while mentoring homeowners.
Vice President
Gilbert Education Association
Gilbert, Arizona — Led contract negotiations, policy development, and professional development initiatives while advocating for educators and students across the district.
Advisory Board Member
Higher Orbits
National STEM Education Organization — Serve on the advisory board for Higher Orbits, a nonprofit that inspires students through spaceflight-based STEM programs. Provide guidance on curriculum development, mission-based learning, and student engagement strategies for national initiatives linking classroom science with real-world aerospace exploration.
Director
Phoenix Neutrino Project
Directed independent improv-film project uniting 40+ Valley performers in time-boxed collaborative storytelling and live production.
Technical Director
The Torch Theatre
Phoenix, Arizona — Oversee technical production for live improv performances, including lighting, sound, and multimedia design in an intimate theatre setting; created Level 1 training curriculum for teaching improv comedy.
Technical Director
The Phoenix Improv Festival
Phoenix, Arizona — Lead technical operations for multi-day international improv festival, coordinating stage management, lighting, and sound for hundreds of attendees.
Education
M.S., Instructional Design & Technology — Emphasis in Online Learning
Walden University
Master's degree with emphasis in Online Learning. Focused on curriculum development, emerging technology integration, and learner-centered design for online and immersive environments.
Graduate Coursework — AR/VR Design
Arizona State University — School of Games, Arts, Media and Engineering (GAME)
Completed graduate coursework focused on AR/VR design, immersive media, and interactive learning experiences within ASU's GAME program.
Graduate Coursework — Professional Studies (Engineering Education)
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Completed graduate coursework with an individualized focus on engineering education and instructional technology.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Certified Instructor
Project Lead The Way
Certified to teach Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Engineering Design and Development.
B.F.A. in Secondary Education (Technical Theatre Emphasis)
Arizona State University
Specialized in technical theatre production, stagecraft, lighting, and live event design; prepared for secondary-level teaching and curriculum development.
Improv Training — Level 5 Certificate
iO Theater (ImprovOlympic), Chicago
Completed the five-level long-form improvisation program focused on ensemble performance, character work, and advanced scene structure.
Career Highlights
Silver Apple Award Winner
Recognized by Arizona’s Family (3TV/CBS 5) for excellence in STEM education and mentoring future engineers at Hamilton High School.
NEA Excellence in Public School Education Scholarship
National full‑tuition scholarship (Walden University) recognizing leadership, innovation, and impact in public education.
HGTV: Over Your Head — Master Carpenter
On‑camera master carpenter and host for HGTV’s renovation‑rescue series; rapid design/build and homeowner mentorship on set.
Gilbert Education Association — Vice President
Advocated for educators and students; led contract negotiations, policy development, and professional development initiatives.
Phoenix Neutrino Project — Director
Independent improv-film project; directed live production uniting 40+ Valley performers in time-boxed collaborative storytelling.
Teacher Exchange Delegate — Gilbert Sister Cities
Selected as Teacher Exchange delegate representing Gilbert Public Schools in Leshan, China, exchanging instructional practices and strengthening international education partnerships.
Project Highlights
Project Zephyr
Student-led stratospheric balloon mission with sensors, live tracking, and recovery.
Space Night
Annual spring carnival celebrating space exploration with 500+ students, families, and community members.
Interactive Educational Tools
Collection of interactive learning resources including periodic tables, solar system models, and lunar phase demonstrations for classroom and online instruction.
AR/VR Projects
Immersive AR/VR projects exploring extended reality for education and engagement, including a WebXR Gaussian Splat social app in progress, AR digital twin experiences for Android and iOS, a Robot VR viewer, and a Castle VR environment.
Aerospace Payload Projects
Multi-year student partnerships with Blue Origin, Sugar House Rockets, and Higher Orbits designing payloads for actual rocket launches.
Taking Flight at EVIT
Large-scale aerospace design challenge where students build and launch foam board gliders. Curriculum and competition framework designed for multi-school participation with EVIT, and STEM+C.
Chandler Cardboard Boat Regatta
A district-wide STEM challenge where students designed and raced cardboard boats. I organized all logistics, developed instructional design materials, and coordinated safety and judging, turning engineering theory into a hands-on, community-centered event.
Curriculum Designed
University Curriculum
Immersive, inquiry-driven curricula for Dreamscape Learn and Arizona State University spanning biology, chemistry, economics, sustainability, and astronomy.
High School Curriculum
Comprehensive K-12 curriculum spanning multiple disciplines including technical theatre, robotics, aerospace engineering, and career technical education programs.
Community Engagement Programs
Student-centered community learning initiatives including Project Zephyr stratospheric balloon missions, Taking Flight aviation events, the Cardboard Boat Regatta, and Space Night.
Skills
Certifications
- Introduction to Engineering Design
- Principles of Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering Design and Development
- Cyber Security