I founded Georgia S.T.E.A.M. Academy because every child deserves access to high-quality S.T.E.A.M. education. After spending 13 years as a teacher, administrator, and curriculum designer, I, like many educators, quickly realized that traditional educational practices often fail to meet the diverse needs of our students—especially when it comes to engaging them in meaningful, hands-on learning.

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Too often, schools treat extracurricular programs as optional, sidelining them in favor of standardized instruction. But I’ve learned that these so-called “extras” are, in fact, essential. They are where students apply what they’ve learned, discover their passions, and gain the confidence to pursue their goals. Georgia S.T.E.A.M. Academy was created to fill that gap—not as a school, but as a provider of immersive, experience-based learning opportunities that ignite curiosity and drive achievement. 

My journey began at Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing, where I led outreach efforts at B.E.S.T. Academy. There, I saw firsthand how innovative programming and dedicated educators can positively impact a child’s development. That insight has guided my work as a teacher and instructional leader ever since.

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Throughout my career, I’ve served in various roles within charter schools—designing curriculum, coaching teachers, implementing data-driven instructional models, and building positive school cultures. I’ve developed STEM programs that integrate hands-on learning across subjects, ensuring that gifted learners and students with disabilities alike can thrive. I also understand the power of school culture in shaping student success and have led initiatives to foster safe, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments.

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My goal is to make effective S.T.E.A.M. education accessible to every scholar. The vision for the future of Georgia S.T.E.A.M. Academy includes a state-of-the-art learning facility unlike anything currently available to students. This space will be equipped with immersive labs, flight simulators, robotics and engineering centers, and advanced tools that make learning come alive.

 

We also plan to launch a fully equipped mobile S.T.E.A.M. lab that can travel to schools and communities, bringing high-quality, hands-on education directly to the students who need it most. From biology labs with virtual dissection tables to makerspaces with 3D printers and power tools, our goal is to create environments where all children—regardless of background—can explore, create, and unlock their full potential. This vision drives everything we do and shapes the future we’re building, one experience at a time.