Education Scientists 2017-2018

Lauren has been an elementary and primary grade teacher in independent and public schools (grades K, 1, 2, and 4) in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Maryland. She is a former director of a parent cooperative nursery school in Rockville, MD. Lauren is currently the Director of the Early Childhood Program at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. Lauren holds a Bachelors of Science in elementary education from University of Vermont, a Master of the Arts in education (special education) from American University, and a School Administration and Supervision Certificate program graduate from Johns Hopkins. Outside of school, Lauren can be found cooking, baking, needleworking, gardening, and reading for pleasure.

Heather serves as the ADHD/EF Coach and 2e Coordinator at Commonwealth Academy. She is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Elementary Education. Heather has over twenty years experience as an educator. She has received certifications as an ADHD/EF coach and in gifted and talented education as well as trained in Wilson Reading. Heather draws on her experiences in improvisational theater and storytelling to engage her students in the learning process. On weekends, you might spot her traipsing through local, state, and national parks looking for rare birds with her husband Quinn and dog Josie.

Brenda is currently an algebra instructor and the chair of the Middle School Mathematics Department at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. After being an instructor and Director of Admissions at Georgetown Visitation in Washington, D.C., Brenda has devoted her career to middle school mathematics, in particular, Algebra I for grade 8 students. Brenda holds a Bachelors of Arts from Clarke University and a Masters of Arts from Trinity University. Outside of the classroom, Brenda loves reading spy novels, cooking new recipes, traveling, and spending time with her husband (also an educator) and their four children.

Shane graduated from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine with a bachelor's in elementary education. He is a grade 8 reading teacher at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico, Maine and previously taught fourth grade for eight years. He also coaches wrestling and soccer at the middle school and youth levels. Shane has chosen a career in education to help elevate the next generation in achieving its goals. He has a wife and ten-year-old son with whom he hikes, bikes, fishes, kayaks, and camps. Shane is passionate about a variety sports and even plays in a few recreation leagues.

A 28-year veteran of secondary school history teaching, Ken is the chair of the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart upper school history department wherein he teaches United States History to grade 11 students. Ken leads the U.S. history oral history project at Stone Ridge which combines his love of history with his enthusiasm for the new possibilities presented by rapidly evolving production software. He is also the Executive Producer of Lunch Duty Podcast, a podcast for teachers by teachers. When not immersed in school-related projects, he rides his bicycle and works at a Vermont outdoor adventure camp during summers.

Olivia graduated from Providence College with a dual-certification in elementary and special education and works at Commonwealth Academy as a middle school science teacher. She engages her students with a combination of hands-on learning and innovative technology. Olivia recently attended the Learning and the Brain conference in Boston where she refined her expertise in educational technology and implementing augmented and virtual reality in the classroom. Olivia coaches girls varsity volleyball and basketball as well as facilitates two Destination Imagination Teams. Outside of the classroom, she can be found playing tennis, watching hockey, and going to Caps games.

Katherine is an elementary school STEM, entrepreneurship, innovation, and art teacher at Washington Episcopal School. Before her career in education, Katherine worked as the Vice President of Business Development for a multi-million dollar confectionary and gift company where she handled licensing, product development, sales, and marketing. Her passion for business, science, design, and innovation are intertwined with her work. Outside of the classroom, Katherine can be found hiking, singing, making art, exploring new places, and spending time with her family.

Sharia has 35 years of experience as an urban educational and organizational leader and practitioner in the roles of teacher, school psychologist, assistant principal, instructional facilitator and Washington, DC Government Agency Interim Director. She founded Sustained Learning Solutions, LLC as a result driven educational, organizational, social and scientific consultancy that provides offerings in program development, professional development, and strategic planning to facilitate systemic organizational and personal change. Sharia is widely accomplished and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Los Angeles, Masters of Education from Howard University, Masters of Educational Leadership from George Mason University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of her work, Sharia can be found traveling, attending shows and concerts, as well as jogging, weightlifting, and dancing.

Allison graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Science in Cell Biology and Genetics. After working as a teaching assistant during her undergraduate years, she joined Teach for America’s Bay Area corps as a special educator in 2014. During her two year commitment, Allison earned a master’s degree in Special Education at Loyola Marymount University. She was her elementary school’s STEAM liaison and helped promote the use of robotics, coding and Google classroom in her school. Allison worked as a resource specialist and RTI coordinator in D.C. Public Schools before joining SET as an EdTech & Innovation Consultant. When not teaching or spreading her love for EdTech, Allison can usually be found hiking, traveling, attempting to not fall at yoga, or finding live music in DC.

Julia is an experienced educator who has been working in educational technology for the last 8 years. She works with all types of educators and inspires them to be innovative in their teaching approaches and curricular design. Julia studied Psychology at the University of Maryland while also earning certificates in Life Sciences, Special Education, and Human Development. Additionally, she holds a MS in Instructional Technology from Towson University with a concentration in School Library Media. In her free time, Julia enjoys “making” with her 18 month old daughter, from crafts to tall towers to original readings of board books. She is also a DC sports fanatic, dabbler of new recipes, and lover of sunshine.
 

Urvi is an experienced educator and lifelong learner. She is the CEO and Founder of Strategic EdTech (SET). Urvi has worked as a Director of EdTech and Innovation, Middle School teacher as well as a whole school Technology Teaching and Learning Coordinator. She is passionate about edtech, robotics, andragogy and learning through constructionism. Her work alongside teachers, staff, administrators, and students of all ages in education and educational technology has given her the expertise in educational innovation to help schools progress with the values of today’s world within their mission and vision. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Education and Masters in Education from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Outside of her work, Urvi can be found teaching and practicing yoga, exploring museums, and reading.