Brett Doudican is the curriculum specialist at the Greene County Career Center in Xenia, Ohio, where he oversees 40 technical programs for careers in engineering, nursing, criminal justice, welding and aviation maintenance, to name a few. Just like his students, Doudican's professional path has been nonlinear and includes time as an applied math teacher with Teach for America, a merchant mariner captain with the U.S. Coast Guard, a sailing instructor and a materials engineering curriculum coach and writer. He also spent time teaching in Ireland.

“The exciting part about our vocational work with students and early-career professionals is the chance to show them the possibilities out there and witness their high graduation rates. My job is to help transition candidates from fun STEM activities to specific career-oriented pathways, including certifications and other work-based opportunities. We want them to understand how career paths often include various 'on and off ramps' as they become qualified to work and see education as a lifetime endeavor that they can return to again and again.”

Nancy Rowland is the STEAM Outreach Specialist and DoDEA Grant Project Director in Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, Virginia. Ms. Rowland is dedicated to increasing under-represented students' access to STEM enrichment programs and field trips. The STEM enrichment programs are designed to help students explore possible career fields and allow them to apply their learning in math and science to solve real world problems. To support these programs Ms. Rowland has applied for and received nearly $10 million dollars in funding.

“We've found that as students and teachers experience hands-on afterschool STEM activities they want more of them! And not just after school. As our teachers learn and have fun along with the students they tend to bring more activities into the classroom, just as coding and robotics. Another added bonus is that attendance climbs on days scheduled for extracurricular STEM events.”

Jesus “Leo” Ulloa-Higuera is a school principal with Sweetwater Union High School District's Launch Virtual Academy in Chula Vista, California. His wide-ranging public education background includes teaching and learning experiences in STEM, bilingual (Spanish) math, special education, career technical education in engineering, K-12 robotics, cybersecurity and many administrative positions dedicated to student success. He is certified by the San Diego County Office of Education as a leader in an online and blended world. Currently, he is leading Launch Virtual Academy to become the first accredited online school in San Diego's South County.

“I have a passion for engineering, technology and education. I am an electrical engineer turned public educator. Engineering is a combination of math, science, art and creativity propelled by curiosity. As an engineer, I have witnessed the marvels of math, science and technology. As an educator, I have witnessed the power of caring, empowerment and motivation. I firmly believe in the ability education has to transform student lives. I have seen it; I have lived it!”