About us 

I'm Ugur Kale, the PI of this project. I'm a faculty Indiana University's Learning, Design, and Adult Education Department, teaching and researching issues and potentials that emerging technologies bring to computational thinking, online learning, and teacher education.

I'm Yuanhua Wang, the Co-PI of this project, and I am an assistant professor in the Elementary Education program at WVU. My teaching and research primarily center on preparing elementary preservice teachers in science education.

I am Jim Rye, a retired WVU professor in the area of curriculum and instruction (science education area), and my interests/hobbies are gardening (flowers, fruits, and vegetables) and garden-based learning as well as playing guitar. As a Monongalia County WVU Extension Master Gardener, I volunteer at the West Virginia Botanic Garden (shameless promotion: EarthBox Workshop April 27) and for other local gardening endeavors; and for the Community Kitchen (provides lunch to the homeless and anyone else who wants it!) in downtown Morgantown.  I look forward to working with all of you.

My name is Dabin Park, and I am a Ph.D. student in the Learning, Design, and Adult Education Department at Indiana University. I am exploring the intersection of computational thinking and AI education, drawing on seven years of teaching experience. I aim to continue supporting students and teachers as they navigate problem-solving skills in technology-driven world.

I am Lin Chu, a Ph.D. Candidate of Instructional Systems Technology within the School of Education at Indiana University Bloomington. I had a background in elementary education prior to the Ph.D. study. I am a progressive educator in the Deweyan tradition, and I am passionate about supporting pre-service and in-service teachers to create an integrative learning environment through computer science and data science education.

I am Leonardo Alba-Lopez. I am fourth-year PhD. Student of the program in instructional systems technology at Indiana University Blloomington. Right now, I am an associate instructor and researcher in the same institution. My teaching and research focuses on exploring the affordances and benefits of emergent technologies as well as the role of digital literacy, assessments, language teaching technology, and gamification in learning processes.

My name is Kevin Kieffer and I have been an educator for over 12 years now. For the majority of those years, I was a classroom teacher (mostly in grades 4 and 5), but for the past 5 years, I have been the EdTech leader at North Elementary in Morgantown, West Virginia. 

I am Elizabeth Stearns, a 5th grade classroom teacher in Harrison County. Over my 7 years as a classroom teacher, my role and instructional focus have changed. For many of those years I had the pleasure of being a departmentalized science and social studies teacher. When not in the classroom, I enjoy living life outside and taking on new experiences. 

 My name is Renee Powell, and I am a fourth grade teacher at Big Elm Elementary in Harrison county.  I have been teaching for 15 years, 14 of them being in my fourth grade classroom.  I have my Masters in Reading (PreK - Adult) and was a Title I teacher for a year before moving to the classroom.  In 2019, I achieved National Board Certification for middle generalist, and I renewed about a year ago. 

My name is Caitlin Broman and I teach 3rd grade at Suncrest Elementary School. I have been teaching for 12 years, 10 of which have been 3rd grade.

My name is Bethany Wycoff, and I am a Kindergarten Teacher at East Dale Elementary School in Marion County. This is my 7th year at East Dale and my 4th year teaching K. I previously taught 4th grade. A fun fact about myself is that I have taught in 7 different states. Although tiring at times, I absolutely love my job! 

Hi! My name is Leslie Greathouse. I am a 3rd grade teacher at Eastwood Elementary. I have my BA  in English Ed. 5-Adult & MA in Elementary Education K-6. I have taught 1st, 3rd & 4th grades. When I am not at work I enjoy reading, going to sporting events and spending time with

My name is Emily Laird. I am a senior at West Virginia University, graduating in May 2025 with a degree in Elementary Education. I am currently completing my residency at Suncrest Elementary in a 3rd grade classroom. I am from Holland, Michigan, and have absolutely loved getting to live in and explore West Virginia!

My name is Kamryn Bable. I am a current senior at West Virginia University studying Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. I am currently placed at Eastwood Elementary in 3rd grade. In the classroom I love watching students grow and learn new things. Outside of the classroom I love to be outside and read new books!

My name is Hannah Barger. I am a senior in WVU's Elementary Education Program! I am in third grade at Eastwood Elementary School. I love to read and hike outside of school!

My name is Lauren McClung. I am currently a senior at WVU studying Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. I am currently placed at East Dale Elementary school in Kindergarten. Inside the classroom I love to see students grow through learning and outside the classroom I love to spend time with my friends!

My name is Lauren Marquart. I am a senior, Elementary Education major at WVU. I am currently placed at Suncrest Elementary in 2nd grade. At WVU, I am a member of the Mountaineer Maniacs, Chair and Licensee of the TEDxWVU organization, a Presidential Student Ambassador, and a Campus Tour Leader. In the classroom, enjoy working with the students to help them realize what they are really capable of and helping them grow!

My name is Lauren Pitcher. I am a 4th grade teacher at Brookhaven Elementary School. I have been teaching for 10 years and have loved every minute of it. I have my undergrad in Early Childhood and Family Studies and my masters in Elementary Education.

My name is Carrie Monseau . I am a 3rd grade teacher at Eastwood Elementary School. 

Hello! I am Melissa Forinash and this is my 19th year in education. I became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2013 and have been fortunate enough to teach all levels of school including 7th and 8th grade math and science, 2nd Grade, 5th Grade and high school math. I am now in my 5th year as an academic coach at Suncrest Elementary in Morgantown, WV.

My name is Allison Lemasters, I am a senior at West Virginia University majoring in elementary education and I am currently student teaching in first grade in Harrison County, West Virginia.

My name is Karoline Colucci, and I am a senior studying Elementary Education at West Virginia University. I am currently teaching in a 2nd grade classroom at West Preston, in Preston County, West Virginia.

My name is Katelyn Swedberg. I am a senior studying Elementary Education at West Virginia University. I am currently student teaching 5th grade in Harrison County.

This is Skylar Rodgers, a senior studying Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education at West Virginia University. I currently teach 3rd grade in Preston County, WV. My interests outside of the classroom are fitness, visual arts, and reading. 

Hi my name is Téa Santilli, I am senior studying elementary education with a minor in special education. I am currently placed in 2nd grade at Brookhaven elementary school! Some things I like to do outside of teaching is dance, reading and spending time with my friends and family! 

Hi! My name is Ally Narby, I am a senior studying Elementary Education at WVU! I am student teaching at Brookhaven Elementary in a kindergarten classroom! 

Hello! My name is Ayah Aldebyan. I am a senior at WVU majoring in psychology with a minor in Human Nutrition and Food Studies.

Hi! My name is Delaney Gallagher and I am a senior studying Elementary Education at West Virginia University. I am currently placed in a 4th grade classroom at Kingwood Elementary School in Preston County, WV.

Hi, I am Melissa Sherfinski, an experienced educator and WVU professor of 13 years. My research focuses on placed-based education and I teach a variety of undergraduate courses to prepare elementary teachers.

Hi, I am Mete Akcaoglu, a professor in Georgia Southern University’s Leadership, Technology and Human Development department. I research cognitive and motivational outcomes of game-design for young children, theories and best practices in online learning and teaching, technology integration policies, design and evaluation of after-school programs (e.g., computer programming) for young children.

My name is ChanMin Kim. I’m an associate professor of Learning, Design, and Technology and Educational Psychology at Penn State. I research various designs for improving equity through education. For example, one of my current projects applies culturally responsive pedagogy and epistemological pluralism in designs for learning with robots.

Hello all, my name is Tanner Mann. I’m a senior studying computer science, working as a research assistant under Dr. Kale and Dr. Wang.

I am Abhik Roy, an associate research scientist in Indiana University with expertise in data science & visualization, social network analysis, statistical modeling, survey design, and text analytics. As a mixed methods evaluator, my work frequently involves the use of multiple approaches often employing a variety of tools and programming languages.

My name is Nate O'Brien. I am a senior undergraduate student at West Virginia University studying Computer and Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. I am also the Captian and Vice President of the Men's Ultimate Frisbee club.