Addison is a dedicated educator and a former principal with more than a decade of experience working in Houston’s public schools.

During his time as a principal, Addison implemented numerous STEM programs to increase students’ digital literacy and computer skills. He is passionate about closing the gap in STEM education, supporting first-generation students who want to pursue a college degree, and ensuring equal opportunity for all young adults.

Addison is excited to work with the TETC students on 3D printing and other state-of-the-art technologies. He firmly believes that the experiences and access provided at the TETCs will prepare students for a high-tech job market. Addison looks forward to helping students find the best STEM career path.

With more than 16 years of experience in education, Mary is a passionate educator who believes quality STEM education can improve lives. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a minor in business from the University of Arkansas.

Mary is dedicated to ensuring that the STEM workforce represents the local community. In prior roles, she realized that students from under-resourced communities often felt discouraged from pursuing STEM majors or careers. She began thinking about how she could attract diverse groups of students into STEM fields.

To ensure that every student is confident in their ability to pursue STEM, Mary prioritizes building relationships and opening doors to new experiences. She also believes empathy and understanding are key to improving student motivation and confidence.

Mary is most excited about allowing TETC students to step outside their comfort zone and explore new ideas.

Liliana has dedicated the past 7 years of her career to helping students in the Houston area go to college. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and Latin American studies from Smith College.

As a first-generation college student, Liliana managed the college application process on her own. She quickly learned how access to individuals who understand the college application process can significantly impact college and career opportunities.

Liliana is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to make informed decisions and pursue internships, college majors, and career paths.

She is excited to serve as a resource for TETC students as they prepare to continue their STEM journeys in college. Liliana hopes to empower students to pursue opportunities they never thought possible and looks forward to watching them achieve their goals.

Xavier is a committed educator with 14 years of experience teaching architectural design. He received his bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Houston and spent 10 years working in architecture prior to joining the TETCs.

Over the years, Xavier has seen creative students hesitate to experiment with STEM coursework due to fear of failure. He learned through personal experience that patient and understanding educators build student confidence. Now, Xavier works to teach students that failure is part of the learning process and show them how testing and evaluation can lead to success.

At the TETCs, Xavier is most looking forward to challenging students to find innovative STEM solutions to community needs. He hopes to inspire his students to be creative, explore their ideas, and bring the Engineering Design Process to life.

Rubiona is a passionate science educator with 7 years of experience. With a degree in biochemistry from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport, she cares about ensuring students from all backgrounds have access to high-quality, engaging STEM education.

Rubiona has always been fascinated by biology. This interest originated with her high school science teacher, who showed her how fun and engaging STEM classes can be. However, she also saw that only some students could access courses or instructors that inspired a passion for STEM.

Now, as an educator, Rubiona works to create excitement and incorporate engaging STEM activities and games as an essential part of her teaching strategy. She is excited to show TETC students all the possibilities STEM offers through active, hands-on learning.

With more than 14 years of experience in education, Chris has dedicated his career to teaching students STEM-based 3D animation and visualization.

Before his work as an educator, he received his bachelor’s degree in media art and animation from the Art Institute of Houston.

Chris has a creative mindset with a passion for STEM. Throughout his career, he found ways to combine these interests by integrating engineering concepts into his design and animator work. Specializing in blended learning, Chris combines STEM-based and creative elements to engage students with various interests and skills.

At the TETCs, Chris is excited for students to have access to the STEM resources he wished he had growing up. He hopes to encourage tactical problem-solving skills, inspire passion for STEM subjects, and increase confidence in students’ ability to pursue a STEM career.

A proud educator with more than 24 years of experience, Fatima is passionate about equipping students with the tools they need to succeed.

Fatima’s love for STEM education originates from watching her students have their “ah-ha!” moments. She recognizes that one academic year can impact the trajectory of a young person’s life and she takes that responsibility seriously.

Fatima is a lifelong learner and believes the only way to continue to teach and inspire others is through continued curiosity. She is most excited to teach TETC students about different engineering pathways, tie STEM concepts together, and showcase real-world applications for their work in the TETC labs or school classrooms.

Bianca is a skilled educator with more than 18 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Texas Southern University and a master’s in educational administration from Lamar University.

Bianca knows that investing in STEM education is critical to students’ long-term success. As a school administrator during the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw the transition to a school-wide hybrid work structure for employees and students.

She recognizes that equipping students with technology skills will prepare them for any career they may pursue.

Bianca is passionate about motivating students to reach their full potential and empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. She is excited to provide hands-on learning opportunities for TETC students.

She hopes to create an environment where students can hone their STEM skills and staff can learn alongside them.

Dariana has a bachelor’s degree in public health and education studies from Brandeis University and experience as a teacher and school administrator.

Growing up, Dariana saw how important access to quality education and mentorship was for student success. Having mentors who invested in her personally and professionally reinforced her desire to help others, leading to her passion for education.

As a former assistant principal, Dariana learned how to engage with families to encourage student success. She is excited to ensure each family has what they need to set the student up for long-term success.

Glendys is a college and career coach with over a decade of experience advising students with diverse academic and professional interests. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Spanish major and a psychology minor. She then received an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

Glendys navigated the application process as a first-generation college student with little guidance. As a result, she learned how having a formal support system to help with the college decision and application process can positively impact students’ opportunities.

Glendys knew she could make an impact by coaching them through the application and admissions process. She enjoys helping students connect college majors and potential careers and is excited to serve as a resource for TETC students and their families.

Ben is a published researcher in microbiology who intended to study medicine before deciding to pursue teaching. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in chemistry and microbiology from the University of Houston-Downtown.

Having immigrated from Singapore, Ben pursued education to help non-English speakers succeed in math and science classes, including AP courses. As a result, he learned to engage students of all backgrounds.

In 2021, Ben was honored as Teacher of the Year for Secondary Education and nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, organized by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.

As a Makerspace Lead Coach, Ben is excited to challenge students to think creatively and solve complex STEM problems. He looks forward to using everything the TETC has to offer to benefit the students and their learning.

Taylor is a passionate educator with over 12 years of experience in STEM education and youth development. He earned his degree in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has always believed in the transformative power of an engaged teacher or mentor.

From an early age, Taylor realized that traditional education methods often fail to ignite students’ curiosity and interest in STEM subjects. This fuels his commitment to meeting students where they are, tailoring content to their individual needs, and creating a learning environment that fosters curiosity and exploration.

Taylor’s insatiable curiosity drives him to continually learn and explore all aspects of STEM, a passion he eagerly shares with his students.

Kenya is passionate about opening doors in underserved communities through high-quality STEM education. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Texas San Antonio and a master’s in teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. Her work experience includes classroom teaching and after-school programming.

Kenya is invested in increasing access to and interest in STEM opportunities for all students. In school, she saw firsthand how access to learning resources can benefit students. In her teaching practice, Kenya aims to provide students with the support they need while giving them the autonomy to choose their path forward.

At the TETCs, she is excited to introduce students to a wide range of STEM career paths. Her hope is to instill a love for learning and innovation that continues into their college and professional careers.

With over a decade of experience in education, Megan holds a bachelor’s in social policy and Spanish from Michigan State University and a master’s in education from Columbia University.

Megan has always been interested in STEM fields. As a student, she hesitated to pursue her interests because she thought she wasn’t good at math. However, her curiosity won over.

As an adult, Megan rediscovered her passion for STEM and spent the last 8 years teaching K-12 math and science courses. Now, she encourages students to embrace and learn from their mistakes as they cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around them through exploration.

Megan’s natural love for learning drives her passion for STEM. She admires how professionals tackle the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. Megan looks forward to guiding TETC students as they discover how STEM impacts the world.