Allan Powe (he/him) teaches Biology at Regis High School in Manhattan, bringing three decades of scientific research experience from academic institutions and biotech companies. A native New Yorker of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent with a PhD in Biological Sciences from Rockefeller University, he is passionate about making science accessible and exciting for all students—particularly those from underrepresented communities. Allan previously taught Biology and Regents Chemistry at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, and has collaborated with STEMteachersNYC for six years to lead workshops and working groups on biotechnology and AI integration in education.

Amanda Grutza is a coast-to-coast technology consultant and founder of The Third Space, a studio that turns emerging technologies into actionable strategies for schools, nonprofits, and businesses.(thirdspaced.com) She designs and leads AI-infused STEM, Maker, and digital literacy programs for districts, after-school networks, and community organizations, including curriculum development and teacher training workshops with STEMteachersNYC. Amanda’s work spans hands-on maker education, e-commerce technology, and digital marketing, and she has spoken nationally on AI, product strategy, and digital literacy.

Asya Shpiro is a New York City Public School Physics and Mathematics teacher, conducting Regents and AP Physics classes to a diverse urban student population. Her strength is design and implementation of rigorous and coherent curricula, and development of hands-on laboratory exercises.

Brendan Harney is a science educator and department chair at the Bronx Lab School with 10 years of experience implementing project based curriculum across all science disciplines. He is always looking for ways to implement technology and new tools in his classroom, and that has brought him into the STEMTeachersNYC AI Working group, CIOB 25/26 AI Fellows, and PlayLab 2025 Design Institute. Outside of the classroom, he can be found literally outside either running or camping (with or without his students).

Carmelia Rodriguez has been an early elementary educator since 2012, designing interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect classroom instruction, research, and place-based exploration. Over the years she has provided mentoring and professional development for educators with multi-modal practices in various aspects of reading, writing, math, science, social studies and curriculum development. Through ongoing research and investigations supported by CIOR, she hopes to raise community awareness on the importance of oyster restoration while maximizing all learning opportunities. In alignment with NYC’s curriculum and the Ocean Literacy Principles, Carmelia’s current focus is on accessibility, engineering design practices, and creating innovative learning opportunities to generate environmental stewardship.

Carolina Castro is an Earth Science educator with 23 years of teaching experience and the department head at the Comprehensive Model School Project, a 6–12 public school in the Bronx. She integrates sustainability into science learning through projects like hydroponics, composting, food justice initiatives, and citizen science experiences such as Day in the Life of the Hudson, along with community programs like the Plastic Avengers, connecting students to environmental issues in their own community. A Master Teacher with Math for America and an Educational Specialist for the New York State Education Department, she plays a key role in shaping the Earth Science Regents Exam and mentoring teachers across the city. Her work has been recognized with multiple grants and fellowships, and in 2025 she was named the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award winner for both New York State and the Eastern Section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

Cat Garland has taught physics for 22 years in a variety of settings, ranging from middle school to college and public, independent and informal education settings in Vermont and New York City. She currently heads the k-12 Science Department at The Brearley School, an all-girls school in New York City. Cat is devoted to science education and equity in the classroom. She earned her Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Hawai'i and loves to use outer space as an entry-point into any science topic!

Chris Link is a learning design specialist and education consultant with 16 years of experience leading curriculum design, professional development, and instructional systems across public school districts, national nonprofits, and edtech organizations. He holds a PhD in Education and an MS in Biology, and has presented at national conferences including NSTA and NAAEE. Chris currently leads Link Consulting Services, LLC, where he partners with organizations to translate research into practical, implementable educational tools. This workshop features instructional resources developed on behalf of Hayward Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness around the relationship between homes, home habits, and health.

Denise Aikens is an elementary science educator and STEM leader with New York City Public Schools. She holds a Master of Science in Middle School Science Education and is a New York State certified teacher. Denise is passionate about creating authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences that connect science, engineering, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Don Buckley is is a design thinker, innovator, and educator who uses design to create innovative educational solutions. He is the co-founder of Tools at Schools, Rewind Reset Forward, and faculty at Teachers College Columbia University and Marymount School of New York an author (Pearson), public speaker, and workshop facilitator.

Elissa Levy teaches physics at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. She has previously taught in New York City public schools. She is an active board member of STEMteachersNYC as well as the Underrepresentation Curriculum, SPHERE, The Physics Teacher, Yale Alumni Educators, and the Yale Science and Engineering Association. Areas of interest include climate physics, quantum computing for younger grades, AI in physics, and equity-driven approaches to physics education. She holds a BS in physics from Yale University and an MST in physics education from Pace University. She is currently working on a master's in school leadership and supervision from George Mason University. Prior to teaching, Elissa spent 8 years leading special projects at a premier hedge fund.

Eric Walters is the Director of STEM Education at Marymount New York, where he teaches Atmospheric Science, Physics, and several technology electives. Eric serves on the board of STEMTeachersNYC and the NSTA Committee on Science Research. Eric’s curriculum work in physics focuses on developing and implementing transformative teaching and learning experiences in which students construct their own knowledge, collaborate with peers, and share their work in the public sphere. Eric also develops online learning experiences in advanced curriculum and AI for the Association of Academic Leaders and he has been a presenter at numerous local, national, and international conferences. In 2021, Eric was recognized as an ISTE Certified Educator, and, in his free time, writes and pitches television sitcoms. Follow Eric on X at @EWaltersScience.

I am a passionate STEM educator and leader who brings energy and creativity to designing hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences. Currently, I serve as a Kappa Delta Pi Advisory Board and Care Team member, supporting both students and new teachers. I have taught middle and high school science, and I often see myself as both a learner and a researcher. My work centers on equity in STEM and building communities where students can see themselves as future scientists and leaders. (Please let me know if you need more details about me)

Glen is an Environmental Science and Biology teacher at Montgomery Highschool in Skillman NJ. Glen has been a STEMteachersNYC workshop facilitator for a decade and a recipient of the Brunschwig-Karplus Award for Excellence in STEM Teaching and Community Leadership. He is the lead author of the Applied Panarchy in Environmental Science curriculum and a co-founder of the Consilience Coalition. With a B.S. from Rutgers and an M.A. from Rider University, Glen has always had a passion for the outdoors and education.

Jason has been teaching for 30 years, the past 23 at Montgomery HS in Skillman, NJ, where he is also science department supervisor. Jason has been involved with STEMteachersNYC since its inception, leading the KT3 workshops since 2017, and the collaborations with colleagues has been some of his most meaningful and enriching professional experiences. He is very excited to help lead this collaboration again this year!

Jessica Kim is a chemistry teacher at Aviation High School in NYC Public Schools with 10 years of experience and herself a product of NYC public schools. Her work is defined and informed by experience teaching in New York City and South Korea, and research at Rockefeller University. Currently a candidate in the Stony Brook Education Leadership program, Jessica brings a data-informed, student-centered approach to STEM education and teacher development.

Josh is a passionate creative technology teacher focused on providing tools and skills to bring ideas from concept to reality. Though he is familiar with a variety of fabrication techniques, his favorite is 3D modeling and 3D printing for its potential to solve everything challenges, or just make cool things. Josh is currently the Upper Division Technology Integrator at Allen-Stevenson.

Joshua Frost is a veteran NYC Public Schools social studies teacher with over 25 years of experience, currently teaching AP Macroeconomics and Government at Brooklyn Technical High School. He designs curriculum that connects course content to real-world applications and has contributed to NYC DOE curriculum writing teams, interdisciplinary initiatives, and the Sustainability Pathway, helping pilot and promote Exploring Sustainability and the Green Economy with Solar1 and STEMteachersNYC. His work has earned multiple grants and fellowships, including the Alfred P. Sloan Champion Award, Fund for Teachers grants, and an Annenberg Civic Education Fellowship, and has led to innovative project-based learning in his classroom. Joshua has also served on DOE leadership teams focused on climate education, curriculum diversity, and equity, and led students to a Fed Challenge victory with a published podcast script. Beyond the classroom, he is active in his community, including serving on Manhattan’s Community Board 2.

Juliette Guarino Berg is an elementary science specialist who has served as a STEM educator, curriculum developer, coach, and professional development leader in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area for almost two decades. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Juliette received her B.A. in Biological Sciences and Comparative Literature from Binghamton University in 2008 and her M.S. in Childhood Education from Hunter College in 2012. She holds New York State Professional Certificates in both Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Adolescent Biology Education (Grades 7-12). Juliette is currently the Director of K-12 STEM Consulting and School Support with the nonprofit organization STEMteachersNYC.

Kara Luce has been a teacher for 20+ years, teaching in a variety of settings in multiple states. While she has taught everything from 7th grade math to honors Physics, the one constant has always been chemistry. Kara has been working with and training educators in the NGSS standards since 2013, and has been a part of STEMteachersNYC since moving to the tri-state area in 2017.

I vividly remember the day in middle school when my dad, a science teacher, brought home deer lungs for our family to investigate. Experiences like that sparked my passion for science and ultimately led me to become a science educator. Now in my 23rd year as an elementary science specialist at Hunter College Elementary School in NYC, I’m continually working to develop a science program that nurtures students’ natural curiosity and sense of wonder, while building specific knowledge they can apply to real-world phenomena. I believe science class should be a space where students engage in hands-on investigation, inquiry, and creative and critical thinking. In addition to my work at Hunter, I have served as an adjunct at Brooklyn College, where I taught a course on computational thinking for teachers, helping future educators integrate coding, problem-solving, and systems thinking into their classrooms. For the last 8 years I’ve been a leader in the STEMteachersNYC Elementary Initiative, where I’ve led a variety of workshops focused on elementary STEM teaching, building community, and computational thinking. I’ve also served as a Board Member at STEMteachersNYC for the past three years, contributing to our mission to empower teachers and improve STEM education through teacher-lead professional development.

Kathy Renfrew is a seasoned elementary science educator who has served as a classroom teacher, science coach, curriculum writer, and education specialist, including roles with the Vermont Agency of Education, MySci at Washington University, Sibme, and the Wade Institute for Science Education. A National Board Certified teacher and recipient of the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, she has contributed to the development and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards in Vermont and continues to support educators as a coach, reviewer, and active leader in multiple science education organizations, while advocating for high-quality elementary science instruction.

Kerry Kline is a science educator with more than 20 years of classroom experience. Over the past decade, she has designed and facilitated professional learning experiences that support inquiry-based science teaching. She is dedicated to creating collaborative spaces where PK-12 teachers can explore instructional strategies and reflect on their practice as educators.

Kimesha Reid-Grant is an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience in formal and informal education, specializing in science, environmental studies, and instructional leadership. For the past three years, she has served as the Middle School Assistant Director of Pedagogy at the International School of Brooklyn, where she supports teacher development, curriculum design, and the integration of the IB philosophy across subject areas. In addition, she has led as Head of Science, aligning the MYP curriculum with NGSS, fostering diversity and equity in science education, and developing electives and student support initiatives such as SOCA and the Diversity Committee. Her career includes impactful roles as a Wildlife Educator at the Prospect Park Zoo, Science Educator at Alley Pond Environmental Center, and Teaching Assistant at Florida International University, combining field research, curriculum development, and mentorship. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science, a Diploma in Secondary Science Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. Recognized through scholarships and publications, she is also skilled in technology integration and innovative pedagogy, consistently bridging academic rigor with real-world environmental engagement.

Kristina Coker is going into her 9th year of teaching Earth Science at Midwood High School in Brooklyn. She is a Math for America Master Teacher and Mentor Teacher for the MAT program at the American Museum of Natural History. She enjoys developing new dynamic elective classes, like Space Engineers and advising the Dungeons and Dragons club at her school.

A native New Yorker and current DOE teacher, Leah loves teaching science and getting students to shift their perspectives about the world around. She has furthered her practice with STEMteachersNYC sessions and co-facilitated a few. She enjoys taking the nyc ferry through the amazing series of islands that make up New York City.

Leton Hall is a veteran science educator with over 15 years of experience teaching in the New York City Department of Education. He currently teaches Biology at Pelham Gardens Middle School and serves as an adjunct professor at Lehman College, where he supports early-career teachers in developing NGSS-aligned curriculum and effective lab practices within the physics classroom. As a New York State Master Teacher, Math for America Master Teacher, and STEMteachersNYC Teacher Leader, Leton is deeply committed to advancing science education, fostering student curiosity, and mentoring the next generation of educators. He holds a Master’s in Middle School Science with a concentration in Biology from City College and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Lehman College.

Liza Backman is going into her 8th year of teaching high school science, and her 5th year of teaching at the Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women (UAI). She earned her B.A. in Chemistry and Geology from the College of Wooster, her M.A.T. in Earth Science Education from the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History, an advanced certificate in Teaching Students with Disabilities from Relay Graduate School of Education, and holds additional NYS teaching certifications in Chemistry and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As the current Science Instructional Lead at UAI, Liza is passionate about the importance of building teacher collaboration to navigate ever-changing curricula, student needs, and pedagogy.

South Bronx science educator with more than seven years of experience specializing in science instruction, special education, bilingual education, Biology, and AP Environmental Science. She supports multilingual and neurodivergent learners, coaches colleagues through co-planning and modeling, and has experience with New Visions Biology/Earth Science and NYSSLS alignment. Her background also includes a Hunter College M.S. in Special Education, a bilingual extension from Lehman College, and prior FDNY work in health education, administration, and emergency medical services.

A native New Yorker and mom of two, Michelle has taught in the NYC DoE for 20+ years as an elementary classroom teacher and special educator. Her specializations include executive functioning and the science of reading.

Oghaghare (Ghare) Okobiah is currently working at Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, teaching Mathematics and Science. He has been a part of STEMTEACHERSNYC where he is constantly learning and implementing instruction that helps students flourish as lifelong learners.

In 2013, I discovered the Modeling approach to teaching chemistry (which was transformative for me) through what eventually became STEMteachersNYC. Working with inspired and dedicated teachers as both a workshop participant and facilitator has allowed me to grow and understand the art and science of helping students learn. After 35 years of teaching Chemistry (AP, IB, Honors, and College Prep), Physics (College Prep) and Physical Science in both public and private/independent high schools in various parts of the country, I am now enjoying retirement as I continue to learn new ways of thinking about education.

Paul Feffer earned his doctorate in physics at UC Berkeley studying astronomical x-rays and gamma-rays using balloon-borne instrumentation flown from Antarctica. Since 2013, Paul has been the Chair of the Science Department at the Storm King School where he teaches physics and computer science. Paul also coaches the tennis team, advises the robotics team and other other clubs, and has organized many student trips from camping and skiing to solar eclipse viewing. At STEMteachersNYC, Paul has lead workshops using the modeling methodology for physics, as well as workshops in introductory programming for physics simulations and engineering design challenges for the classroom. Paul has also been an AP Reader since 2018.

GENERAL:Peter Davenport has taught middle school life, earth and physical sciences in the Bronx for the past 12 years. Prior to formal teaching, he worked as an interpretive guide developing and leading outdoor programs at Walden Pond in Concord, Mass., and for the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire.

FOR BIRDING: Peter Davenport is a Board member of the 150-year old science-based birding group, the Linnaean Society of New York, and he has taught middle school science in the Bronx for 12 years. Formerly, he developed and led outdoor programs at Walden Pond in Concord, Mass., and for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch, N.H.

Qiao Feng is a high school science teacher in New York City with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Columbia University. He teaches Biology, Chemistry, and AP Biology at Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School. Qiao designs innovative lessons that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Qiao is an active member of STEMteachersNYC. In 2024, he was awarded the Siegel Family Endowment Fellowship for his commitment to peer-driven professional learning. That same year, he co-led the professional development workshop Life Science Evolved: Teaching in the Age of NGSS. In 2025, he joined the STEMteachersNYC Board of Directors as a Member-at-Large, continuing his commitment to building collaborative teacher communities and advancing 21st-century science education.

Sabrina Alkayfee has been teaching high school chemistry since 2019 at the Bronx River High School, a Title I school in District 8. She has also taught Living Environment, Forensics and Biology, and is teaching in the district she grew up in (and can’t image herself anywhere else!). She considers herself a non-traditional teacher, meaning that teaching chose her, having majored in Chemistry at SUNY College at Old Westbury, and receiving her Master’s in Education (Chemistry 7-12) from St. John's University. She is of Jamaican descent, the biological mom of one, and has fostered many children over the years (including one presently). Sabrina enjoys volunteering, weight lifting, and learning more about others, and is the LGBTQ+ liaison and club advisor at her school.

Sharona Kahn is the Mathematics Department Chair at the Berkeley Carroll School, where she has taught and advised middle school students for the past eight years. With 16 years of experience in education, she focuses on creating hands-on, equitable learning experiences that help students develop deep mathematical understanding. Since joining STEMteachersNYC in 2017, Sharona has both taken and led workshops, with a particular passion for standards-based feedback and assessment. She is a recipient of the Siegel STEM Fellow Endowment.

Biology and science research teacher since 2014. Teaching interests include authentic student research, developing student agency in the classroom, and building equitable classroom communities. Prior to becoming a teacher, worked in patent law and as a cell biologist.