Ben Ayres
Position: Educational Technologist
Location: Kadena Elementary School in Okinawa, Japan
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Background Information: Benjamin Ayres is an Educational Technologist at Kadena Elementary School in Okinawa, Japan. He has taught in the classroom as a Read 180 teacher as well as a high school computer science and technology teacher. He is interested in the psychology of teacher and student motivation in the classroom. He is always looking for new ways to incorporate technology and tools to increase student engagement.
Location: Kadena Elementary School in Okinawa, Japan
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Background Information: Benjamin Ayres is an Educational Technologist at Kadena Elementary School in Okinawa, Japan. He has taught in the classroom as a Read 180 teacher as well as a high school computer science and technology teacher. He is interested in the psychology of teacher and student motivation in the classroom. He is always looking for new ways to incorporate technology and tools to increase student engagement.
Jim Ayres
Position: K-5 Elementary Music
Location: Netzaberg Elementary in Netzaberg, Germany
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Background Information: Jim has been an educator for the last 36 years. He has experience with elementary grades 3-6, middle school subjects such as music, math, social studies, and science. Currently, Jim has been teaching elementary music for the last 7 years.
Location: Netzaberg Elementary in Netzaberg, Germany
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Background Information: Jim has been an educator for the last 36 years. He has experience with elementary grades 3-6, middle school subjects such as music, math, social studies, and science. Currently, Jim has been teaching elementary music for the last 7 years.
Robert Breedlove
Position: Middle School Science and Social Studies Teacher
Location: Southwest Michigan
Hometown: Baldwin, MI
Background Information: Bob is from Baldwin, Michigan. He has taught middle school science and social studies for the last 3 years in Southwest Michigan. For the past 10 years Bob coached several sports including baseball, basketball, and football. Currently he is a graduate student at Michigan State University for a Masters of Arts in Educational Technology. He is studying at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland. Bob is looking forward to his experiences overseas and bringing back strategies and tools to share with his colleagues.
Location: Southwest Michigan
Hometown: Baldwin, MI
Background Information: Bob is from Baldwin, Michigan. He has taught middle school science and social studies for the last 3 years in Southwest Michigan. For the past 10 years Bob coached several sports including baseball, basketball, and football. Currently he is a graduate student at Michigan State University for a Masters of Arts in Educational Technology. He is studying at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland. Bob is looking forward to his experiences overseas and bringing back strategies and tools to share with his colleagues.
Blair Chamberlin
Position: 7th and 8th Grade Science and Math Teacher
Location: McBride Middle School in Belleville, MI
Hometown: Canton, MI
Background Information: Blair graduated from the University of Michigan - Dearborn at the top of her class. She is a third year teacher who is certified in both Mathematics as well as Integrated Science and has experience teaching in 5th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms. Blair has worked with SMARTboards, implemented technology using the TPACK model, and used technology to implement formative assessment.
Location: McBride Middle School in Belleville, MI
Hometown: Canton, MI
Background Information: Blair graduated from the University of Michigan - Dearborn at the top of her class. She is a third year teacher who is certified in both Mathematics as well as Integrated Science and has experience teaching in 5th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms. Blair has worked with SMARTboards, implemented technology using the TPACK model, and used technology to implement formative assessment.
Alison Cottrell
Position: 1st Grade Teacher
Location: Doby Elementary, Apollo Beach, FL
Hometown: Adrian, MI
Background Information: Alison graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After graduating she decided to move to Florida where she taught Kindergarten for two years and 1st grade for four years.
Location: Doby Elementary, Apollo Beach, FL
Hometown: Adrian, MI
Background Information: Alison graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After graduating she decided to move to Florida where she taught Kindergarten for two years and 1st grade for four years.
Katharine Davis
Position: American Literature
Location: Marian High School in Bloomfield, MI
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Background Information: Katie Davis teaches American Literature at Marian High School, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Katie received her Bachelors in English Literature from Michigan State University in 2010. She then graduated from the Secondary Education program at Michigan State University in 2012. Katie's personal interests in the classroom are in online collaborative, online learning spaces and Socratic Seminars.
Location: Marian High School in Bloomfield, MI
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Background Information: Katie Davis teaches American Literature at Marian High School, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Katie received her Bachelors in English Literature from Michigan State University in 2010. She then graduated from the Secondary Education program at Michigan State University in 2012. Katie's personal interests in the classroom are in online collaborative, online learning spaces and Socratic Seminars.
Doug Frankish
Position: Elementary Technology Integration Specialist, Nursery-5
Location: American School Foundation of Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Hometown: Canandaigua, New York
Background Information: Doug has been teaching for 12 years: 6 in the Rockingham County Public School District in Virginia, and 6 at the American School Foundation of Monterrey, in Mexico. He is currently enrolled in the Michigan State University's Masters of Arts in Educational Technology, overseas cohort. During the 2014-2015 school year, Doug will begin his first year as a Technology Integration Specialist at ASFM. Please feel free to contact him if you'd like to collaborate or share ideas.
Location: American School Foundation of Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Hometown: Canandaigua, New York
Background Information: Doug has been teaching for 12 years: 6 in the Rockingham County Public School District in Virginia, and 6 at the American School Foundation of Monterrey, in Mexico. He is currently enrolled in the Michigan State University's Masters of Arts in Educational Technology, overseas cohort. During the 2014-2015 school year, Doug will begin his first year as a Technology Integration Specialist at ASFM. Please feel free to contact him if you'd like to collaborate or share ideas.
Ashley Hufnagel
Position: Certified to teach K-5 and 6-8 Language Arts
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Hometown: Fowler, Michigan
Background Information: Ashley is a recent graduate of Michigan State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Arts and Technology and Bachelor of Arts in Education. She spent her undergrad working for the College of Osteopathic Medicine as an Audio and Visual Aide, where she assisted professors with distance learning and screen capture technologies. Ashley has had long-term positions in Lansing and Watervliet, Michigan, in both 4th and 5th grade classrooms.
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Hometown: Fowler, Michigan
Background Information: Ashley is a recent graduate of Michigan State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Arts and Technology and Bachelor of Arts in Education. She spent her undergrad working for the College of Osteopathic Medicine as an Audio and Visual Aide, where she assisted professors with distance learning and screen capture technologies. Ashley has had long-term positions in Lansing and Watervliet, Michigan, in both 4th and 5th grade classrooms.
Cory Hurst
Position: IB World History, Theory of Knowledge, and Photography
Location: American Creativity Academy in Hawalli, Kuwait
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Background Information: Cory was educated in History Education at Michigan State University. After graduation and completion of his student teaching internship year, he relocated to the State of Kuwait. Cory currently teaches at the American Creativity Academy, in Hawalli, Kuwait. Along with teaching IB World History, Theory of Knowledge, and Photography, Cory is the Extended Essay Coordinator, Co-Director of MUN, and is leading a pilot program of 1:1 iPads for his school.
Location: American Creativity Academy in Hawalli, Kuwait
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Background Information: Cory was educated in History Education at Michigan State University. After graduation and completion of his student teaching internship year, he relocated to the State of Kuwait. Cory currently teaches at the American Creativity Academy, in Hawalli, Kuwait. Along with teaching IB World History, Theory of Knowledge, and Photography, Cory is the Extended Essay Coordinator, Co-Director of MUN, and is leading a pilot program of 1:1 iPads for his school.
Barbara Ledford
Position: Mathematics for 9th and 10th Grade; Algebra I, Geometry and Intro to Web Design
Location: Maritime Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia, PA
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Background Information: Currently Barb teaches in a Title I school where most, if not all, of her students are below the poverty line; because of this, many of her students have very limited access and knowledge of technology. Barb's goal this last year was to get her students excited about working with technology, as well as gain greater curiosity for STEM. Outside of teaching math, she coaches an underwater robotics team that is sponsored by the Navy.
Location: Maritime Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia, PA
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Background Information: Currently Barb teaches in a Title I school where most, if not all, of her students are below the poverty line; because of this, many of her students have very limited access and knowledge of technology. Barb's goal this last year was to get her students excited about working with technology, as well as gain greater curiosity for STEM. Outside of teaching math, she coaches an underwater robotics team that is sponsored by the Navy.
Marcie Lewis
Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Location: Ridley College, St.Catharines in Ontario, Canada
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Background Information: Marcie is passionate about using technology to bring the world into her classroom and inspire her students to ask meaningful questions. Her mission statement is: Love Live Learning, and she focuses on helping students see learning as a life long process. Outside of the classroom, she coaches a FIRST Lego League Team and in her free time enjoys kayaking on Lake Ontario.
Location: Ridley College, St.Catharines in Ontario, Canada
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Background Information: Marcie is passionate about using technology to bring the world into her classroom and inspire her students to ask meaningful questions. Her mission statement is: Love Live Learning, and she focuses on helping students see learning as a life long process. Outside of the classroom, she coaches a FIRST Lego League Team and in her free time enjoys kayaking on Lake Ontario.
Philip Lindert
Position: 8th Grade English and History
Location: Taipei American School, Taipei, Taiwan
Hometown: Manitowoc, WI
Background Information: After graduating from Northwestern University, Phil Lindert taught high school English in the Marshall Islands for four years. He then moved to Taipei, where he teaches English and History in a one-to-one laptop school. Likewise, he is a director of middle school Model United Nations' teams where he works with students to use technology to research, collaborate, and debate with students around the world.
Location: Taipei American School, Taipei, Taiwan
Hometown: Manitowoc, WI
Background Information: After graduating from Northwestern University, Phil Lindert taught high school English in the Marshall Islands for four years. He then moved to Taipei, where he teaches English and History in a one-to-one laptop school. Likewise, he is a director of middle school Model United Nations' teams where he works with students to use technology to research, collaborate, and debate with students around the world.
Mary Mulqueen
Position: 2nd Grade Teacher
Location: American School of Doha, Qatar
Hometown: Spanish Point, Co. Clare, Ireland
Background Information: Mary graduated from NUIG Ireland (then UCG) and after several years in banking and health care, completed her teacher's certificate (PGCE) from Sunderland University UK in 2009. She is a Grade 2 teacher at American School of Doha in Qatar where she lives with her family. She has helped to guide the implementation of ePortfolios in her previous school. Her other main interest in life is to spend as much time as possible at her home in Spanish Point in Ireland.
Location: American School of Doha, Qatar
Hometown: Spanish Point, Co. Clare, Ireland
Background Information: Mary graduated from NUIG Ireland (then UCG) and after several years in banking and health care, completed her teacher's certificate (PGCE) from Sunderland University UK in 2009. She is a Grade 2 teacher at American School of Doha in Qatar where she lives with her family. She has helped to guide the implementation of ePortfolios in her previous school. Her other main interest in life is to spend as much time as possible at her home in Spanish Point in Ireland.
Alyse Pallas
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
Location: Reed Middle School in Bridgman, MI
Hometown: Saint Joseph, MI
Background Information: Alyse Pallas teaches 5th grade at Reed Middle School in Bridgman, Michigan and lives in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Alyse recieved her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University in 2010. She will graduate in December 2014 with her Masters of Arts in Educational Technology from MSU. Alyse is heading into her fourth year teaching and is excited to implement 1-1 technology in her classroom this upcoming school year.
Location: Reed Middle School in Bridgman, MI
Hometown: Saint Joseph, MI
Background Information: Alyse Pallas teaches 5th grade at Reed Middle School in Bridgman, Michigan and lives in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Alyse recieved her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University in 2010. She will graduate in December 2014 with her Masters of Arts in Educational Technology from MSU. Alyse is heading into her fourth year teaching and is excited to implement 1-1 technology in her classroom this upcoming school year.
Dan Priest
Position: 9th grade World History and 11th grade English
Location: Monroe County Middle College, Michigan
Hometown: Lambertville, MI
Background Information: Dan is a 2010 graduate of Western Michigan University who currently teaches at a middle college, a public high school in Michigan which is partnered with the Monroe County Community College. At this school, students receive their high school certification, as well as 50+ college credits, upon graduation. Outside of the core subjects, Dan volunteers as the Yearbook adviser. In his classroom, Dan consistently uses aspects of art, design, digital media, and film elements to work alongside more commonplace curriculum.
Location: Monroe County Middle College, Michigan
Hometown: Lambertville, MI
Background Information: Dan is a 2010 graduate of Western Michigan University who currently teaches at a middle college, a public high school in Michigan which is partnered with the Monroe County Community College. At this school, students receive their high school certification, as well as 50+ college credits, upon graduation. Outside of the core subjects, Dan volunteers as the Yearbook adviser. In his classroom, Dan consistently uses aspects of art, design, digital media, and film elements to work alongside more commonplace curriculum.
Abby Siegel
Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Location: West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Background Information: Abby has taught 4th grade for two years at West Hills Middle School. She enjoys implementing technology into her classroom to create an innovative environment. Abby hopes to experiment with many new technological tools in the future!
Location: West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Background Information: Abby has taught 4th grade for two years at West Hills Middle School. She enjoys implementing technology into her classroom to create an innovative environment. Abby hopes to experiment with many new technological tools in the future!
Natasha Smith
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Location: Alconbury Elementary School in Alconbury, England
Hometown: Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
Background Information: Natasha Smith is an educator with interests in technology, mathematics, and reading. She teaches full time with the Department of Defense on RAF Alconbury, Enlgand, where she advocates for technology inclusion in the classroom.
Location: Alconbury Elementary School in Alconbury, England
Hometown: Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
Background Information: Natasha Smith is an educator with interests in technology, mathematics, and reading. She teaches full time with the Department of Defense on RAF Alconbury, Enlgand, where she advocates for technology inclusion in the classroom.
Tom Spackman
Position: Early Childhood Education
Location: American School of the Hague, Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Hometown: Amsterdam
Background Information: While completing his Bachelors in Music Education at the University of South Carolina, Tom Spackman worked as an apprentice teacher at the Early Childhood Music Development Center. Tom also taught a group of toddlers and documented his findings in his Honor’s College thesis. He also spent a year studying traditional Irish music and ethnomusicology at The University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. After graduating from USC, Tom worked as a professional musician before moving to Dubai where he taught early childhood music and high school Multimedia IT at Dubai American Academy. He now lives in Amsterdam and is the early childhood music teacher at the American School of the Hague.
Location: American School of the Hague, Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Hometown: Amsterdam
Background Information: While completing his Bachelors in Music Education at the University of South Carolina, Tom Spackman worked as an apprentice teacher at the Early Childhood Music Development Center. Tom also taught a group of toddlers and documented his findings in his Honor’s College thesis. He also spent a year studying traditional Irish music and ethnomusicology at The University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. After graduating from USC, Tom worked as a professional musician before moving to Dubai where he taught early childhood music and high school Multimedia IT at Dubai American Academy. He now lives in Amsterdam and is the early childhood music teacher at the American School of the Hague.
Ray Stuckey
Position: 9 -12 Mathematics Teacher
Location: Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California
Hometown: Three Rivers, Michigan
Background Information: Ray taught music for 4 years and math for 5 years. He worked on a team that raised Algebra test scores by 21%. Currently he is leading the transition to the Common Core for math in his district.
Location: Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California
Hometown: Three Rivers, Michigan
Background Information: Ray taught music for 4 years and math for 5 years. He worked on a team that raised Algebra test scores by 21%. Currently he is leading the transition to the Common Core for math in his district.
Kayla Swanton
Position: High School ELA
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Hometown: Erie, CO
Background Information: After earning her BA in English/Secondary Education from Colorado State University, Kayla taught middle school English for two years in Colorado. She then moved overseas to Istanbul, Turkey, where she taught middle school language arts and computer to Turkish students. Two of her colleagues in Turkey introduced her to MAET, and she joined the program last summer. Currently, Kayla is getting ready to begin a new job back in Colorado teaching high school ELA at a one-to-one IB school.
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Hometown: Erie, CO
Background Information: After earning her BA in English/Secondary Education from Colorado State University, Kayla taught middle school English for two years in Colorado. She then moved overseas to Istanbul, Turkey, where she taught middle school language arts and computer to Turkish students. Two of her colleagues in Turkey introduced her to MAET, and she joined the program last summer. Currently, Kayla is getting ready to begin a new job back in Colorado teaching high school ELA at a one-to-one IB school.