Presented by Doug Dowell, STEM Coordinator and Grant Supervisor, Central Kitsap School District (WA); Laura Toney, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness, Madera Unified School District (CA); and Amanda Cramer, Digital Literacy and Computer Science Specialist, Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), Alabama Department of Education
Moderated by Jill Olson, Senior Director, Operations and Professional Development, EiE®, Museum of Science, Boston

Sponsored by EiE®, Museum of Science, Boston

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Join EiE® for a panel discussion with educational leaders from across the country. You hear their stories of bringing high-quality STEM curricula to their districts. Together, we explore qualities they looked for when making their decisions and learn about the positive impacts these decisions have had on educators and students in their districts.

This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to PreK-8 school and district leaders as well as teachers.

About the Presenters

Doug Dowell lives in beautiful Silverdale, WA where he serves as the STEM coordinator and grant supervisor for CKSD. Starting in 2012, Doug has been the project director and author/co-author of six different DoDEA grant projects along with a 2015 Office of Naval Research grant and a 2022 Department of Education grant. Prior to overseeing the implementation of these projects, Doug served in the following roles: District K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist, High School and Middle School Science Teacher, Secondary (6-12) Counselor, Elementary (K-5) Counselor, Elementary Learning Specialist, and a longtime wrestling coach. Doug is also a co-founder of the regional West Sound STEM Network and is actively involved in STEM reform at the state and regional levels. As the son of two military parents, Doug’s first-hand experiences growing up as a military dependent fuels his drive to do everything possible to help support our military-connected students and their teachers.

Laura Toney received her BA and teaching credentials from Fresno State University and her administration credentials through Madera County Office of Education in 2017. She spent 27 years in the classroom, teaching students and later coaching teachers as a curriculum and instruction TSA for elementary schools in MUSD.

For the last five years, Laura has been the coordinator of college and career readiness for MUSD, supporting CTE teachers in Madera’s 25 career pathways and helping to build partnerships. She manages the sixth-grade Career Exploration program and oversees the Explorations of CTE elective courses in Madera’s three middle schools. She shares in coordinating and planning the Perkins, CTEIG, and ROP funding that supports Madera’s growing programs. Recently, she was asked to add a STEM lab and specialized STEM teacher to each elementary school within MUSD. She meets with STEM teachers weekly as this program takes shape and moves forward.

Amanda Cramer serves as the digital literacy and computer science specialist for the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative at the Alabama State Department of Education. She serves more than 160 math and science specialists who support instructional coaches and educators in 11 regions across the state. She facilitates professional learning for specialists and provides coaching and support for their work with school-based coaches and leaders. She is also tasked with leading teams to curate and create high-quality instructional resources for use in Alabama schools.

Amanda is a graduate of The University of Alabama and holds degrees in elementary education, collaborative special education, teacher leadership, instructional leadership, and early childhood education. Prior to stepping into her role with the ALSDE, she served as a teacher leader and elementary educator in Hoover City Schools and Mountain Brook City Schools where she led efforts to integrate STEM across the curriculum.

About the Moderator

Jill Olson is the senior director of operations and professional development for EiE of the Museum of Science, Boston. She joined the team in May of 2018. Before joining the Museum, Jill taught English language arts to seventh-grade students in her hometown north of Boston. She learned early on the importance of engaging every learner and helping each to see their own potential through hands-on, collaborative, inquiry-based classroom experiences.

After leaving the classroom, Jill worked in curriculum development and educational program management. She has supported educators in implementing digital and print products in classrooms and has designed and delivered professional development to support them. She is passionate about improving educator and learner experiences. Jill oversees a team that is committed to providing professional development that directly supports educators in their unique and specific environments.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the STEM Learning: Full STEAM Ahead community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

EiE®, Museum of Science develops evidence-based, standards-aligned engineering and computer science programs that empower children to become lifelong STEM learners and passionate problem solvers. We’ve designed our PreK–8 curricula to encourage all children, including those from underrepresented groups, to see themselves in STEM.