Ashley Tatum
Ashley Tatum has a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and has been teaching math for 9 years. She has spent 4 years teaching middle school math in Colorado and the past 5 years teaching high school math in Texas. Ashley believes the RET program will assist her in connecting her math curriculum to STEM and motivate students to explore STEM related careers. With her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, working in her garden, and going fishing.
Ellen Lukasik
Hi! My name is Ellen Lukasik and I teach high school math and computer science at a district-wide alternative school of choice in Round Rock, Texas. I am blessed to work with amazing students and I am committed to meeting their academic, functional, and transitional needs. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from UT-Austin, a Master’s degree in Math Education from U of H, an Associate’s degree in Economics from ACC, and I am a Doctoral Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM Specialization at Texas Tech University. I am a precinct chair in Williamson County, have completed seven marathons, love to travel, and adore my fluffy German Shepherd.
Heidi Roop-Morland
Heidi Roop-Morland has been teaching high school science for 14 years, ranging from Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. She began her career as a genetics lab supervisor and changed to education, putting her M.S. degree in Biology to a new use. Heidi grew up as an Army brat and became a Marine wife, moving every three years. After seeing much of the country, she currently resides in Taylor, Texas and works for Round Rock ISD.
Heidi currently teaches AP Biology and enjoys challenging her students to new scientific concepts. All of her laboratory experience is transferred to her students through the guidance of hands-on laboratory experiences. She is a firm believer that a student’s curiosity helps lead them to new ways of thinking and applying information, therefore she provides students with as many real-world experiences as possible within a classroom. She fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration that will mimic those relationships students need in the future. Heidi is the faculty sponsor for the U.S. Biology Olympiad and Science NHS since these groups emulate her values.
Heidi has a son attending Sam Houston State University as a criminal justice major and a daughter who recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Biomedical Science who is going to continue with an M.S. in Biomedical Science. In her spare time, she is a certified referee for volleyball and soccer — seeing children all day inside and outside of the classroom!
Jessie Bell
Jessie Bell has been teaching high school chemistry at Northeast ECHS in Austin for 3 years. She is currently in limbo knowing what she will teach next year, but she has requested 4 biology classes and 2 chembridge classes. Hopefully she knows before August. If what she requested is what she gets, then she will teach 9th and 11th graders instead of the amazing 10th graders that she currently has. She will miss those sweet 10th graders so much — but she is excited to see what squirrely 9th graders are all about. Jessie cannot wait to be back in person teaching next year. See ya later 20-21 school year, she won’t miss ya.
Kristina Bradford
My name is Kristina Bradford -I have been an educator for over thirteen years and currently teach in Georgetown Texas at East View High school. I currently teach resource Environmental Systems, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, and Biology. I graduated from Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, majoring in Psychology. Afterward, I began working at Child Protective Services in Corpus Christi however, after relocating to Round Rock I decided to change and start pursuing a career in education. I’m excited to be participating in the program and look forward to leaving with fresh real-world ideas to take back to my classroom.
Laura Spaman
Laura Spaman has been teaching high school chemistry for seven years, the first two in Upstate NY where she is originally from. She is currently in her fifth year at John B. Connally High School in PfISD where she teaches Pre-AP and AP Chemistry to students in 10-12th grade. Laura has a passion for all things science related and loves to encourage student interest in science through real-world application. Labs of both virtual and the hands-on type are frequently utilized in her classroom where the goal is for students to feel free to expand on their knowledge of science in a stress-free and encouraging environment.
Margarita Flores-Sicich
Hola! My name is Margarita Flores-Sicich and I am very excited to participate in the 2021 CISTAR RET!
I am originally from Chicago (born and raised, as they say!), earning my BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago MANY years ago. While working in industry, getting married and raising a family, I also completed a MBA/MIS and an MS in Computer Science. Eventually, my husband’s job brought us to Austin, Texas – which we love and has been our home for 22 years.
Many years ago, a teaching opportunity became available to teach Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering at the high school level. Since then, I have taught various PLTW engineering courses, as well as computer science courses and chemistry. I have been a Texas certified teacher since 2015 and absolutely love teaching high school. I have taught at St. Dominic Savio Catholic HS, Eastview HS (in Georgetown ISD), Westwood HS (in Round Rock ISD). Next year (2021-2022), I will be teaching both engineering and drone aviation at Round Rock HS. In addition to teaching full-time, I am working on my PhD in STEM Education (online/hybrid Texas Tech University). I am very busy, but I love every moment.
I absolutely love inspiring, motivating, and teaching all students about the beautiful fields of engineering and computer science. I hope, also, that I, with my humble inner-city, low-income background, can serve as a role model to students regarding the importance of education, hard-work, grit, perseverance, and servant-leadership.
Tayo Adeboyejo
My name is Tayo Adeboyejo born and raised in Cedar Hill, Texas right outside of Dallas. I attended Texas State University where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Biology. I’ve taught and coached at Manor New Technology High School, a project-based learning school, for the past six years. At New Tech, I’ve served as the Science Department Chair as well as the head cross country and soccer coach. I’ve taught classes such as Biology, Medical Microbiology, Food Science, and Pathways College & Career Prep. I love great food, traveling, spending time with family, soccer and of course Science.
