Ellen Lukasik
Success High School in Round Rock ISD
9-12 Math
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joan Brennecke
Graduate Student Mentors: Kimi Bourland & Sejoon Park
Greetings! 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 the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s degree in Math Education from the University of Houston, an Associate’s degree in Economics from Austin Community College, and I am a Doctoral Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM Specialization at Texas Tech University. This is my fourth year to participate in the CISTAR Research Experience for Teachers and I have grown as an educator, mentor, and curriculum writer through my participation. I am a precinct chair in Williamson County, have completed seven marathons, and love to exercise and travel with my best friend, Jesse James.
Heidi Roop-Morland
McNeil High School in Round Rock ISD
9-12 AP Biology, Advanced Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Benny Freeman
Graduate Student Mentors: Justin Rosenthal & Matt Davenport
Heidi Roop-Morland has been teaching high school science for 15 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 Hutto ISD.
Heidi currently teaches Environmental Systems and CTE Medical Microbiology 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 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 and is continuing with an M.S. in Biomedical Science. In her spare time, Heidi also works as a certified referee for volleyball and soccer — seeing children all day inside and outside of the classroom!
Joe Savoldi
Belton High School in Belton ISD
11-12 AP Physics, Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Benny Freeman
Graduate Student Mentors: Justin Rosenthal & Matt Davenport
My name is Joe Savoldi. I am a Physics Teacher at Belton High School. I have been teaching for 19 years – all at Belton High School. I have been working with juniors and seniors for that time; and, after all that time, I am still looking for a better way to connect these complex ideas to the future problems my students will face. I love the practical application of the lab setting in its use of manipulatives and folding in conceptual knowledge. I try to continually improve these activities. I look forward to using the tools I gain from this summer’s experience to modify and improve the connection between the conceptual visual and the laboratory actual.
Kristina Bradford
East View High School Georgetown ISD
9-12 Integrated Physics and Chemistry Biology Environmental Systems Dyslexia Intervention Specialist
Faculty Mentor: Joaquin Resasco
Graduate Student Mentor: Joel Graves
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.
Stephen Seals
McNeil High School in Round Rock ISD
11-12 AP Physics, Physics
Faculty Mentor: Gabriel Sanoja
Graduate Student Mentor: Adam Mann
Hello, my name is Stephen Seals. I graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Physics. For the past 11 years, I have been teaching Physics at Belton High School focusing on experimental design and modeling. I am looking forward to the RET program to see the collegiate level of experimentation and adapt those practices to help bridge the gap in my high school classroom.
