I am the the Director of the Western U.P. STEM Network (MiSTEM Network Region 16) serving Houghton, Baraga, Keweenaw, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties of Michigan. I have been in the education field for 15 years, teaching environmental and outdoor education, high school science and, most recently, science and engineering professional development for K-12 educators. I received her MA in secondary education and BS in Resource and Ecology Management from the University of Michigan, and is currently a PhD candidate at Michigan Technological University where my research interests include field and place-based teacher professional development to improve Earth Science Literacy.