Amy Baeder, Ed.D.

Project-Based Learning Fellow 

Dr. Amy E. Baeder connects teachers to world-class project-based learning curriculum and strategies to benefit students’ educational experiences. She is an education consultant specializing in NGSS-aligned science curriculum development and project-based learning. Prior to this work, Amy worked with novice teachers at the University of Washington in the Teacher Education Program. Amy began her education career as a high school science and language arts teacher in Seattle Public Schools. Since then, she has been publishing articles, designing engaging curriculum, supporting teachers as they create engaging school experiences, and advocating for STEM integration in her home state of Arkansas. Amy has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University. She serves on the ASTA board as Past President for 2021.

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At NextGen Education, Amy is exploring: How can designing a high-performance PBL unit result in deeper learning and increased motivation for students?

Eddie Dunbar

Nature Education Fellow 

Eddie's day job is a Business Analyst with the City of Oakland. Nights, weekends, vacations and the hours in between Eddie heads the Insect Sciences Museum of California where a California Insect Photography Survey is underway. Eddie also teaches an Insect Identification and Management class at  Merritt College. 

At NextGen Education, Eddie is exploring: How to connect nature education to the literacy and science education? 

Elise  Engelhardt

STEM/Maker Education Fellow

Elise is a Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer. She has served as the president for the Silicon Valley Engineering Council, the largest umbrella organization of engineering societies in Silicon Valley. She has founded the MakersSJ, STEM volunteering and Techie Families meetup groups. 

At NextGen Education, Elise is exploring: How to integrate the Maker Education into students' STEM and literacy learning? 

Abby Holmes

Art & Literacy Education Fellow 

Abby Holmes is an artist and writer who often incorporates writing in her fiber and paper art. She is the Artist in Residence at San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles  (SJMQT) for Spring 2021.  She received her B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.  Since graduating, Abby has held stints at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, Oak Ridge Art Center and the SJMQT.  You can see some of her art at www.abbyjhp.com.

At NextGen Education, Abby is exploring: How to encourage student creativity in Art Education?

Raymond Lee 

Technology/Robotics Education Fellow 

Raymond is a senior software engineer at Next Force Technology. He has 20+ years of experience in the industry.  He developed a passion of teaching 3D Designs to children while working as an enrichment teacher at his son’s school and also at summer camps in the Bay Area. 

At NextGen Education, Ray is exploring: How to help students solve interesting problems as a team?

Anthony Ng 

Civic Education Fellow 

Anthony Ng is the Executive Director of Civic Leadership USA. He brings over 30 years of experience in working with faith- and community-based, non-profits organizations in the area of strategic planning, comprehensive fundraising and capital campaign, non-profit management, program development & evaluation, public relations & marketing campaign, specialized executive coaching in Arts and culture, philanthropic advisory to individual donors and family foundations.

He is a strategic thinker, entrepreneurial leader and team builder who has extensive management experience in venture philanthropy and social entrepreneurship projects that crossing the industry sectors, ethnic, culture and geographical borders.  

He has also worked for the following organizations: 

∙ VP & Secretary of Life Transformation Foundation International 

∙ Former president & CEO of Latin American Economic Development Corporation 

∙ Former COO of Nueva Esperanza/Esperanza USA

∙ Director of Development & strategic planning of the Barnes Foundation

Anthony's Ideal take away: “If you want to be fast, fly alone. If you want to go far,  FLY TOGETHER”

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At NextGen Education, Anthony is exploring: How to train and connect youth leaders all across America? How to help connect youth with community partners and encourage active youth participation in communties? 

Katie Raher, Ph.D. 

Social Emotional Education Fellow

Katie Raher, PhD, PPS, is a Teacher turned School Psychologist and Educational Leader who has been working in schools for nearly 20 years. She is the Founder of Constant Love and Learning and is passionate about bringing more well-being, growth, and equity to schools through social and emotional learning, educator SELf-care, and other effective educational practices and systems. Learn more about Dr. Raher at www.constantloveandlearning.com. 

At NextGen Education, Katie is exploring: How does supporting educators' resilience play a role in children's social emotional learning as well as the effective teaching of diverse learners?

Colin Seale

Critical Thinking  & Inquiry-based Instruction Fellow

Colin Seale was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where struggles in his upbringing gave birth to his passion for educational equity. Tracked early into gifted and talented programs, Colin was afforded opportunities his neighborhood peers were not. Using lessons from his experience as a math teacher, later as an attorney, and now as a keynote speaker, contributor to Forbes, The 74, and Education Post and author of Thinking Like a Lawyer: A Framework for Teaching Critical Thinking to All Students (Prufrock Press, 2020), Colin founded thinkLaw, a multi-award-winning organization to help educators leverage inquiry-based instructional strategies to close the critical thinking gap and ensure they teach and REACH all students, regardless of race, zip code or what side of the poverty line they are born into. When he’s not serving as the world’s most fervent critical thinking advocate, Colin proudly serves as the world’s greatest entertainer to his two young children.

At NextGen Education, Colin is exploring:  How do we create a world in which three realities exist:

1. The brilliance of overlooked and underestimated children will no longer be left on the table. 

2. The instructional expertise of educators of color will be identified, valued, and developed in recognition of their unique ability to see, cultivate, and connect with the brilliance of students of color and their families.

3. Education equity conversations will reject the deficit-based notion of closing achievement gaps and shift to a narrative based on shattering achievement ceilings.