Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows have a unique role in the nation's STEM education system. They represent educators from all over the country in policy discussions, and they help develop classroom and other educational resources that are accessible to educators and students everywhere. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and guest co-host Zachary Proffitt-Minchow, himself an AEF Fellow, discuss how Fellows develop and can help amplify the availability of these resources. They are joined by Katherine Mauro, who is placed in the Air Force and Space Force STEM Outreach Office; Jorge Ambriz, a Capitol Hill Fellow working in Rep. Raul Grijalva's office; and Jonathan Gerlach, an AEF program alumnus and senior director of partnerships at Legends of Learning.
Katherine Mauro brings over 10 years of experience in education to her role as an elementary school Library Media Specialist in Newtown, Connecticut. She is passionate about empowering students to become the next generation of changemakers and enjoys creating cross-curricular STEM lessons. Her accolades include being honored as a Connecticut state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, as well as a 2020 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Katherine’s goal as an educator is to empower students through the use of both authentic experiential learning and technology tools, finding that both are essential elements in a classroom environment that cultivates learning for all types of students.
Jorge Ambriz is a dynamic educator with a decade of experience in inspiring students to excel in mathematics while championing educational equity. Notably, Ambriz was selected to join a national cohort of STEM educators for professional development through Texas Instruments' Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) program. This experience fortified his pedagogical approach, enriching classroom instruction through innovative integration of educational technology. Beyond his academic achievements, Ambriz is deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and expanding access to rigorous coursework for minority students. His unwavering belief in the potential of every student drives his relentless pursuit of excellence in mathematics education. Looking ahead, he remains steadfast in his mission to cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Jonathan W. Gerlach has extensive experience in the field of education and business. Jonathan W. began their career in 2007 as an Elementary Science Department District Resource for Title I School for the School District of Hillsborough County. In 2011, they served as a 2011-2012 Einstein Capitol Hill Fellow for the U.S. Department of Energy, where they focused on STEM education, educational innovation, teacher effectiveness, and ESEA implementation. In 2012, they joined Discovery Inc. as a Global Consultant for STEM Initiatives, where they were the architect of Discovery Education's three STEM culture transformation systems. Jonathan W. also served as a Senior Manager Professional Development, developing and implementing professional development plans for school districts nationally. In 2018, Jonathan joined EVERFI as a Senior Director of Enterprise Account Management, leading a team supporting a multi-million dollar book of business. Jonathan W. also served as a Sr. Director Customer Success - Global STEM Partnerships, managing high level partnerships with corporate partners supporting STEM initiatives in schools. In 2021, Jonathan joined Legends of Learning as Senior Director, Partnerships & Business Development, leading sales and partner management for all of Florida and select top 25 sized districts across the nation. Jonathan W. doubled the footprint and revenue through new sales of key large accounts, and led stra