TSIN Team

We are the Tennessee

STEM Innovation Team!


We work side by side with educators to support great teaching and accelerate STEM and STE(A)M learning. We are a team of STEM nerds obssessed with improving instruction for all students. We are former teachers, principals, coaches, and non-profit leaders with a strong record of proven results and a shared passion for STEM.


Our core team is small, but we leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences of dozens of educational leaders across Tennessee through our consultant network.

Becky Ashe

 Director of Professional Learning and Innovation

Becky manages the Network's many professional development and educator learning opportunities.

Gretchen Brown

Operations Director 

Gretchen manages the financial, administrative, and operational aspects of TSIN programs.

Misty Brown 

Communications & Relationship Manager

Misty manages the Network's communications and partnership development while providing creative influence broadly.

Ben Di'Chiara 

Relationship Manager

Ben manages the Network's Statewide Design Challenge, College and Career Readiness relationships, and Workforce Externship program.

Kristin McQueen

Relationship Manager

Kristin manages a variety of STEM initiatives and works to expand the Network's outreach efforts.

Sarah Sparkman

 Project Manager

Sarah provides project management and event support for Network initiatives and manages TSIN events.

Brandi Stroecker 

Network Director

Brandi directs the overall mission and vision of the network and manages many of the Network's initiatives.

Stephanie Zeiger

Computer Science Consultant

Stephanie consults on and supports Computer Science initiatives.

Audra Block

Director of STE(A)M & Computer Science TN Dept of Ed

Audra works as a liason between the TN department of Education and TSIN.

Consultant Support Teams by Program

  • Code.org Facilitator Teams

    CS Fundamentals (K-5) Facilitators

    Molly Plyler, Jackson-Madison County

    Keith Jackson, Oak Ridge Schools

    Dinah Wade, Franklin Special School District


    CS Discoveries (6-8) Facilitators

    Dr. Jenny Brandon, Lauderdale County

    Chelsey Guttery, Putnam County

    Joyce Perdue, Alabama External Partner

    Molly Plyler, Jackson-Madison County


    CS Principles (9-12) Facilitators 

    Keith Jackson, Oak Ridge Schools

    Dr. Jodie Higgs, Shelby County

    Rena Lawson, Greene County

    Roger Osborne, Metro Nashville Public Schools

    Talitha Yawn, Rutherford County

    Dr. Melida Jemmott-Vega, Millington Municipal Schools

  • Elevate TN Ambassadors

    Allie Bays, Educator, Knox County

    Emily Butterfield, Educator, Knox County

    Michael Cumberledge, Principal, Robertson County

    Ben Di'Chiara, Educator, Trenton Special School District

    Yureka Pirtle, Counselor, Shelby County

    Karen Stanish, Educator, Knox County

  • Innovative Leaders Institute Mentor Coaches

    Mentor Coaches

    Jimm Allen, Knox County

    Don Bartch, Murfreesboro City Schools

    Amy Cawood, Roane County

    Andy Demster, Shelby County

    Michael Ford, Maury County

    Heather Hayes, Bradley County

    Shanna Hensley, Sullivan County

    Dr. Catherine Jones, Putnam County

    Nancy Lay, Campbell County

    Dr. Jeremy Lewis, Metro Nashville Public Schools

    Justin Nivens, Roane County


    Microlesson Development Team

    Dr. Hans Bellew, Sevier County

    Audra Block, TN Dept of Education

    Dr. Keyundah Coleman, Shelby County

    Ben Di'Chiara, Trenton Special School District

    Jennifer Dye, Private

    Tony Donen, Hamilton County

    Tim Drinkwine, Maury County

    Ptosha Maclin, Clarksville-Montgomery County

    Wendy Jung, Hamilton County

  • MEEP Ambassadors

    Nikki Beaty, Educator, Putnam County

    Paige Beaty, Educator, Putnam County

    Shelby Johnson, Educator, Sumner County

    Clint LaFollette, Educator, Knox County 

    Karren McIntire, Behavior Intervention Communications Educator, Shelby County

    Nicelle Price, Educator, Hamilton County



  • Rural STEM Alliance Task Force

    Cedric Bunch, 21st Century Learning Coordinator, Haywood County

    Allison Ledford, Educator, Putnam County

    Deana Sain, Library Media Specialist, Fayette County

    Yvonne Schlangen, Special Education Teacher, Dickson County

    Kathryn Vaugh, Art Instructor, Tipton County

  • STEM Designation Review Team

    Jennifer Anglin, Educator, Sumner County

    Lea Bartch, Instructional Coach, Murfreesboro City Schools

    Andrea Berry, Science Director, Knox County

    Ben Bruce, STEM Coordinator, Sumner County

    Kelly Chastain, Science Director, Rutherford County

    Brian Cinnamon, Chief Academic Officer, Kingsport City Schools

    Kathy Crabtree, Principal, Coffee County

    Greta Knudson, Instructional Coach, Metro Nashville Public Schools

    Yureka Pirtle, Principal, Shelby County

    Rebecca Scott, Principal, Shelby County

  • STEM Redesignation Task Force

    Jimm Allen, Principal, Knox County

    Angela Askew, Principal, Shelby County

    Melinda Broyles, Principal, Cheatham County

    Amy Cawood, Prinicpal, Roane County

    Melissa Collins, Educator, Shelby County

    Ben Di'Chiara, Educator, Trention Special School District

    Jennifer Dye, Director, Private School

    Michael Ford, Principal, Maury County

    Karen Harper, STEM K8 Coordinator, Clarksville-Montgomery County

    Heather Hayes, Principal, Bradley County

    Shanna Hensely, Principal, Sullivan County

    Jessica Holloway, Innovation Coach, Hamilton County

    Catherine Jones, Prinicpal, Putnam County

    Travis Langley, Principal, Roane County

    Nancy Lay, Principal, Campbell County

  • STE(A)M Resource Series Development Team

    Jennifer Arnold, Educator, Knox County

    Jessica Holloway, Innovation Coach, Hamilton County,

    Abbey Sanders, Educator, Murfreesboro City Schools, Rutherford County

  • Summer STREAM Mini Camp PBL Creators

    Christin Amos, Educator, Shelby County 

    Mary Burnette, Educator, Sevier County 

    Collette Carrabba, Educator, Chester County

    Cassandra Cate, Educator, Sevier County

    Jessica Everitt, Educator, Knox County 

    Lakata Green, Counselor/Advisor, Shelbly County

    Shelby Johnson, Educator, Shelby County

    Brittany Rhoton, Academic Coach, Hawkins County

    Leann Simmerman, Educator, Maury County 

    Lora Taylor, Educator, Hamilton Count

    Tabitha Tomeo, Academic Specialist, Cheatham County 


Share by: