Meet Our Dedicated Team

Our team is composed of passionate educators, engineers, and outreach specialists committed to making robotics accessible to all students in Nevada.

The Visionary

AJ Long

AJ Long leads Nevada Robotics as the Engineering Education Manager. She has a long history of working in education beginning after college when she worked as an outdoor adventure educator. Since 1995, AJ has taught middle school science and math then later served as a school administrator. Her passion is working with young people and supporting teachers.

“As a life-long learner and former teacher, I can meet teachers where they are and help them grow their confidence teaching robotics, engineering, and computer science.”

Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies

Masters in Teaching Elementary Education

Nevada Teaching Credential K-8; Middle School Math Endorsement K-9

The Planner

Michelle Gallivan-Wallace

Michelle Gallivan-Wallace

STEM Trainer & Curriculum Specialist

Michelle brings her love of science education to the NV Robotics team.  She spent 28 years in the classroom teaching middle and high school biology, physical science, and chemistry. Over the last 5 years, Michelle has embarked on professional development in STEM education and she is excited to merge this passion as well as her special education background with the robotics curriculum. Michelle is also eager to explore the potential for drone education at the middle and high school levels. 

“We are fostering STEM and literacy skills through robotics, one teacher and one robot at a time. I get excited working with Nevada’s teachers and am so impressed by their energy and enthusiasm.”

Bachelor of Science in Zoology

Master of Science in Education

The Analyst

Claire Parker

Claire Parker

Research Analyst & Grants Manager

 As a former third grade and middle school teacher, Claire has experienced working with students and teachers at various levels. At teacher trainings Claire observes that it is typically no longer than 30 minutes into training when teachers realize they can effectively use robots as learning tools in the classroom. She loves that Nevada Robotics is filling a gap by providing robotics and computer science professional development for elementary school teachers. At Nevada Robotics, Claire manages grants, reporting, and budgets.

“At Nevada Robotics, we are training educators to teach their students computer science and engineering skills they will need for their future jobs.”

Bachelor of Arts in Biology 

Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation and Assessment

The Innovator

Jill Strawder-Bubala

Jill Strawder-Bubala

Curriculum & Communications Manager

Jill is a life-long learner who has worked with students from PreK – college as a teacher and school administrator. She is fascinated by how robots can be used as learning tools to increase early literacy, math, and school readiness skills. Jill says it is a “joy” to work with the state’s enthusiastic teachers who are open and eager to learn new skills.  At Nevada Robotics, Jill manages curriculum and communications, and works as an educator trainer. 

“We are empowering educators to integrate STEM skills into their lessons so that all children have the opportunity to learn critical skills they will need for tomorrow’s tech jobs.”

Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism

Masters of Arts in English

Secondary Teaching Certificate

Saige Howard

Saige Howard

Office Coordinator

Bachelors of Science in Geology

Shay Satmary

Shay Satmary

Program Specialist

Bachelor of Arts in Photography

Masters in Elementary Education

K-8 Nevada Teaching License

Robotics Outreach Leaders

Dana Preece

Dana Preece

Battle Mountain, NV

Bachelors of Science in Health Science

Certificate for ARL Early Childhood Education

Angela Taravella

Angela Taravella

Elko, NV

Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Nancy Thiele

Nancy Thiele

Reno, NV

Bachelors of Arts in General Studies

Masters in Public Health

Robotics Outreach Crew

Nikki Adams

Nikki Adams

Las Vegas, NV

In progress – BS: Biochemistry

Zora Bubula

Zora Bubula

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Kinesiology

Stephanie Du

Stephanie Du

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Computer Science & Engineering

Kai Frudden

Kai Frudden

Reno, NV

BS: Mechanical Engineering

Pattra Gulbag

Pattra Gulbag

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Electrical Engineering

Taryn Kelley

Taryn Kelley

Reno, NV

In progress – BA: Nevada Teach Enviromental Science

Kemma Kolstrup

Kemma Kolstrup

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Biomedical Engineering 

Jocelyn Mainguy

Jocelyn Mainguy

Reno, NV

In progress – BA: Nevada Teach Enviromental Science

Trista McLaughlin

Trista McLaughlin

Reno, NV

In progress – BA: Elementary Education

Lorie Phan

Lorie Phan

Reno, NV

In progress – BA: Business Administration & Accounting

Allison Phillips

Allison Phillips

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Mechanical Engineering

Kye Rivera

Kye Rivera

Reno, NV

In progress – Bachelor’s in Architecture

Bella Thibodeau

Bella Thibodeau

Reno, NV

In progress –  BA: PackTeach – Sociology

Mikayla Ward

Mikayla Ward

Las Vegas, NV

In progress – BS: Environmental Science & Ed

Hayden Zamboanga

Hayden Zamboanga

Reno, NV

In progress – BS: Computer Science & Engineering 

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