Our Teams
Our Teams
Virginia Tech advances opportunity, innovation, and workforce readiness through community‑engaged STEM education and career‑connected learning.
K-12 Initiatives
& the K-12 Innovation Lab
Advancing STEM, Computing, Workforce Readiness, and Educational Innovation
Our Approach
The Virginia Tech K-12 Innovation Lab connects research, education and cross-sector partnerships to expand access to meaningful STEM and computing opportunities. Established with foundational support from The Boeing Company, the lab works with K-12 schools, higher education, industry, government, nonprofits and communities to strengthen educational pathways and help learners prepare for college, careers and a changing world.
Virginia Tech’s K-12 Initiatives team puts research into practice through educational experiences, strategic partnerships and evidence-informed approaches. This work supports educators, engages students and families, and helps schools and communities build stronger STEM and computing opportunities. Our approach is organized around three pillars: Programs, Partnerships and Policy.
We work with school divisions, educators, students and families, researchers, industry and nonprofit leaders, government and military organizations, and funders to connect K-12 education with research, emerging technologies, innovation and workforce needs.
Our Impact
K-12 Initiatives expands access to STEM, computing and workforce pathways through hands-on learning, professional learning for educators, career-connected experiences and cross-sector partnerships.
Technical Education & Workforce Development
Virginia Tech's D.C. area Kindergarten through workforce (K-Workforce) programs began in 2007 through the university’s involvement in the development of several regional career and technical education and STEM education academy programs and related workforce initiatives. These programs evolved most significantly with the implementation of the Thinkabit Lab programs leading more than 40,000 school-aged visitors in career exploration and foundations of engineering, and particularly innovations in IoT and Artificial Intelligence. We remain one of the longest-serving collaborators in the highly regarded Thinkabit Lab program network, and we are now also home to the Invention Virginia / Invention DC programs, and the aggregator for the Northern Virginia STEM Learning Ecosystem.
The mission of our Technical Education and Workforce Development programs is to serve the greater Washington, D.C., area students, teachers, administrators, parents, and collaborators in preparing the future technical workforce and our increasingly diverse, technology-driven community in lifelong learning for jobs that may not yet exist.
In pursuing these goals, our team will work with like-minded teams, organizations, individuals, and sponsors interested in promoting curiosity, innovation, creativity, and students’ self-actualization and self-determination.
About Ly'chel:
Lead Program Coordinator
Ly'chel Carmichael serves as a K-12 Program Coordinator (Elementary) dedicated to expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities that support student success and workforce readiness.
Education:
- M.S., Special Education & Adult Teaching - Walden University
- B.A., Early Childhood Education - Washington Adventist University
- A.A., Elementary Education - Prince George’s Community College
Certifications & Endorsements:
- Maryland State Teaching Certification - Early Childhood Education (PreK–3)
- Special Education Endorsement - K–12
- Reading Instruction Endorsement
- PBIS Training — Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
With experience spanning K-12 education, early learning, and professional development, she brings expertise in program coordination, instructional support, educator learning, and student engagement.
Ly'chel coordinates educational and enrichment initiatives that connect students with meaningful STEM experiences, leadership development, and career exploration opportunities. She also supports professional learning programs that strengthen educator practice and enhance student outcomes. Passionate about helping learners reach their full potential, Ly'chel is committed to creating engaging learning environments that empower students and educators to thrive.
About Roxana:
Education:
- Ph.D. in Physics – Florida Atlantic University,
- M.S. in Biophysics
Roxana is dedicated to elevating STEM education and skills for students and professionals at all levels. She designs, develops and coordinates high-impact training and mentorship initiatives including interactive web-based courses, workshops and personalized STEM coaching for K-12 and undergraduate students. Roxana efficiently manages student and teacher program lifecycle by directing application reviews, ensuring safety compliance and tracking research outcomes.
Roxana serves as the K-12 Program Coordinator, Secondary Programs, and is dedicated to advancing STEM education and career readiness for students. She designs, develops, and coordinates high-impact educational and mentorship initiatives, including interactive workshops, web-based learning resources, and STEM enrichment programs for middle school, high school, and undergraduate students.
Roxana oversees the student program lifecycle, including application review, program implementation, safety and academic compliance, and outcome tracking. She collaborates with academic, scientific, community, and industry partners to connect students with meaningful opportunities, resources, and pathways for success. Through her work, Roxana helps foster STEM skills, leadership development, and college and career readiness for the next generation of innovators.
About Ellen:
Education:
- M.A.Ed., Marymount,
- B.S., University of Notre Dame,
- National Board Certified, Gifted and Talented Certification
K-12 STEM Instructor, Math
Ellen Richard is a K-12 STEM Instructor with expertise in mathematics education, intervention, and curriculum development. A National Board-Certified Teacher with more than 20 years of experience, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and succeed in STEM learning.
Before joining the K-12 Initiatives team, Ellen served as a Math Interventionist with Fairfax County Public Schools, supporting K-6 students through targeted instruction designed to strengthen mathematical understanding and close learning gaps. She is also the founder of Letter Learning, LLC, an educational company that develops innovative learning resources for students and families.
Ellen holds a Master of Arts in Education from Marymount University, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame, and Gifted and Talented Certification. A published author, she is committed to creating engaging learning experiences that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
About Topaz:
Education:
- B.S. Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems - Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Drone & Emerging Technology Education Partner
Topaz Navarro serves as the Drone and Emerging Technology Partner for K-12 Initiatives, leading the delivery of year-round and summer drone education programs. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with more than 25 years of service in military intelligence, Topaz brings extensive leadership and technical expertise to STEM education. As an FAA Part 107 certified drone operator and Founder and CEO of Escape Velocity Academy, he provides hands-on instruction in drone operations, aerial robotics, coding, and competitive drone sports. Through his work with schools and community partners, Topaz is committed to expanding access to innovative STEM opportunities and inspiring students to explore future careers in technology and engineering.
About Andrea:
Education:
- M.S. in Elementary Education
- National Board Certified, Gifted and Talented Certification
Andrea Houston is an accomplished National Board-Certified Educator and Elementary Curriculum and Program Developer with more than 15 years of experience creating meaningful, innovative learning experiences for children. Holding a master’s degree in elementary education and a gifted certification, Andrea brings a deep understanding of young learners with a passion for STEM, creativity, and hands-on discovery.
Andrea's philosophy of education is rooted in the belief that powerful learning begins with authentic relationships and high engagement. She is passionate about fostering learning environments where students feel valued, heard, and empowered to find their voice, recognize their potential, and make a meaningful impact.
Outside of education, Andrea enjoys fitness and spending quality time with her family.
About Shikhar:
Education:
- M.A.Ed., Science Education, Virginia Tech
- M.Eng., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
- B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University (India)
Mr. Shikhar Kashyap is a doctoral candidate in Science Education at the Virginia Tech School of Education, where his work focuses on STEM education, inquiry-based learning, science identity, and emerging technologies in K–12 education.
Mr. Kashyap has experience in designing and facilitating interdisciplinary STEM curricula involving robotics, engineering design, environmental science, coding, AI, drones, sensors, data literacy, and educational technology.
Mr. Kashyap work emphasizes helping learners connect STEM concepts to real-world challenges through creativity, collaboration, and evidence-based problem solving. His broader interests include educational innovation, teacher development, AI in education, and expanding meaningful STEM opportunities for diverse learners and communities.
He received an M.A.Ed., Science Education and M.Eng., Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He has a B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University (India).
About Jessica:
Jessica (Jess) Ittayem is a STEM leader and instructor at Virginia Tech’s Thinkabit Lab and researcher for Virginia Tech’s Technical Education and Workforce Development programs. Her role involves guiding the engineering and design process to motivate K-12 students to take part in invention and innovation, and particularly in creative Internet of Things (IoT). She engages teachers and students in makerspace activities to nurture creativity, collaboration, and executive function skills critical to success for the future technical workforce.
Jessica is also the co-leader of Virginia Tech’s Invention Education Programs (Invention Virginia and Invention DC), and she also collaborates with schools in SOL Science exam preparation.
Jessica is a licensed Virginia educator and has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership.
Read more on LinkedIn.
About Andreea:
Dr. Virginia A. (Andreea) Sistrunk is a computer science and data science researcher specializing in human-centered computing. She leads many technical projects and supports early researchers in engineering design and science initiatives leading to patent applications and peer-reviewed journal publications.
Andreea’s doctoral research was at the intersection of computer science, education policy, and geographical information systems and related to Redistrict, an online software platform built by a team of researchers at the Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics to help school districts with their rezoning efforts. Her goal was to use technology to decrease contentious debates and raise awareness among stakeholders about the difficulty of producing a rezoning proposal that offers an optimal solution.
Andreea has a Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Application.
Read more on LinkedIn.
About Sarah:
Sarah Sanfield is a graduate of the College of Natural Resources and Environment program in Virginia Tech's Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, she has developed, taught, and supported educational resources that not only promote sustainability and conservation education initiatives locally, regionally, and internationally, but also methods of communication through creative and written means.
Within Virginia Tech’s K-20 Technical Education and Workforce Development programs, she collaboratively leads Virginia Tech’s D.C. Area Science and Engineering Internships summer programs supporting more than 70 students from over 20 regional schools annually. Moreover, she assists younger researchers in brainstorming and refining their discoveries, and how to collaborate and communicate with people with different backgrounds or perspectives who are indirectly or directly involved in or impacted by the researcher's knowledge.
Read more at LinkedIn.
About Victoria:
Victoria Bujoreanu has been involved with Virginia Tech’s Thinkabit Lab and Technical Education and workforce programs since 2021, when she was a leader (and founder) of Technovation Girls in Northern Virginia and hosted more than 80 other young engineers at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Science Center. She leads Virginia Tech’s D.C. Area Science and Engineering Internships summer programs supporting more than 70 students from over 20 regional schools annually.
As a Richmond Scholar at the University of Richmond she is majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in Development and Change, with a double minor in Russian Studies and Education and Society. She also serves as the Chapter Vice President of UR's Young People's Alliance, a Writing Consultant for the Weinstein Learning Center, an Orientation Advisor for the Office of Admissions, a Fellow for the Center for Liberal Arts and Artificial Intelligence, and a Committee Head for Alpha Kappa Psi.
Read more at LinkedIn.
About Jamie:
Jessica (Jess) Ittayem is a STEM leader and instructor at Virginia Tech’s Thinkabit Lab and researcher for Virginia Tech’s Technical Education and Workforce Development programs. Her role involves guiding the engineering and design process to motivate K-12 students to take part in invention and innovation, and particularly in creative Internet of Things (IoT). She engages teachers and students in makerspace activities to nurture creativity, collaboration, and executive function skills critical to success for the future technical workforce.
Jessica is also the co-leader of Virginia Tech’s Invention Education Programs (Invention Virginia and Invention DC), and she also collaborates with schools in SOL Science exam preparation.
Jessica is a licensed Virginia educator and has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership.
Read more on LinkedIn.