The people behind VST
Virtual Science Teachers is built by educators, scientists, instructional specialists, technology professionals, and community partners. We share a commitment to creating science resources that help teachers make student thinking visible and move that thinking forward.
Teachers are at the center of the work.
VST starts with what teachers and students actually need in the classroom. Educators help identify those needs, test ideas, review resources, and show us where students are likely to struggle, question, or make unexpected connections.
Science content experts strengthen accuracy. Instructional specialists help make complex ideas understandable without oversimplifying the science. Technology professionals help us turn those ideas into simulations, interactive activities, and other tools teachers can use with students.
The goal is not technology for its own sake. It is better science learning and better ways for teachers to see what students understand.
VST Leadership and Board of Directors
Our leadership and Board of Directors help VST stay focused on its mission, grow responsibly, and make sound decisions about education, technology, finances, partnerships, and the long-term direction of the organization.
Suzanne Sprague
Founder & Executive Director
Miguel Ramlatchan
Board Chair & Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Enyinne Williams
Vice Chair
Gerardo Zuniga Guerra
Secretary
Bryan Kind
Treasurer
Dr. Maryam Ashoori
Board Member
Todd Tribble
Board Member
Cecilia Bernuy
Board Member
Dr. TaShara Bailey
Board Member
VST Academic Review Board
Our Academic Review Board brings classroom experience directly into VST's development process. These educators provide feedback on science content, instructional usefulness, student thinking, and how resources are likely to work in real classrooms.
Elizabeth Spike
Education Program Manager
Clean Air Partners
Michael Kendzora, M.S.Ed.
Science Education Program Specialist
Colleen Flanagan
High School Chemistry Teacher
Kirsten Salonga
Environmental Science for Multilingual Learners
Ashley Moles
Middle School Science Teacher
Angela Estrella
High School Science Teacher
Project Contributors
VST also works with specialists who contribute their expertise to particular resources, projects, and areas of development.
Donna Falk
Instructional Design Expert
Nichole Pallan
Science Content Developer & Weather and Climate SME
Many people contribute to VST's work.
In addition to the people listed here, VST works with teachers, reviewers, interns, scientists, subject matter experts, school divisions, universities, and community partners on individual resources and projects. Their feedback and expertise help us keep improving what we provide to teachers and students.
Good science resources take more than one kind of expertise.
Different people contribute at different points in the process. What matters is that the final resource is scientifically sound, useful to teachers, understandable to students, and practical in a real classroom.
Teachers
Identify classroom needs, test resources, share student responses, spot confusing instructions, and help us understand what actually works during instruction.
Science Experts
Review scientific content, contribute subject-area knowledge, and help VST represent complex science accurately.
Instructional Specialists
Help shape questions, models, explanations, and learning experiences so students can engage with challenging ideas in meaningful ways.
Technology Professionals
Build and support the digital systems that make simulations, interactive activities, LMS tools, and other VST resources possible.
Interested in contributing to VST?
We work with educators, scientists, school divisions, universities, community organizations, funders, and technology partners who want to strengthen science teaching and learning.
Contact VST