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@dri.edu

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.”

BA in Human Development and Family Studies

MA in Teaching Elementary Education

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

The Planner

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.”

BS in Zoology

MA in Education

michelle.gallivan-wallace@dri.edu

The Analyst

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.”

BA in Biology

Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation and Assessment

claire.parker@dri.edu

The Innovator

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.”

BA in English and Journalism

MA in English

Secondary Teaching Certificate

jill.strawder-bubala@dri.edu