ITEEA - Newest 21st Century Leadership Cohort Announced

News Release: ITEEA Announces 21st Century Leadership Academy Class of 2023-24

ITEEA's 21st Century Leadership Academy (21CLA) was established in 2006 as an initiative to facilitate leadership development within ITEEA and the technology and engineering education profession. The goal is to create tomorrow's most successful and respected technology and engineering leaders, consultants, and strategic thinkers.

The 21CLA empowers dedicated educators to develop new knowledge and skills and become more effective leaders in the technology and engineering profession. Past Academy participants have included graduate students; early career university faculty members; elementary, middle, and high school teachers; and supervisors and administrators. Since its formation, the 21CLA has provided over 90 educators the opportunity to network with colleagues and peers, connect with and learn from established leaders, and participate in online and face-to-face leadership development activities.

Congratulations to the following individuals who were selected from a competitive pool of applicants to comprise the 2023-2024 cohort!

Natalie Crosby

Natalie Crosby is a Ph.D. Candidate pursuing her degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Integrative STEM Education at Virginia Tech. Prior to attending Virginia Tech, Natalie earned her M.Ed. in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University and her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech. She taught math and science at the middle and high school levels for six years before becoming an instructional coach for an additional six years.

Brent Curran

Brent Curran is a Computer Science, IT, and Technology Education Consultant for the Office of Career and Technical Education within the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Before joining the CTE team at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Brent taught many design and engineering courses and served as an advisor for the Technology Student Association. He received both his master’s degree in Technology Education and a bachelor’s degree in Technology, Engineering, and Design from North Carolina State University. He currently serves on the CompTIA National CTE Advisory Council, and has been an active member within ITEEA and the NC ACTE Technology Division. Brent highly values CTSOs and the opportunity they provide for students and teachers through intracurricular hands-on learning and leadership activities.

Barbara Dunham

Barbara Dunham has seventeen years’ experience teaching Career Technologies/STEM education within a public-school setting. During this time she has mentored novice teachers within her school district and the National Education Association. Barbara graduated from Capella University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management. She is the ITEEA State Champion for Alabama, former NSTA Technology Advisory Committee Chair, NAEP Panelist, Engineering Academy Program of Instruction Developer State of Alabama, Career Cluster Technologies Program of Instruction Developer State of Alabama, US Department of Education Grant Panelist Moderator, former Alabama Science Teachers Association Professional Development Director and Post- Secondary Director, and Department Chair, Career Discoveries.

Deidre Paris

Deidre E. Paris is an engineering and technology teacher at Dobbins Middle School in Paulding County, Georgia. She earned her doctorate in civil and environmental engineering and holds a Master degree in both public policy and electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Her Bachelors degree is from Southern University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in electrical engineering. Prior to teaching in secondary education, Deidre was a college professor teaching engineering, computer science, and mathematics. She has also worked as an educational consultant and researcher for several public and private industries including General Electrical, Army Environmental Policy Institute, Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NASA (Marshall Space Flight Center and Glen Research Center), Boeing, KIA, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, and Oak Ridge National Labs. Deidre's professional teaching goal is to prepare young people for STEM careers by exposing them to different technologies and engineering concepts.

Carol Unterreiner

Carol Unterreiner is a Middle School Engineering teacher at Milwee Middle School in Seminole County, Florida. Milwee has received ITEEA's Program Excellence award, the ITEEA STEM Schools of Excellence recognition, the ISEA STEM school award, and the Magnet Schools of America Award. She has taught engineering for 11 years as well as taught science, math, and physical education for a total of over 29 years of teaching experience. Carol has also been a conference presenter at FAST, NSTA, FEEC, ITEEA, PLTW, TSA and ISEA. She is a sponsor for TSA, Beta Club, SECME, Girl’s Engineering Breakfast Club, and Student Astronaut Challenge. Carol has been named Milwee Teacher of the Year, Air Force Association Teacher of the Year for Seminole County, and has received ITEEA's Teacher Excellence Award and ISEA's STEM Champion award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in communication studies from the University of Central Florida.

Tracy Young

Tracy Young is the STEAM Specialist at Benton Hall Academy in Little Falls, NY. Mrs. Young is the Engineering byDesign instructor for over 500 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. She has served as Secretary of ITEEA's Elementary STEM Council since 2016. In that time, she has presented at ITEEA International Conferences in Kansas City, Baltimore, and Orlando. Tracy also has presented at the 2022 NYSTEEA Conference as well as the Fall 2022 Technology Conference at SUNY Oswego. She co-teaches an EBD class at Purdue University with Dr. Nathan Mentzer. During the school year, Mrs. Young facilitates collaborative field work with Utica University students in person in her STEAM Lab as well as virtually as needed. Three of Mrs. Young’s fifth grade students won the 2018 ITEEA Elementary STEM Council’s Grand Design Challenge. In 2018, Mrs. Young was also awarded the Observer Dispatch’s Amazing Teacher Award. Mrs. Young was previously a first grade teacher and is in her 27th year of teaching.

"Being a part of 21st Century Leadership Academy has given me so many opportunities to meet and work with educators in my field and beyond. I have gained invaluable knowledge and connections with people all over the world."

Blaire Thrasher

2022-23 Cohort Member

Click to learn more about ITEEA's 21st Century Leadership Academy