Teacher Authors

By Teachers, For Teachers

These teacher innovators aren’t afraid to stand out! We’ve partnered with them to make their most awesome learning experiences available to teachers everywhere. They are our inspiration, and we hope they inspire you, too!
Grade 4
Grade 5

GRADE 4

Becky Schnekser

5th Grade Teacher
Cape Henry Collegiate
Norfolk, VA

+ More about Becky

Edwin Maisonet

STEM Teacher
McCleery Elementary School
Aurora, IL

+ More about Edwin

Paul Solarz

4th Grade Teacher
Westgate Elementary School
Arlington Heights, IL

+ More about Paul

Tammy Myers

4th Grade Teacher
Summit Intermediate
Nixa, MO

+ More about Tammy

GRADE 5

Angela Marzilli

PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator
South Portland High
South Portland, ME

+ More about Angela

Elena Jinzo

5th Grade Teacher
Skyline Elementary
San Francisco, CA

+ More about Elena

Elisa Waingort

5th Grade Teacher
W.O. Mitchell School/Calgary Board of Edu.
Calgary, AB

+ More about Elisa

Paul Yenne

5th Grade Teacher
Steele Elementary School
Colorado Springs, CO

+ More about Paul

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216 N. Division, Grand Rapids, MI
© Van Andel Education Institute. All rights reserved.

Becky Schnekser

5th Grade Teacher
Cape Henry Collegiate
Norfolk, VA

Hello! I’m Becky Schnekser, a veteran teacher with a passion for field science; bringing the field to the classroom, and classroom to the field. I’m a National Geographic Certified Educator and Trainer, Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, and Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Award winner. In 2018 alone, I traveled to Peru, Galapagos, and the George Washington National Forest to complete field expeditions in order to bring my passion for field science into classrooms worldwide. As a member of these expedition teams, I used the field experience to inform my own classroom instruction, scale and replicate fieldwork with students, as well as to create learning activities for classrooms worldwide through the National Geographic Educator Community. I’m a consultant and curriculum writer for STEM toy companies such as Lego, DEMCO, Sphero, and LittleBits, bringing expert classroom pedagogical insight to the table.

Edwin Maisonet

STEM Teacher
McCleery Elementary School
Aurora, IL

Hello! My name is Edwin Maisonet and I received my B.A. in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. I subsequently earned a Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership and Life Science from Aurora University. In the past I have taught self-contained elementary classrooms in grades 2-6. Currently, I am employed by Aurora West School District 129, and serve as the STEM teacher at McCleery Elementary School. My hobbies included English literature, playing the electric bass, and talking science.

Paul Solarz

4th Grade Teacher
Westgate Elementary School,
Arlington Heights, IL

Hi! I’m Paul Solarz and I’ve been teaching at Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights since 1999. I’m a vocal advocate for student-centered teaching practices and a focus on twenty-first century skills attainment. My students spend time each week pursuing personal interests during Passion Time (a.k.a. Genius Hour) and maintain personal ePortfolios of their work in class. I’ve published a book entitled, Learn Like a PIRATE which gives teachers ideas for empowering students to collaborate and become stronger leaders while effectively leading the classroom. In 2015, I was named a Top 50 Finalist for the Varkey GEMS Global Teacher Prize, and was also named the 2014 Educator of the Year by Illinois Computing Educators.

Tammy Myers

4th Grade Teacher
Summit Intermediate
Nixa, MO

Hello! My name is Tammy Myers and I’ve been a teacher for Nixa Public Schools since 2000. I dreamed of being a teacher since I was a second grader, and after all these years, I’m just as passionate about it! I love getting to come to school everyday and learning with my fourth graders. I graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and from Lindenwood University with a Masters degree. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending my free time with my family and friends, reading, shopping, and serving at my church. On Saturdays you can usually find me at Busiek State Park riding my horse, Stormy.

Angela Marzilli

PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator
South Portland High
South Portland, ME

Hello, my name is Angela and I currently work as the PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator in a public school department in Maine. My teaching career began with a focus on math, specifically K-8 gifted math education. After five years working in a pull-out program for gifted math students, I returned to the classroom where I facilitated project based learning for third, fourth, and fifth grades. I have led professional development workshops in inquiry based learning, math, science, and STEM integration. Although my primary role now is as a facilitator of adult learning and curriculum developer, I keep my hands in teaching through facilitating a high school level project based Forensic Science class. When not working, I enjoy reading mysteries and having fun in Maine with my two young daughters.

Elena Jinzo

5th Grade Teacher
Skyline Elementary
San Francisco, CA

Hello! My name is Elena Jinzo. For over twenty-five years, I have worked to empower my students and open doors for them. Ingrid B. Lacy, my early mentor teacher, provided both emotional support and thought-provoking inquiries, lighting my path ahead. I served as a middle school teacher and a BTSA teacher before discovering a passion for student-led, collaborative learning and educational technology at Skyline Elementary School. In my first year, I was honored—and humbled—to receive the Teacher-of-the-Year Award by the PTA. The next year, I was privileged to participate in a Genentech Futurelab project to help bring science instruction to life. Outside the classroom, my interests include travel, ancient sites, and museums. I also enjoy outdoor adventures and horticulture. My students’ Garden Club earned a Kent Award, an award highlighting innovation in San Mateo County schools. Whether in or out of the classroom, I believe that as a TEAM, Together Everyone Achieves Miracles!

Paul Yenne

5th Grade Teacher
Steele Elementary School
Colorado Springs, CO

Hi! My name is Paul Yenne, a baby teacher who is excited to have the opportunity to work on the High Energy project. I started my career as a Special Education paraprofessional and loved the five years I spent in that position. In fact, I enjoyed being in education so much that I finished my degree and entered the classroom, where I channel my passion for creating an engaging and relationship-driven environment for kids to discover a sense of independence and self-directed learning. Currently, I teach 5th grade at Steele Elementary school in Colorado Springs School District 11.