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Steven Zipkes, M.Ed.
President & Founder
School Transformation • Leadership • Curriculum • STEM • PBL • Special Education
View Bio & Annotated Résumé
Stacy Zipkes, M.Ed., RN, CCM
Vice President, Student Wellbeing & Safeguarding
SEND • Counseling • SEL • Wellbeing • Safeguarding • Professional Education
School Transformation • Leadership • Curriculum • STEM • PBL • Special Education
Professional Bio
Founder and President of Advanced Reasoning in Education and a practicing school leader. Steven has designed, opened and led Project Based Learning schools, built educator and leadership capacity, and worked across whole-school transformation, curriculum, assessment, instructional systems and achievement-gap improvement.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.Ed., School Administration, Sul Ross State University; B.S., Communications, The University of Texas at Austin; A.G.S., General Studies, Chaminade University.
Current practicePrincipal, Cedars International Next Generation High School; President and Founder, Advanced Reasoning in Education.
School design & leadershipFounding Principal of Manor New Technology High School and Cedars International Next Generation High School. Work includes school design, implementation, operations, staffing, budgeting, academic accountability and closing achievement gaps.
Professional credentialsTexas Superintendent and Mid-Management/Principal certifications; lifetime Generic Special Education PreK–12 teacher certification.
Recognition & national workManor New Technology High School received national attention for its PBL/STEM model, including the 2013 visit by President Barack Obama and earlier remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Steven later participated in White House high-school redesign discussions.
PublicationsContributing author in Design, Make, Play: Growing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators and Deeper Learning: Beyond 21st Century Skills.
ARIE relevanceWhole-system leadership, curriculum and assessment, school transformation, professional learning, coaching, STEM/PBL, special education perspective, implementation and sustainability.
Stacy Zipkes, M.Ed., RN, CCM
Selected Publications, Professional Work & Resources
SEND • Counseling • SEL • Wellbeing • Safeguarding • Professional Education
Professional Bio
Stacy brings more than three decades of experience across child protective services, special education, school counseling, nursing, case management and professional education. Her work connects learner support, psychosocial wellbeing, safeguarding and practical educator development.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.Ed. in Counseling, Sul Ross State University.
Professional credentialsRegistered Nurse; Certified Case Manager; Texas School Counselor PK–12; Special Education Counseling; Generic Special Education PK–12 teaching certification.
Education experienceSpecial education teacher; lead school counselor at elementary and middle school levels; special education counselor supporting students with IEPs and behavioral-health needs.
Healthcare & professional learningMore than 14 years in healthcare, including nursing professional development, onboarding curriculum design, needs assessment, observation/audits and targeted staff education.
SEL & wellbeingDeveloped original SEL curriculum for Advanced Reasoning in Education in 2024 and presented SEL training at the Business Growth Summit in India.
ARIE relevanceSEND, special education, counseling, trauma-informed learner support, psychosocial wellbeing, SEL, safeguarding, professional learning and capacity building.
David Ross, M.S.
Selected Publications, Professional Work & Resources
International education leader, PBL author and practitioner focused on Project Based Learning, education innovation, educational technology, artificial intelligence, instructional design and scalable professional-learning systems.
Annotated Résumé
EducationMaster of Science (M.S.) in American Literature.
ARIE roleChief Program Officer, Advanced Reasoning in Education.
PBL leadershipFormer Senior Director at the Buck Institute for Education, now PBLWorks. Created and directed PBL World and contributed to large-scale PBL professional learning.
National & international leadershipFormer CEO of the Partnership for 21st Century Learning. Has supported professional development, program development and leadership training internationally, including national-level teacher-development work.
Teaching backgroundMore than a decade of classroom teaching, including high-school history and sixth-grade social studies.
AI & EdTechProfessional work in prompt engineering, generative AI, digital learning and the intersection of AI with project design; Google Certified Educator.
Selected publicationPBL Starter Kit: To-the-Point Advice, Tools and Tips for Your First Project in Middle or High School, co-authored with John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller.
Additional publicationModels of Inquiry, Explained, a professional guide to inquiry-based instructional models for educators.
Blog & thought leadershipdavidPBLross: Prompts and Circumstances; also writes on generative AI and classroom/project design.
ARIE relevancePBL systems, AI/EdTech, instructional design, innovation, scalable professional learning and international implementation.
Bilingual educator and school leader with more than two decades in project-based education, curriculum and assessment development, standards alignment, professional learning, coaching and multi-school implementation.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.Ed., Educational Leadership, Texas State University; Principal Certification. B.A. in International Relations with Science & Society minor.
District curriculum workDeveloped K–12 curriculum, unit maps, assessments, pacing and year-at-a-glance documents; supported standards-based PLC planning across multiple schools.
PBL systems leadershipLed district PBL Backward Design Academy work and coached educators and campus leaders across elementary and secondary campuses.
School leadershipFormer Academic Dean at Manor New Technology High School with responsibilities including staff support, master scheduling, programs, graduation pathways, testing and student support systems.
ARIE workThink Global PBL trainer and coach; professional learning and classroom coaching in the United States and internationally.
ARIE relevanceCurriculum, assessment, standards alignment, teacher and leader capacity, PBL implementation and instructional coaching.
Sarah DiMaria, M.A.
Selected Publications, Professional Work & Resources
Mathematics • Curriculum • Coaching • Instructional Practice • PBL
Professional Bio
Mathematics educator, curriculum developer, instructional coach and professional-learning facilitator with experience in PBL, STEM, teacher coaching and standards-aligned mathematics design.
Annotated Résumé
EducationMaster’s in Teaching and Curriculum, Michigan State University; B.S. in Mathematics with Physics minor and interdisciplinary endorsement.
Current practiceInstructional Coach and Professional Development Coordinator at Cedars International Next Generation High School; mathematics teacher and founding staff member.
Curriculum developmentDeveloped problem-based Calculus, Algebra II curriculum maps and Geometry tasks through New Tech Network work, aligned to standards.
Teacher coachingLeads coaching cycles that include planning, observation, analysis and reflection; supports instructional-practice gap analysis and targeted improvement.
ARIE workPBL consultant and trainer since 2015 with educator training/coaching in the United States, Australia and China.
RecognitionNational Board Certified Teacher; Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching national awardee; other mathematics/STEM recognitions.
PublicationsPublished education research and practitioner writing; co-author of Reinvigorating STEM with Project-Based Learning: A Toolbox for Secondary Educators.
ARIE relevanceMathematics, instructional-practice analysis, curriculum, coaching, assessment, PBL and differentiated professional learning.
Stuart Ray, M.A.
Systems & Implementation Specialist
Standards • Achievement Gaps • Data Systems • Science • Leadership
Professional Bio
School administrator and science educator specializing in systems design, achievement data, scheduling, standards implementation, PBL and campus-level improvement.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.A. in Secondary Education; B.S. in Chemistry.
Current leadershipDean of Student Services at Cedars International Next Generation High School.
Systems workScheduling, credit tracking, graduation monitoring, PBL scheduling, dual-credit expansion and student mastery/standardized-test data systems.
Gap analysisUses achievement and standards evidence to identify student performance gaps, staff goals and areas requiring reinforcement or refinement.
Teaching & certificationScience educator with Composite Science certification and experience teaching chemistry and other science courses in PBL environments.
ARIE workThink Global PBL trainer and coach; professional learning and classroom coaching in the United States, Australia, and China.
ARIE relevanceStandards and achievement-gap analysis, school systems, science, data, implementation monitoring and leadership.
Physics-trained educator, secondary science and mathematics teacher, curriculum designer and long-standing ARIE trainer with deep experience in PBL and integrated STEM.
Annotated Résumé
EducationPh.D. in Physics; secondary teaching preparation at The University of Texas at Austin.
Teaching & curriculumFounding faculty member of Manor New Technology High School; science and mathematics teaching with integrated STEM and PBL curriculum.
ARIE experienceDesigned and implemented PBL training for educators since 2009. Think Global PBL trainer and coach; professional learning and classroom coaching in the United States, Australia, China, and Kazakhstan.
International trainingSupported educator training in China, including Beijing, Shenzhen and Hohhot.
Technical focusScience, mathematics, PBL facilitation, performance-task design, integrated STEM, data analysis, differentiation and classroom-ready deeper learning.
ARIE relevanceScience/STEM, mathematics, research, curriculum, assessment, professional learning and instructional coaching.
Instructional designer and trainer with 15+ years building performance-based and project-driven learning across K–12 and adult professional audiences, with deep experience in CTE, computer science and emerging technology.
Annotated Résumé
EducationB.B.A. in Management Information Systems, Texas Tech University.
Current practiceComputer Science & Audio Visual PBL Instructor and VR/Esports Director at Cedars International Next Generation High School.
CurriculumDesigns curriculum for Computer Science I/II, Game Design, Graphic Arts, Technology Literacy, Cyber Forensics and AV Production.
Digital learningGoogle Workspace, Canvas, ECHO, VR, esports and generative AI integrated into curriculum and teacher professional learning.
ARIE workCurriculum creation, train-the-trainer delivery, coaching and event/program support since 2010.
International scopePersonally delivered training in the United States and Australia. Educators trained have included participants from the United States, Australia, Mexico, China and Canada.
ARIE relevanceCTE, digital learning, instructional design, technology integration, needs analysis, ToT and coaching.
Educational-technology and computer-science educator with extensive experience in PBL, curriculum development, technology integration, bilingual education and educator training.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.Ed. in Educational Technology, Texas State University; undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
School experienceFormer founding faculty member of Manor New Technology High School and Cedars International Next Generation High School.
Teaching & curriculumComputer Science, Graphic Design, Web Design, Spanish and dual-credit Computer Science in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin.
TrainingEducator trainer across the United States and Mexico supporting PBL implementation and technology integration.
Technical focusEducational technology, computer science, web design, graphic design, curriculum development, cross-curricular instruction and Spanish-language education.
ARIE relevanceEdTech, computer science, PBL, curriculum integration, teacher training and bilingual/international experience.
Chris Fancher, B.S., M.S.E.S.
Selected Publications, Professional Work & Resources
Mathematics and engineering educator, instructional coach, Project Based Learning trainer and published author with extensive middle-school, high-school and college teaching experience.
Annotated Résumé
EducationB.S. in Mathematics; M.S.E.S. in Engineering.
TeachingMathematics from pre-algebra through calculus and statistics; engineering/design and postsecondary mathematics experience.
PBL & coachingLong-standing PBL trainer and instructional coach, including ARIE and Buck/PBL professional-learning work.
International workPBL professional learning in the United States, China and Australia.
PublicationsCo-author of the three-book Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom series.
ARIE relevanceMathematics, engineering, PBL curriculum design, professional learning, coaching and classroom implementation.
Richard Santos, M.F.A., M.A.
Selected Publications, Professional Work & Resources
Widely published author of fiction and nonfiction, secondary and postsecondary teacher, educational consultant and nonprofit leader with deep expertise in English Language Arts, literacy, composition and creative writing.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.F.A. in Creative Writing, Texas State University; M.A. in English, Georgetown University.
Secondary teachingEnglish and Social Studies, grades 8–12, including Department Chair and Instructional Coach responsibilities.
Higher educationTaught Composition, Literature and Creative Writing at Georgetown University, University of the District of Columbia, Texas State University and Austin Community College.
ARIE workCreated and delivered single-day and multiday trainings online and in person in the United States and Australia; served as an on-campus consultant for schools undergoing systems change. Think Global PBL trainer and coach; professional learning and classroom coaching in the United States and internationally.
Literacy leadershipFormer Executive Director of Austin Bat Cave, a nonprofit using creative writing to teach literacy, build confidence and combat truancy.
Selected publicationsDebut novel Trust Me; editor of A Night of Screams: Latino Horror Stories; fiction, nonfiction and criticism in numerous literary and national publications.
ARIE relevanceEnglish Language Arts, literacy, writing, curriculum, PBL, educator development and systems-change consulting.
Meredith Pappas, M.Ed.
Mathematics & School Leadership Specialist
Mathematics • MTSS • Leadership • Coaching • School Improvement
Professional Bio
Educational leader, school administrator, mathematics educator, instructional coach and PBL facilitator with extensive experience in campus improvement and implementation systems.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, The University of Texas at San Antonio; B.A. in Mathematics, UTeach Program, The University of Texas at Austin.
CredentialsPrincipal EC–12; Mathematics 8–12; English as a Second Language.
LeadershipAssistant Principal, Principal, Interim Principal Intern, Campus Instructional Coach and department/campus team leader.
School improvementExperience with mathematics and science departments, MTSS, campus safety, improvement cycles, college/career readiness and accountability improvement.
ARIE workPBL Training Facilitator, Advanced Reasoning in Education.
TeachingFormer Geometry/Algebra I teacher at Manor New Technology High School and Algebra I teacher at Manor High School.
ARIE relevanceMathematics, MTSS, instructional leadership, school improvement, coaching, operations and implementation.
Victoria Vanzura, B.S., M.Ed.
Elementary Literacy & PBL Specialist
Elementary • Literacy • PBL • Coaching • Professional Learning
Professional Bio
Elementary school literacy specialist, classroom educator, instructional coach and Project Based Learning advocate with extensive experience supporting school-wide PBL implementation.
Annotated Résumé
EducationB.S.; M.Ed.
ExperienceMore than 14 years in education as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, based on prior ARIE proposal materials.
PBL implementationSupported school-wide implementation of Project Based Learning through professional development.
ARIE workARIE Lead Trainer and Coach with educator training/coaching in the United States and Sydney, Australia.
Technical focusElementary education, literacy, PBL, instructional coaching and professional learning.
Jennifer Griffith, M.A.
English Language Arts, Literacy & PBL Specialist
Jennifer Griffith is an experienced English educator whose work spans grades 8 through 12, AP and Dual Credit instruction, reading intervention, curriculum development, project-based learning, and teacher training. Her background adds a strong secondary literacy and college-readiness dimension to ARIE's team. She has delivered domestic and international professional learning for Advanced Reasoning in Education and has worked across multiple Texas school systems.
Annotated Résumé
EducationM.A., Literature, Texas State University; B.A., English, Sam Houston State University.
Secondary ELAExtensive experience teaching English Language Arts across grades 8 through 12, including senior English and college-preparatory coursework.
Advanced courseworkExperience teaching AP English Language and Composition and Dual Credit English 1301 and 1302, with emphasis on advanced reading, writing, analysis and college readiness.
Literacy interventionServed as a Reading Interventionist using Scholastic 180 to support struggling readers and strengthen literacy outcomes.
ARIE workConducted domestic and international teacher training on project-based learning best practices, instructional effectiveness and student engagement.
Curriculum & technical focusCurriculum development and integration, literacy, reading intervention, PBL, AP and Dual Credit instruction, teacher training, educational technology and instructional best practices.
CertificationsESL Certification; Teaching Certification; Special Education Certification.
