Meet the Instructors
Arun Abraham
Arun Abraham has more than 20 years of experience as an engineering leader at Microsoft, where he works on cutting-edge technologies and innovative projects. He currently coaches a competitive FTC robotics team, sharing his passion for technology and robotics with the next generation of innovators. He’s excited to inspire curiosity and creativity in students and help them explore the exciting world of robotics and technology. Arun has a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Southern California.
Caleb Burke
Caleb Burke is a programmer analyst at Boeing. He’s worked in Java for the past five years and has taught Java courses for UW Professional & Continuing Education. Before learning Java, he used other languages such as C programming for embedded systems and JavaScript. Caleb recently completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering through the University of Washington Bothell.
Teaches: Coding in Java I and Coding in Java II
Cassia Cai
Cassia Cai is pursing her doctorate in physical oceanography in the School of Oceanography at the UW, where she studies sea surface temperature variability in climate models. She received her master’s degree in applied mathematics from the UW and her bachelor’s degree in earth and planetary sciences from Northwestern University, where she had the opportunity to work with high schoolers to prepare them to compete in the Regional Science Bowl. She found that experience rewarding and is excited to work with high schoolers again.
Teaches: Introduction to Math Modeling
Lisa Carlson
Lisa Carlson is a database administrator and a data visualization specialist for nonprofits. She's worked with data for years and teaches data visualization courses with UW Professional & Continuing Education. Lisa fervently advocates for using data to shape informed decisions and narratives. Building on a solid educational foundation, including a bachelor’s degree in Biblical literature from Northwest University and specialized certifications, she is currently working on a master's degree in information management at the UW.
Teaches: Introduction to Data Visualization
Caitlin Chamberlin
Caitlin Chamberlin earned a master’s in education with a science concentration from the University of Washington. After teaching for many years at Bertschi School in Seattle, she now develops and teaches STEM courses for UW Youth & Teen Programs. Caitlin was awarded a National Science Foundation teacher researcher position at the UW's Molecular Engineering Materials Center (MEM-C), where she conducted research and collaborated with campus scientists to develop the NanoCamp! curriculum. She also received a 2023 Teaching Excellence Award from UW Continuum College. Caitlin loves learning from her students and inspiring them to be curious about their world.
Teaches: Innovation Lab: Robotics & Coding and NanoCamp!
Jennifer Cuffman
Jennifer Cuffman received her doctorate in English literature from the University of Washington. During her time at the UW, Jennifer taught a variety of writing classes in the Expository Writing Program, and she loves helping her students feel more comfortable and confident as writers.
Teaches: Sharpen Your Writing Skills and Writing Arguments That Matter
Daisy Fernandez
Daisy Fernandez is a senior at the University of Washington, double majoring in English and international studies. Daisy fell in love with the art of public speaking when she joined her middle school’s mock trial team. She continued to compete in high school and college, eventually becoming an award-winning member of her college team. Daisy now works as coach for the Central Washington University Mock Trial program and for middle school debate programs across the Seattle area. As both a competitor and coach, Daisy has learned to value teamwork, dedication and a positive attitude, a lesson she hopes to pass onto her students.
Teaches: Inside the Courthouse
Jordyn FrostKing
Jordyn FrostKing is a Career and Technical Education-certified STEM teacher with Seattle Public Schools, where she also teaches seventh grade science. She has a background in biology and informal science education, and earned a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Washington. Jordyn combines her passion for science education and social justice, working on various teams in the Seattle Public Schools district to modify curriculum to be justice-centered, STEM-inspired and supportive to all learners.
Teaches: Introduction to Game Design
Matt Fujimoto
Matt Fujimoto is a graduate of the University of Washington's Department of Architecture. Matt's work is influenced by their travel experiences and passion for music. Matt has a rich portfolio that includes urban design; the design of workplace and commercial spaces, affordable housing, performance spaces, multifamily and single-family residential structures and art installations; and the use of innovative construction methods.
Teaches: Architectural Studies I and Architectural Studies II
Jessica Holmes
Jessica Holmes teaches English and writing at Eastern Oregon University. She has taught college-level classes in composition and rhetoric, modern and contemporary literature, creative writing, interdisciplinary writing, science writing, environmental humanities, women’s studies and public scholarship. She holds a doctorate in English language and literature from the UW.
Teaches: Writing for College Readiness
Steve Howard
Steve Howard is a middle school STEM teacher in the Edmonds School District. His work focuses on engineering and design-build projects. Steve takes a hands-on approach to promote technical skills in youth, including CAD modeling; coding; robotics; 3D and laser printing; and using shop tools to build confidence, creativity and career-connected learning.
Teaches: 3D Design & CAD Modeling and 3D Design & CAD Modeling for Kids and Innovation Lab: Robotics & Coding
Dora Lanier
Dora Lanier was recently named 2024 playwright in residence for Hypatia in the Woods to work on her new play Erasing Ophelia. Her plays include 7,433 Days of Silence, Portrait of Women at War, She Wants, Wife-Mother-Friend and Pioneer Women of the Northwest. For various utilities in the Puget Sound region, she’s written/co-written Detective SafetySmarts Explores Electrical Safety, Rhoda and the Grumpy Trash Can, Wanda Flipplefairy Finds Water, Protecting “R” Planet, Going Green Together, The 4R’s Challenge and Planet Protector Adventures! Since earning her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dora has appeared on stage and screen, most recently as Horvath in Enemy of the People on a Minnesota tour for Sod House Theater and the campus safety officer for the horror feature film 213 Bones. Her favorite roles include Mistress Quickly in Henry V, Rita in Educating Rita and Pam the Bingo Queen.
Teaches: Playwriting Workshop for Kids and Playwriting Workshop for Middle School
Joy Muñoz
Joy Muñoz (formerly Christensen) has a B.A. in architectural design and a master’s in architecture from the University of Washington. She's worked with the City of Seattle's Department of Transportation to rehabilitate public beaches and is currently working with the architecture firm Perkins Eastman on an affordable housing program. Joy regularly shares her experience of going through UW's architecture programs and mentors students on the ins and outs of the application process.
Teaches: Architectural Studies II and Introduction to Architecture
Will Nelson
Will Nelson has taught fifth through eighth graders for more than 20 years. Primarily a science teacher, he currently teaches sixth and seventh graders at Denny International Middle School in West Seattle. In the summer, Will likes to kayak, travel and spend time floating the local rivers and lakes. In the winter, he can be found up at Snoqualmie Pass where he’s taught people how to snowboard for more than a decade. Will is excited to be teaching this summer at the UW and looks forward to engaging in exploration, engineering and hands-on learning.
Teaches: Engineering Challenges and Engineering Challenges for Kids and Exploring Microbiology for Kids
Julie Olsen
Will Nelson has taught fifth through eighth graders for more than 20 years. Primarily a science teacher, he currently teaches sixth and seventh graders at Denny International Middle School in West Seattle. In the summer, Will likes to kayak, travel and spend time floating the local rivers and lakes. In the winter, he can be found up at Snoqualmie Pass where he’s taught people how to snowboard for more than a decade. Will is excited to be teaching this summer at the UW and looks forward to engaging in exploration, engineering and hands-on learning.
Teaches: Young Writers Workshop
Andy Peterson
Andy Peterson combines his extensive background in engineering, electronics and art to create multidisciplinary workshops for middle school students that feature creativity and problem-solving. He’s received generous funding for his projects from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4Culture and Artist Trust. He’s the founder of Seattle Robotic Arts, an after-school program for adolescents in South Seattle. In addition to teaching students at private and public schools, Andy’s taught visual art at Washington State University and Seattle Pacific University. He’s currently pursuing a doctorate in information science at the UW.
Teaches: DIY Electronics
Ray Pfortner
Ray Pfortner loves photography and teaching, especially to teens. He's been doing both for over 20 years in New York City, California and Seattle. Ray is an instructor for the UW’s Certificate in Photography and Bellevue College’s Digital Photography Certificate Program. He’s worked in photography as an educator, stock agent, editor, consultant and photographer. Ray has a bachelor's in biology from Yale and a master's in environmental management from Duke. He’s been a fellow of the North American Nature Photography Association since 2003. His photography is represented by Getty Images.
Teaches: Digital Photography: Camera, Composition & Beyond and Wild About Photography
Brad Shigenaka
Brad Shigenaka is a Career and Technical Education-certified STEM teacher with Seattle Public Schools, where he has also served as a science teacher and curriculum specialist. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in teaching from the University of Washington.
Teaches: Introduction to Game Design
Jack Straub
Jack Straub spent more than 35 years as a software developer and engineer in the computer industry, where he focused on system-level implementations using a variety of languages and platforms. He also helped develop corporate coding standards in PL/I and C and authored textbooks on several programming languages, including C. Jack has been honored for teaching excellence by UW Professional & Continuing Education.
Teaches: Coding in Java I and Coding in Java II
Nikhil Thaker
Nikhil Thaker is the director of the analytics and supply chain division of a large retailer. He has a master’s in industrial engineering and has worked with multiple companies and industries throughout his career, focusing on supply chain optimization. As coach and a mentor for a robotics team for more than five years, he’s had the opportunity to support his team in winning state and national championships in middle school and high school robotics.
Glen Tokola
Glen Tokola is the University of Washington’s esports manager and an esports professional specializing in editorial management and content strategy. He previously supported major productions and content-driven partnership campaigns between tier 1 esports organizations, game studios and streaming platforms. Glen is passionate about Destiny 2, card games and developing the next generation of esports leaders.
Teaches: Esports, Gaming & Broadcasting
Sabet Vallejo
Sabet Vallejo has been an engineer for more than 30 years and a technology instructor for 20 years. She’s excited about the power of engineering to create simple solutions to complex problems. During her career, she’s solved many engineering problems through the use of software development tools. Sabet earned a master’s in engineering construction from the University of Washington.
Teaches: Algorithmic Thinking: Programming Logic Fundamentals
Wei Chih-Wang
Wei-Chih Wang is an affiliated associate professor in the UW Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. His principal research is in the area of optical MEMS, fiber-optic sensors, and advance materials and structure study. Wei-Chih is passionate about engaging youth in STEM-related learning. He encourages students to engage with the materials directly because he believes that students learn about technology far more effectively through hands-on experiences than from absorbing it only from textbooks and theory.
