Welcome to The STEM Loft

A Space for Creative, Hands-On Learning

A Journey Rooted in STEM

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the way science explains the world around us. That fascination led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, where I spent years studying life at its smallest, most intricate levels. But what I discovered along the way is that I love not only learning science but also sharing it.

For over ten years, I’ve worked as a private tutor, helping students one-on-one in subjects ranging from biology to chemistry to algebra. Those sessions taught me a great deal about how students think, what frustrates them, and the creative approaches that make content “click.” Later, I transitioned into the classroom, teaching biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering design at the high school level. Over the past five years, I’ve seen firsthand the excitement that happens when students are given the chance to explore science in active, inquiry-driven ways.

Alongside classroom teaching, I’ve earned certifications in Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering Essentials and Principles of Engineering. These programs gave me tools to bring authentic design challenges into my classroom and to inspire students to think like engineers and innovators.

Why I Started The STEM Loft

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but let’s be honest: it’s also one of the busiest. Between grading, planning, meetings, and mentoring, there’s often little time left to create high-quality, engaging lessons from scratch. That’s where The STEM Loft comes in.

I created The STEM Loft to share the resources, lessons, and projects I’ve developed for my own students. My goal is to help teachers save time while still giving their students hands-on, meaningful learning experiences. Every resource is:

Aligned to TEKS and NGSS standards
Classroom-ready with minimal prep
Student-centered, interactive, and differentiated
Designed to connect STEM concepts to real-world applications

From case study bundles on human body systems to engineering design projects using micro:bits and cardboard battle bots, each product reflects my belief that science should be active, not passive.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe that students learn best when they are:

Engaged in inquiry – asking questions, testing hypotheses, and discovering answers.
Solving real-world problems – applying content knowledge to authentic challenges.
Collaborating with peers – building communication and teamwork skills alongside STEM content.
Encouraged to be creative – viewing science not as a set of memorized facts but as a process of discovery.

That’s why my resources go beyond traditional worksheets. Instead, you’ll find:

Case studies that place students in real scenarios and require critical thinking.
Labs and projects that encourage hands-on investigation.
Differentiated materials that support both struggling and advanced learners.
Assessments and quizzes that connect directly to standards while still being practical and student-friendly.

Shining Teaching Moments

One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching students take ownership of their learning. A few moments stand out:

Organizing an all school STEM Day where high school students created hands-on science demos for elementary visitors — a powerful moment of cross-age teaching.
Coaching teams through a battle bot challenge, where students engineered cardboard robots powered by micro:bits and competed in friendly “STEM battles.”
Leading case studies where students acted as medical professionals analyzing data from “patients” to diagnose conditions, bringing anatomy and physiology lessons to life.

These experiences confirmed for me that when students see the real-world impact of science, they light up with curiosity. That’s the kind of energy I want to infuse into every resource I create.

Expanding Into Curriculum Writing

While I love teaching, I also feel called to expand my impact beyond the walls of my own classroom. That’s why I’m actively building a portfolio of curriculum writing projects and completing certifications in:

Learning Experience Design
Instructional Design Foundations
STEM Teaching Practices
Google Certified Educator + ISTE Certification

My long-term goal is to transition into full-time curriculum writing and instructional design by May 2026, combining my teaching experience, content expertise, and design skills to create resources that serve teachers and learners on a larger scale.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

This site is more than just a portfolio. It’s also a blog where I’ll share:

STEM pedagogy insights – strategies for project-based learning, inquiry-driven teaching, and Universal Design for Learning.
Differentiation ideas – ways to adapt lessons for English language learners, advanced students, and those needing extra support.
Classroom-tested activities – labs, projects, and case studies you can use right away.
Instructional design reflections – artifacts like storyboards, flowcharts, and assessment blueprints that showcase my design process.
Behind-the-scenes looks – the creative spark that comes from my hobbies like crafting, cooking, and gardening, and how they influence my STEM teaching.

TPT, Teachable, and Beyond

You can also find my work beyond this blog:

On Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), where I share bundles, labs, and case studies designed for busy teachers who need ready-to-use resources.
On Teachable, where I’m developing self-paced online courses, starting with Introduction to Cells and expanding into Genetics, Human Body Systems, and beyond.
In my portfolio, where I showcase the instructional design projects I’ve been building as part of my professional growth.

My hope is that no matter where you find me — here, on TPT, or in an online course — you’ll discover resources that are engaging, practical, and rooted in a deep love for science and teaching.

Beyond the Classroom

Outside of teaching and curriculum design, I enjoy crafting, cooking, and gardening. I love experimenting with new recipes, creating hands-on projects, and growing fresh herbs and vegetables. These hobbies not only give me a creative outlet but also often inspire new ideas for lessons and resources, blending everyday experiences with STEM concepts in engaging and practical ways.

Join Me on This Journey

I started The STEM Loft as a way to share my resources, ideas, and passion for science with a wider community. Whether you’re a teacher looking for ready-to-use lessons, a fellow curriculum writer seeking inspiration, or simply someone curious about STEM education, I’m glad you’re here.

This blog will grow alongside me as I continue to create, learn, and transition into full-time curriculum writing. I hope you’ll join me for the journey — explore the portfolio, try out a resource, or just enjoy the teaching stories I share along the way.

If you’d like to explore more:

Browse my Portfolio for writing samples.
Visit my TPT Store (The STEM Loft) for classroom-ready resources.
Check out my Teachable Courses for digital STEM learning opportunities.
Or simply follow along on the blog for strategies, reflections, and new ideas.

Together, let’s reimagine STEM education as creative, hands-on, and inspiring for every learner.