Suzanne Pittock

Roseway Heights Middle School, Portland OR

Suzanne grew up in Southern California and holds a BA in Anthropology from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has spent 29 years in the classroom, driven by a passion for making STEM learning accessible and equitable for all students. Suzanne focuses on reframing perceptions of who scientists, engineers, and technicians are—and how students can see themselves in the wide variety that those roles encompass. For 15 years, she has collaborated with Oregon MESA to develop and implement engineering design curricula, deepening her interest in human-centered design and collaborative problem-solving. She currently teaches integrative science, forensic science, and engineering design in Portland, Oregon. Outside of teaching, she enjoys running, gardening, paddle boarding, and traveling.

Tom Wirtz

Design & Construction Instructor, Oregon City High School, Oregon City OR

Tom Wirtz is a teacher at Oregon City High School. He teaches the design and construction courses which are focused around the construction trades and engineering. His interest for showing students the future of clean energy and the tools of the trades are exciting motivates him.

Angela Wright

Sabin Schellenberg, Milwaukie, OR

Angela Rene Wright has taught at Sabin Schellenberg Professional Technical Center as the Building Construction CTE teacher since 2018.

Before teaching, Wright worked as a Residential General Contractor owning and operating her own design/build business. Prior to home remodels, additions and space reconfigurations, she worked at the Joinery as a furniture maker. Between 2003-2011, Wright lived and worked in Barcelona, Spain as a boat carpenter. She has a masters and bachelors in Architecture and Urban Culture. With these life experiences she is able to offer high schoolers insight into all phases of construction, cabinetry and fine woodworking. She is constantly blown away by how much High Schoolers SHOW UP and can ACCOMPLISH and believes wholeheartedly that as long as she cultivates a space for her students to feel seen, respected and valued, they will continue to do so, no matter where life takes them.

Thomas Woodward

CAD and Engineering Instructor, Tigard High School, Tigard OR

Thomas Woodward is the Engineering and Robotics teacher at Tigard High School. He began teaching in 2020 and has created an exciting program that combines high school courses, college-level courses, and modern industry. Thomas is committed to teaching a hands-on curriculum that gives students skills that are immediately applicable to their future careers. In his classroom, students learn how to use industry-standard software including SolidWorks, Mastercam, and Calypso, as well as operate advanced equipment such as a Haas 5-axis CNC mill and a Zeiss DuraMax CMM. Thomas’s curriculum emphasizes real world problem solving, critical thinking, and the development of both technical and soft skills.

In addition to installing industry-standard tools into the classroom, Thomas provides students with local factory tours, access to college credit, industry recognized SolidWorks certifications, and paid internships. These experiences give students a substantial advantage after high school.

Before becoming a teacher, Thomas worked as a Mechanical Engineer. He transitioned to education after discovering that Tigard High School had an open position that combined his two passions: engineering and teaching. He feels fortunate to have a career that is consistently rewarding and fun. Thomas brings both industry insight and a student-centered approach to his work. He is excited to support clean energy education that prepares the next generation of engineers for a more sustainable future.

Laurys Duno

La Cabana de la Abuela, Beaverton OR

Laurys Duno is a petroleum engineer, geoscientist, and educator committed to training new generations in culturally relevant and sustainability-connected learning environments. Holding a Master of Science in Petroleum Geology from the University of Zulia (Venezuela), her professional career spans more than 15 years in the energy industry, leading exploration projects and natural resource analyses, as well as integrated studies of oil, gas, and aquifer reservoirs.

Since moving to Oregon, USA, Laurys has combined her strong scientific background with a passion for education, specializing in curriculum development and educator training in STEM topics, especially at the early childhood level. In 2023, she founded La Cabaña de la Abuela LLC, a bilingual childcare and learning program in Beaverton that integrates innovative approaches to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics from the earliest stages of development.

Laurys firmly believes that meaningful learning occurs when students feel represented, motivated, and connected to their environment. Her mission is to foster educational settings that cultivate critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity, preparing future generations, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to lead a just and sustainable energy transition. Her work aligns with the values of the Clean Energy. Bright Futures initiative, by advancing equitable access to education and future-ready careers.

Laurys Duno es una ingeniera de petróleo, geocientífica y educadora comprometida con la formación de las nuevas generaciones en entornos educativos culturalmente relevantes y conectados con la sostenibilidad. Con una Maestría Scientiarum en Geología Petrolera de la Universidad del Zulia (Venezuela), su trayectoria profesional abarca más de 15 años en la industria energética, liderando proyectos de exploración y análisis de recursos naturales, así como estudios integrados de yacimientos petroleros, gasíferos y acuíferos.

Desde su llegada a Oregón, EE. UU., Laurys ha combinado su sólida experiencia científica con su pasión por la educación, especializándose en el desarrollo curricular y la formación de educadores en temas STEM, especialmente en el nivel de educación temprana. En 2023 fundó La Cabaña de la Abuela LLC, un programa bilingüe de cuidado y aprendizaje infantil en Beaverton que integra enfoques innovadores de Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas desde las primeras etapas del desarrollo.

Laurys cree firmemente que el aprendizaje significativo ocurre cuando los estudiantes se sienten representados, motivados y conectados con su entorno. Por ello, su misión es fomentar entornos educativos que cultiven el pensamiento crítico, la curiosidad y la creatividad, preparando a las futuras generaciones especialmente aquellas de comunidades históricamente marginadas, para liderar una transición energética justa y sostenible. Su trabajo se alinea con los valores del proyecto Clean Energy. Bright Futures, al impulsar el acceso equitativo a la educación y a las carreras del futuro