Meet the Experts Who Develop Our STEM Education Programs
To fulfill our mission of making STEM education accessible and promoting innovation across the country, our education team collaborates with National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees to create new program curricula each year.
By integrating 21st-century learning with fun, hands-on activities, our team ensures that each STEM education program not only aligns with state and national education standards, but also provides the next generation of inventors with skills that last a lifetime.
Rachelle Albrechta
(Director of Program Development)
Rachelle guides the design of National Inventors Hall of Fame education programs. A team member for more than a decade, she was instrumental in launching the expansion of Camp Invention. Rachelle’s background includes developing and facilitating programs and curricula for nonprofits and the publishing industry, as well as teaching Montessori and gifted programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education and a master’s in education as a gifted intervention specialist. She is also a certified Dream Manager.
Matthew Carter
(Educational DEI Specialist)
Matthew ensures that each of our programs is designed to equitably reach and engage children across communities in a manner that is standards-aligned. With 15 years of K-12 classroom and administration experience in diverse educational settings, he inspires students to think critically and creatively. Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication, a master’s in both curriculum and instruction and theological studies, and a certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from the University of South Florida.
Jayme Cellitioci
(Director of Creativity and Innovation)
Jayme strategically leads vision and strategy for National Inventors Hall of Fame education programming and experiences, as well as the infusion of creativity and innovation tools and processes. She also oversees Inductee integration, museum exhibit and event script writing, and is actively involved in research-based initiatives. A member of our education team for more than a decade, Jayme holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology/biology, a master’s in creativity and change leadership, and a professional certificate in free-choice learning.
Ashley Giordano
(Manager of Program Management)
Ashley guides the tactical details of our large-scale programs, including product development and dissemination. Having been with the National Inventors Hall of Fame since 2018, Ashley is currently engaged in research on behalf of the organization as a member of the Strategic Data Project Fellowship, a program of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. She holds a master’s degree in history and a museum studies certificate from the University of Delaware.
Susie Duchon
(Education Specialist)
Susie is an experienced and dedicated education specialist with a passion for inspiring and empowering children to transform their lives through the power of education. With over 19 years of experience in various roles in the education field, including teaching Camp Invention, Susie deeply understands diverse learning styles and needs. Her infectious enthusiasm for education positively impacts children's lives and promotes the I Can Invent® Mindset. She is a Creative Education Foundation trained Ideator.
Rachel Hunt
(Curriculum Writer)
Rachel develops highly engaging, innovative curricula and provides dynamic training experiences to departments throughout the National Inventors Hall of Fame. She first joined the organization as a member of the customer relations team, assisting with accommodations and providing valuable support to families. Rachel also brings priceless firsthand experience as a Camp Invention Instructor to her curricula writing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education with a focus in mathematics and ELA.
Katie Kirkpatrick
(Curriculum Writer)
Katie crafts exciting curricula designed to spark imagination and build confidence. Prior to joining the education team, she was a kindergarten teacher and has taught in both Montessori and public school settings for more than a decade. Serving as a Camp Invention Instructor for many years, she incorporated the creativity and innovation inspiration she gleaned into her classroom. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education, and she is licensed to teach grades PreK-3.
Emily Mitchell
(Senior Content Writer)
Emily leads media script writing for National Inventors Hall of Fame program development, and applies her background in creative strategy and marketing to curriculum writing and communication efforts. For the past 10 years, she has designed STEM-based experiences that engage children’s natural curiosity and provide an effective structure for investigation. Her ability to make complex science tangible is a key asset to our programs. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Kent State University.
Sarah Moore
(Project Administrator)
Sarah is a collaborative team member who takes pride in her organizational skills and values inclusion in her work as a project administrator. She has gained diverse experiences through her work in higher education, including residence life, safety and student engagement. Sarah holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and student affairs from Kent State University, a bachelor’s in human development, and a bachelor’s in French from the University of Mount Union.
Sara Pompeo
(Editor)
Sara’s detail-oriented nature, as well as her communication and collaboration skills, are valuable assets to our education team as a resident editor. During her undergraduate studies, she was a reporter and editor for Youngstown State University's newspaper, and she went on to serve as a production assistant and web editor for a Youngstown-area TV station. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing with a professional area of study in journalism.
Jennifer Sitton
(Director of Science & Product Development)
Jennifer applies her expertise to leading the integration of cutting-edge STEM into curricula and developing customized, one-of-a-kind take-home products. She has developed education programs and managed processes for the National Inventors Hall of Fame for more than a decade. Jennifer guides science content throughout the organization, including museum exhibit writing and communication pieces. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, a master’s in cell and organismal biology, and a doctorate in biology, specializing in science education.