I graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master???s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and my most recent professional experience includes thirteen years as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace/defense industry. I am also licensed as a professional engineer in the state of Maryland. I hold a conditional teaching certification in technology education, am currently pursuing Maryland state teaching certification. As a professional I took part in many community outreach programs, exposing middle school students to the field of engineering. I taught a lab as a graduate teaching assistant in grad school, taught high school Foundations of Technology and the Project Lead the Way??? Aerospace Engineering course, and have substitute taught many different math, science, and engineering classes in both middle and high school.