Meet Our Awardees
DoW STEM Ambassador
The DoW STEM Ambassador Program recognizes outstanding educators and promotes STEM learning across the nation.
DoW STEM Ambassadors work together to create and curate remote learning and digital materials such as lesson plans, learning activities, and creative engagement approaches to be shared with educators.
Albert Einstein Fellowship The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena.
DoW SMART SEED Grant The SEED program competitively awards research grants up to $100K per year for up to a maximum of three years to help support promising SMART scholars establish a foundational research / engineering effort in their area of expertise as they transition from the pursuit of their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) to an active Department of War (DoW) professional.
DoW STEM Ambassador The DoW STEM Ambassador Program recognizes outstanding educators and promotes STEM learning across the nation.
SMART Scholar & Mentor of the Year This award recognizes SMART scholar and mentor pairs who demonstrate exemplary achievements during the pursuit of their SMART-sponsored degree.
STEM Advocate of the Quarter This award recognizes outstanding STEM education and outreach efforts that help to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders while furthering the mission of the Department of War.
AWARD TYPE
Albert Einstein Fellowship
DoW STEM Ambassador
SMART Scholar & Mentor of the Year
STEM Advocate of the Quarter
Cassandra-Jay (CJ) Young
Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Teacher, Guam Department of Education
Adjunct Instructor, University of Guam
Guam
CJ is a dedicated educator in Guam currently serving as a Preschool Special Education (SPED) teacher with the Guam Department of Education. CJ provides specialized support to the island’s youngest learners. This dedication extends to higher education as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Guam, where she teaches “Teaching Students with Different Abilities,” preparing the next generation of educators to support classroom needs.
CJ holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a minor in Geography and a Master’s Degree in Reading from the University of Guam. While an expert in literacy and individualized special education instruction, CJ is an enthusiastic newcomer to the formal STEM space. As a DOD STEM Ambassador, she is focused on professional growth and finding innovative, hands-on ways to integrate STEM concepts into special education.
By bridging the gap between specialized instruction and scientific exploration, CJ aims to empower Guam’s students to explore the world around them through a lens of curiosity and discovery, regardless of their starting point.
DoW STEM Ambassador
2025-2026
Pam Joslyn
Middle School Science Teacher
Iowa
Pam Joslyn is a dynamic STEM educator and innovative advocate with over 33 years of teaching experience, currently inspiring 7th and 8th grade students at Susan Clark Junior High School in Muscatine, Iowa, where she has developed signature programs like “Reinvent Muscatine” by connecting students to authentic civic problem-solving through data, prototyping, and pitches to municipal leaders. A 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award winner, Fulbright Distinguished Teaching Fellow, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, and DoD STEM Ambassador with the Office of Naval Research, Pam has led STEM outreach nationwide, presented at NSTA, AMLE, and InventEd conferences, and secured over $60,000 in grants to bring cutting-edge learning experiences to her students. Pam empowers students to protect their community by creating cybersecurity education videos tailored for audiences spanning from young children to seniors, giving students a real-world platform to apply their knowledge and serve others. Holding a B.S. in Genetics from Iowa State, an M.S. in Science Education from Montana State, and currently pursuing her Ph.D. in STEM Education at Drake University, Pam brings a researcher’s rigor and an innovator’s heart to everything she does, transforming students from technology consumers into creators, thinkers, and community changemakers.
DoW STEM Ambassador
2025-2026
Blake Greisinger
High School Engineering Teacher
Washington
Blake Greisinger has been teaching CTE Engineering and Manufacturing courses for 18 years, 14 of which have been at his current position at Bremerton High School in Bremerton Washington. His desire is to show students they are capable of designing and building “real things” to solve “real problems” by incorporating both traditional shopcraft and state of the art technology into his courses. Students in his classes undertake a wide variety of projects; in one class period students might be found using CFD Software to analyze fluid flow over a custom propeller design and in the next students can be found using traditional block planes to carefully shape the hull of a hand built wooden canoe. In addition he is the head coach of the Bremerton High School FIRST Robotics Team and is a Certified SolidWorks instructor. Blake has a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a masters in Career and Technical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
“I love to help my students connect the theoretical with the real. Taking ideas and plans which might only exist on paper or in the mind and connect them with the skills and opportunities to realize them, whether it be a design for a robot or an intention to enter into a machinist apprenticeship at the Navy shipyard.”
DoW STEM Ambassador
2024-2025
Julio Avasan
High School Engineering Teacher
Calfornia
Julio is a math and engineering teacher at Olympian High School in San Diego, California. His passion is teaching mathematics to students who, at times, have not been given the opportunity to conceptualize and truly experience its meaning and beauty. Julio seeks to include engineering ideas when teaching mathematical concepts to encourage students to develop a STEM identity. He particularly enjoys working with multilingual learners to help them grow as future professionals while learning English as a second or even a third language. Julio holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from San Diego State University, and a master’s degree in STEM education from the University of San Diego.
“Teaching is an incredible profession because we get to work with talented kids who learn to explore the beauty of mathematics through problem-solving, hands-on activities, research, and real-life applications.”
DoW STEM Ambassador
2023-2024
Dr. Crystal Ricks
Advanced Learning Coordinator
Maryland
Dr. Crystal Ricks is the coordinator of advanced learning for Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland. She has also served as and elementary school teacher, K-8 instructional coach, and inclusive programming specialist. Crystal has extensive experience with school improvement plans, curriculum design, instructional coaching, and curriculum and instruction. She has also led external reviews in multiple states with AdvancED (Cognia). Crystal holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood and special education and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. She is certified in administration and gifted and talented education.
“I believe in providing equitable access and opportunities to each student. When barriers exist, educators have a moral imperative to advocate for the diverse needs of our future leaders while pushing for equal access to STEM. As Shirley Chisholm said: ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.’”
DoW STEM Ambassador
2022-2023
