Teachers

Nikki Kolb is a teacher and FLL Robotics coach at Riverside Elementary in Grants Pass. She’s a graduate of the University of Idaho and currently a grad student at Western Governors University in Learning Technology.

When Bob Eckstein is not acting or trying to sing above baritone, he works on technical documentation for Oracle, occasionally teaches programming and robotics at Sherwood schools, and serves as a local scout leader.

Chris O’Brien has taught science and computer science at the middle school level for 13 years. He has coached FIRST(™) Lego League robotics teams, and served as an advisor for MESA engineering clubs.

Gretchen Raynak is an Oregon native, and an interactive designer and coding educator based in Bend, OR. She runs elementary-focused coding camps and after-school sessions for 2nd – 7th graders.

Jan Boley has her Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, and worked for the State of Oregon for over 8 years. Leaving the public sector, she returned to school to earn her Masters of Arts in Teaching, and has taught high school for the last 12 years in Oregon.

Ryan is a software engineer and business analyst with over 20 years of experience in enterprise application development, website development and mobile app development.

Tisha is a passionate culinary arts teacher that loves bringing food and technology together to inspire students to learn in new ways.

JP Newman believes that appropriate use of technology can help everyone be a hero. He is committed to the joint concepts that technology enhances excellent instruction and that everyone can find success, given adequate instruction and support.

Gary Laipply will share some of his experiences from five years of managing 30 iPads in his 6th-grade Social Studies classroom at Talent Middle School.

Arian Kulp is a software developer with a passion for bringing STEAM to schools through game design. Arian is the director of the Oregon Game Project Challenge and has brought technology clubs to several schools.