TGR Foundation is excited to welcome 30 educators from across the country to the 2026 – 2027 Department of War (DoW) STEM Ambassador program, the seventh cohort since the program launched. In partnership with DoW STEM and the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC), and managed and facilitated by TGR Foundation since 2021, the program is a yearlong initiative that provides funding, training and support to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and prepare students to enter the future STEM workforce.
Each STEM Ambassador is selected through a rigorous application process by a DSEC organization or by a DoW agency. DSEC is a collaboration between academia, industry, non-profit organizations and government entities aimed at broadening STEM literacy and preparing the next generation STEM workforce. TGR Foundation has been a proud DSEC partner since the consortium’s inception in 2019.
With this cohort, the total number of DoW STEM Ambassadors since the program’s inception in 2020 grows to 168. The 30 educators represent 16 partner organizations from DSEC and DoW STEM across 20 states, from California to New Jersey and Washington to Georgia, and collectively bring more than 450 years of experience in education. They include classroom teachers, STEM program directors, college and career counselors, curriculum and content specialists and school administrators, serving students from elementary through high school as well as postsecondary learners.
Together, they have been recognized with more than 75 individual honors and awards, along with over 40 fellowships, scholarships and professional appointments. Among them are a former Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, National and State Teacher of the Year honorees and Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching participants.
Working within the priorities of the DoW STEM Strategic Plan, this year’s STEM Ambassadors will focus on how to attract and cultivate a strong STEM talent pool and empower communities through a continuum of rich STEM learning experiences. Other priorities of the program include inquiry-based learning in STEM, emerging technologies, and career-connected learning opportunities.
Throughout the program year, which runs from September 2026 through July 2027, STEM Ambassadors will :
- develop and execute Impact projects that expand STEM outreach, access and opportunity for students, with an emphasis on military-connected youth.
- produce a video that shares STEM resources, opportunities and best practices with educators and other stakeholders.
- present at national, state and local STEM and education conferences.
- share DoW STEM and DSEC resources and opportunities with students, families and fellow educators.
- meet monthly as a virtual community of practice to engage in professional development aligned with emerging STEM fields and workforce needs.
- build a program portfolio website that captures their experiences, connections and impact.
TGR Foundation has selected three new STEM Ambassadors to represent the organization in 2026-2027: Stephanie Fenoy Ovadia, Tylyce Lewis and Mia Williams.
Ovadia is a high school science teacher at Baldwin Park High School in Baldwin Park, CA, where she teaches biology and honors biology as well as anatomy and physiology. With more than 27 years of experience in the classroom, she was named the school’s 2019 Teacher of the Year and has been instrumental in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards. Working in a Title I school and district, Ovadia is committed to opening pathways to STEM careers for students.
“As an educator with 28 years in the classroom, my passion for teaching and empowering students through STEM has only grown deeper,” said Ovadia. “I am honored to serve as a DoW STEM Ambassador dedicated to helping students discover their potential and equip them with the critical skills needed to thrive in tomorrow’s STEM careers. I look forward to expanding our network of resources and opportunities to inspire curious minds, foster innovation and shape a brighter future for our entire community.”
Lewis is a math teacher at Louis Armstrong Middle School in Sherman Oaks, CA. Her background includes serving as a MESA Math Coach at Virgil Middle School, as well as a Practice Makes Perfect Teaching Fellow, Breakthrough Teaching Fellow and Aspire Fellow.
“I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and intend to take advantage of every opportunity to network, learn and grow,” said Lewis. “My hope is that these experiences will help me become a better educator and, ultimately, provide greater opportunities for my students.”
Williams is a high school computer science teacher at Mastery Charter Schools in Philadelphia, PA. With eight years of experience teaching computers and technology to students in every grade from K-12, she holds master’s degrees in computer science and early childhood education and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership.
“My love for education and technology has followed me from my childhood playing Oregon Trails into my adulthood as a Computer Science teacher,” said Williams. “I want to take full advantage of this opportunity to encourage and inspire children through the world of STEM especially through Technology.”
In addition to their work as DoW STEM Ambassadors, Ovadia, Lewis and Williams will also support TGR Foundation throughout the year in its mission to empower students to pursue their passions through education. TGR Foundation is proud to support these educators in addition to the entire cohort and looks forward to the impact they will make in classrooms and communities nationwide.
For more information about educator professional learning opportunities, visit TGRFoundation.org. Learn more about the DoW STEM Ambassador Program and other educators in the program at https://dowstem.us/meet/ambassadors/.
