Erik Russell
National Science Foundation
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate, Education and Workforce Program
Colorado – Grade 4, Science and Math
Erik C. Russell has served as an elementary school educator, district level Engineering is Elementary Program Coordinator, Engineering is Elementary Program National Field Test Site Coordinator for Colorado and K-12 STEM Education Initiative Program Coordinator for six years with Falcon School District in Colorado Springs, CO. Erik also serves as a Teacher Liaison with the Space Foundation headquartered in Colorado Springs. He has won many competitive grants to enhance STEM Education K-12. Erik has conducted numerous engineering and robotics professional development trainings to encourage Colorado teachers to implement robotics programs at various levels.
Erik is passionate about STEM Education and believes we must introduce these concepts at earlier ages. He is a strong advocate for innovative programs that have proven effective at engaging students in hands-on inquiry based learning.
Erik holds a Master of Education degree specializing in Cross-cultural Teaching, and a B.S. in Criminology with an area of concentration in Law Enforcement. Prior to his career in education, Erik served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department from 1996-2002. Erik sustained a career ending injury and was medically retired from the department. He returned to school to obtain his teaching credential and M.Ed.
Erik found his niche in integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at the elementary level. His constant desire to bring concepts to life in the classroom is achieved through hands-on methods that model real-world application.
As a second-year Einstein Fellow within the Directorate of Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation, Erik brings an incredible work ethic, creativity, and a passion to promote the integration of STEM content areas at the elementary level.