Our Staff - Armadillo Technical Institute

Summer Brandon | Executive Director

summer.brandon@armadillotech.org

“I don’t know but I’ve been told, you never slow down, you never get grow old.”

-Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers

Education:

Portland State University: Bachelors of Science – Integrated Science, Minor in geology

Western New Mexico University: Masters of Arts in Teaching

Subjects Taught:

High School Integrated Science, Middle School Science

Teaching Experience:

2005-2010 – 4th-9th grade science and all subjects, New Mexico

2011-2012 – Science Methods, Arizona State University – Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

2012-2016 – Informal Science & Technology, Inquiry Exploration, ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum

2016 – 2017 – Middle & High School Science, ATI

Present – Executive Director, ATI

Why did I become a teacher?

It’s the best thing I can do with my days, and it’s a hoot! I started teaching when I was 14 years old as a Student Leader at Outdoor School in Portland, OR and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Kim De Costa | Financial Director, Co-Founder

kim.decosta@armadillotech.org

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela

Education:
Master’s degree in Career Development, Department of Management, John F. Kennedy University
BFA in Art Therapy, California College of Art
AA in Graphic Design, City College San Francisco

Subjects Taught:
Career Development, Personal Finance, Graphic Design, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Strategic games, and Physical Education

Teaching Experience:
Educator, counseling and program administration since 1994.

Why did I become a teacher?
I became a teacher because I enjoy helping people discover the power of knowledge.

Jen Brinson | Assistant Director/Teacher

jennifer.brinson@armadillotech.org

“If you don’t eat yer meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?”
– Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.

Education:
Minor, Women’s Studies, BS Sociology Southern Oregon University 2002
MAT Southern Oregon University 2008

Subjects Taught:
Oregon: Middle School Multiple Subjects, HS Language Arts and Social Studies.

Teaching Experience:
2008 to present in Oregon and Idaho.

Why did I become a teacher?
I was exposed to teaching as a high school student when I volunteered to teach sixth grade students science for Multnomah County Outdoor School and loved it. It’s been my focus ever since.

Quin Haldane | Business, Social Studies Teacher

quin.haldane@armadillotech.org

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” -Franklin D. Roosevlet

Education:

High School: Ashland High School class of 1993

Bachelors Degree: Dual major in History, Political Science from Southern Oregon University

Masters: MAT from Southern Oregon University

Teaching Experience:

Highly Qualified in Social Studies, Language Arts, Marketing (CTE), Finance (CTE), and Construction Technologies (CTE).

Why Did I became a teacher?

Having owned my own construction company for ten years and having worked in the field for over 16 I found that I taught people the skills required for the industry for a long time, and that I was good at it. When my son started playing football in third grade I started coaching his teams and found that I really liked working with kids and teaching them new things. In 2008 I decided to go back to school and finish my degree to work towards changing my career to education. I love teaching and believe that having worked in the private field I have a good understanding of what students need to not just be successful in school but to also be successful in their professional lives after they graduate.

Will Shapiro | Mathematics Teacher

will.shapiro@armadillotech.org

541-708-1456.

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Masters of Arts in Teaching – Southern Oregon University

Subjects Taught:

Mathematics and Life

Teaching Experience:

Two years teaching Algebra and Geometry at Rogue River High School

Why did I become a teacher?

I became a teacher to help young people to learn how to think critically and to prepare themselves for life when they are done with school.

Angelica Marbain | Science

angelica.marbain@armadillotech.org

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

-Albert Einstein

Education:

B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA- M.A. in Education at Brooklyn College, Brooklyn NY

Subjects Taught:

Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science

Teaching Experience:

6/7th grade science, Brooklyn NY 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th grade sciences in East Palo Alto CA

Why did I become a teacher?

I became a teacher to share my love of science and the outdoors. I love working with people and am constantly learning new things in the field of science.

Reynard Seifert | Language Arts

reynard.seifert@armadillotech.org

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”
-John Dewey

Education:
Minor, Media Studies, BA English Texas State University 2008
MAT Southern Oregon University 2017

Subjects Taught:
Language Arts

Teaching Experience:
2008-2014 in California and Texas

Why did I become a teacher?
I love learning. As a teacher, I get to learn every day! How cool is that?

Kaitlyn Adams | Administrative Assistant/Registrar

office@armadillotech.org

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

– Winnie the Pooh

Education:

Depth of Study, Child Development, BA Liberal Studies Elementary Education Humboldt State University 2016

Summer Brandon | Executive Director

summer.brandon@armadillotech.org

Kim De Costa | Financial Director, Co-Founder

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Jen Brinson | Assistant Director/Teacher

“If you don’t eat yer meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?” – Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.

Quin Haldane | Business, Social Studies Teacher

Will Shapiro | Mathematics Teacher

Angelica Marbain | Science

Reynard Seifert | Language Arts

Kaitlyn Adams | Administrative Assistant/Registrar

's cover photo

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela

“If you don’t eat yer meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?”
– Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.