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 and 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, and nearly a minor in Economics 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.

Nathan T. Clinton |Special Education, Art, Language Arts Teacher

nathan.clinton@armadillotech.org

“All my heroes are literally, writers.”

Henry Rollins

Education:
Master’s in Teacher, Southern Oregon University

BA in Fine Arts, Indiana University

Subjects Taught:
Visual Arts, Computer Programming & Language Arts

Teaching Experience:
Educator since 2011

Why did I become a teacher?
I became a teacher because of my passion for helping not just students, but people succeed at their desires.