Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Space Foundation’s international award-winning education team is comprised of professional educators, experienced museum curators and sales and logistics professionals who are passionate about supporting our mission. At Space Foundation Discovery Center, we strive to bring the excitement and passion of space to the community through interactive exhibits, as well as programs that stir the imagination to bring space down to Earth. Through our education programs we inspire students on field trips, enable teachers through professional development and propel the community by engaging them in our outreach programs.

Dr. John West
Senior Vice President, Center for Innovation and Education
Dr. John West, Senior Vice President, Center for Innovation and Education (CI&E) is responsible for the development and execution of innovative K-12 and adult business programming that inspires and informs the next generation of space leaders. John has greatly expanded Space Foundation’s impact by consistently fostering local, national, and international…

Robert Gagnon
Director, Education
Robert “Bobby” Gagnon serves as the Director of Education for Space Foundation. As Director, Bobby is responsible for all educational programming. Prior to this role, Gagnon was a Senior Instructor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) for ten years. Bobby developed and taught within UCCSTeach, a preservice licensure…

Rachel English
Director — Space Foundation Discovery Center
Rachel English is the Director of Space Foundation Discovery Center, an interactive museum and science center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As Space Foundation Discovery Center Director, Rachel is responsible for directing the Discovery Center’s staff and volunteer corps in developing and facilitating the center’s exhibits, field trips, public programming, and…

Lisa Bell
Director — Sales & Strategic Partnerships, Center for Innovation and Education
Lisa Bell is a seasoned professional and visionary leader currently holding the position of Director-Sales & Strategic Partnerships at the Space Foundation's Center for Innovation and Education (CI&E). In this critical role, Lisa spearheads the direction, management, and support of sales and program development for STEM, space, and workforce initiatives.…

Alex Grab
Education Program Manager
Meet Alex Grab, a visionary force driving the fusion of STEM and entrepreneurship within the Space Foundation Leadership Academy. As a seasoned Education Program Manager, she leads the design and orchestration of innovative programs that seamlessly meld STEM principles with entrepreneurial spirit. At the heart of Alex's mission lies the…

Terry Bramschreiber
Education Program Manager
Terry Bramschreiber, or “Dr. Bram,” overlooks Discover the Universe field trips, Expeditions, and other Space Foundation Discovery Center programming. He joined the Space Foundation in 2021, and has been active as a Teacher Liaison since 2006. Dr. Bram spent 27 years in public education as a science teacher, coach, mentor…

Jennie Anderson
Education Program Manager
Jennie Anderson implements and facilitates a range of the Space Foundation’s formal space-inspired STEM educational and teacher programs, in particular leading the International Teacher Liaison Program. She loves working with Space Foundation’s Teacher Liaisons, who serve as an active link between Space Foundation, their schools, and their communities. Before working…

Nylah Rampersad
Education Program Manager
Nylah Rampersad is responsible for the development and implementation of Space Foundation’s education outreach and community engagement programs including Space in the Community, Audience with an Astronaut, student participation at Space Symposium, as well as supporting Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to…

Aimee Valliere
Discovery Center Educator
Aimee Valliere is responsible for developing and implementing various Discovery Center STEM programs including Homeschool Days, Discover the Universe field trips, and the spring and summer Explore Space Experience weeklong adventures. Prior to her work at the Discovery Center, Aimee spent four years as an educator at Space Camp at…

Andy Rizzo
Discovery Center Educator
Andy Rizzo joined the Discovery Center team at the end of 2022. He is a part of the team that runs the Discover the Universe field trip programs during the school year, and the Explore Space Experiences during the summer months. After studying History and Museum Management at the University…

Chloe Ellis
Discovery Center Educator
Chloe Ellis is responsible for developing and implementing various Discovery Center STEAM programs, including Small Steps Giant Leap, Discover the Universe field trips, and the spring and summer Explore Space Experience weeklong adventures. Prior to her work at Space Foundation, Chloe attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell where she received…

Amanda Barringer
Space Education Specialist
Amanda Barringer is responsible for a range of Space Foundation educational programs that support science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) for Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to working at the Space Foundation Amanda…

Aaron Bailey
Space Education Specialist
Aaron Bailey is an educator with a background in Astronomy and Physics and writes lessons and designs interactive STEM curricula for many Space Foundation programs. He joined the team in September of 2021. He is responsible for the Family Star Party and is an active member of the Colorado Springs…

Rachel Johnson
Space Education Specialist
Rachel Johnson is responsible for a range of Space Foundation educational programs that support science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) for the Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to working at the Space Foundation,…

Elizabeth Gondek
Space Education Specialist
Elizabeth Gondek is responsible for a range of Space Foundation educational programs that support science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) for the Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to working at the Space Foundation…

Emily Gomez
Space Education Specialist
Emily Gomez is responsible for a range of Space Foundation educational programs that support science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) for the Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to working at the Space Foundation,…

Michelle Mohrweis
Space Education Specialist
Michelle Mohrweis is responsible for a range of Space Foundation educational programs that support science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) for the Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families. Prior to working at Space Foundation, Michelle…

Essiance Chandler
Administrative Assistant for Education
Essiance Chandler is responsible for providing support to all educational programming through calendar bookings, communications, and varies administrative tasks. She is a Colorado native from Manitou Springs. Prior to working at the Space Foundation, Essiance worked in a Montessori Preschool for 4 years and in that time earned a certification…

Kris Winchell
Sales Support Coordinator
Kris Winchell is responsible for overseeing the Space Foundation Discovery Center field trip and educational program reservations, as well as providing support for facility and event bookings. She also manages the scholarship opportunities with the Space Foundation for schools throughout Colorado and nationwide. In working with the Discovery Center team,…
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For further information, call the Space Foundation at 719.576.8000 or 800.691.4000