Meet the Amazing Educators that make STEAM! Possible
Jessamyn Miller (she/her/hers)- Founder, Artistic Director, STEAM! Junior Director STEAM! Camp started as a dream to combine the worlds of STEM and Arts in the summer of 2015. STEAM has grown into an incredibly popular summer camp that provides a space for all types of students to build community and create. Mrs. Miller attended The University of Northern Colorado for her BA in Theatre Education and Acting, and again for her MA in Theatre Education. She worked as a theatre teacher at Sky Vista Middle School for eleven years and is currently a theatre teacher at Eaglecrest High School, alongside Mr. Eric Eidson. Mrs. Miller loves all things theatre including directing, Shakespearean theatre, film production, and deep dives into the art of acting.
Caroline Kerswill (she/her/hers)- STEAM! Musical Director Ms. Kerswill has been a part of the STEAM! Camp dream team since 2018, and looks forward to singing and dancing with the campers every summer! She is currently a school counselor at the Denver Center for International Studies in DPS and co-directs the DCIS Drama Club. Ms. Kerswill was grad school roomies with Ms. Miller at UNC when they were pursuing their MA in Theater Education. She serves as the Workshop Coordinator for Colorado Thespians Board and loves seeing theatre, celebrating diverse forms of performance and being a part of the awesome STEAM! community.
Lauren Inman (she/her/hers)- STEM Coordinator Lauren Inman has been the STEM Director of STEAM! camp since 2017. She spent eleven years in education: four years as a high school science teacher, seven years designing and instructing STEM courses for grades 6-8. Now, Mrs. Inman currently works at H.E.R.S. (Higher Education Resource Services). She received her M.Ed: STEM Curriculum and Instruction from Adams State University and her B.S in Biology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She also completed a NASA Endeavor fellowship from Columbia University Teacher’s College. She currently holds a professional Colorado Career and Technical Education certification and has experience teaching woodshop, programmable hardware and robotics. Lauren will be creating and implementing STEM activities throughout camp.
Eric Eidson (he/him/his)- STEAM! Central Director Eric Eidson teaches theatre at Eaglecrest High School alongside the esteemed Mrs. Jessamyn Miller. Before teaching at Eaglecrest, Eric taught theatre at Texas Tech University and Overland High School. Mr. Eidson attended UNC where he received a B.A. in Theatre Education and Acting. Additionally, he earned an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University - Portland, an M.F.A in Playwriting from Hollins University, and he is currently working on his Ph.D. at Texas Tech University. Eric is thrilled to be a part of the STEAM! Camp team. He loves Pokemon, tacos, and frisbee!
Jennifer Patten (she/her/hers)- STEAM! Kids Director Jennie has worked for over 20 years as a professional children's theatre teacher and director throughout the metro area. She graduated with a BA in theater from the University of Northern Colorado. She also has an extensive background in costuming and is currently the costume coach at Vista Peak Prep in APS. She looks forward to working with our youngest campers as they jump into this crazy world of performing! When she isn't busy working, Jennie loves to catch performances by her children who are STEAM! alums themselves!
Charlie Tunnell (they/them/theirs)- STEAM! Technical Director Teacher Charlie has been with STEAM! Camp since 2024 and they are so excited to be back! During the school year, they are the drama teacher at DCIS Baker with 6-12th grade students. They can be found going to concerts, doing craft projects, and playing board games when they aren’t at rehearsal. Charlie does all things tech for both STEAM! Central and STEAM! Junior, and promises to use even more pool noodles on stage than the year before, even when it seems impossible.
Ian de Gala (he/him/his)- STEAM! Assistant Technical Director Ian de Gala teaches orchestra and mariachi and is the Theatre Co-Manager at Eaglecrest High School, where he has been in various roles since time immemorial. He attended Metropolitan State University for his BME in Music Education and studied the viola under Phillip Stevens. Mr. de Gala’s true passion is teaching and working with any and all students, which is how he found himself volunteering as “Theatre Uncle” to EHS’ Thespian Troupe #4999 for Mrs. Miller and Mr. Eidson. He loves Diet Dr. Pepper, stationary, and his 24 ukuleles.
Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman (she/her/hers)- Featured Choreographer, Owner of KASH Dance & Choreography Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer with over 25 years of dance training and 13 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company and KASH Dance & Choreography. Kayleigh made her choreographic Broadway debut in June 2022 with her work being featured in the Arts For Autism Broadway Cabaret Production in New York City. In just six years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh has choreographed over 450+ dances and 45+ musicals across the Midwest portion of the US including her choreographed work being featured in over 7 states including. Kayleigh currently operates four branches located in two states, Nebraska and Colorado, along with her full-service Online Dance Studio. Kayleigh is most proud and humbled to have the opportunity every day to put on her dancing shoes alongside individuals of all ages, dance backgrounds, and skill levels to enjoy the wonderful art of dance.
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