STEM Forward

Antonio Ellis

Track 3 Facilitator

Antonio Ellis is a nationally recognized STEM and AI educator with 17 years of experience empowering students, educators, and communities through innovative, equity-driven learning. Born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, Antonio currently serves as the STEM Lead Teacher at Michelle Obama STEM Elementary Academy and is the founder of ITEACH Educational Consultants, where he partners with schools and organizations to deliver cutting-edge STEM and AI experiences. A pioneer in K–12 AI literacy, Antonio designs professional development, develops age-appropriate AI curricula, and advises districts on safe and effective AI integration. As a Track 3 facilitator, he brings deep expertise in community-based STEM engagement, hosting a free summer STEM camp for K–8 students and serving nationally as the Science Education Innovation Advisor for the National Engineering League. His work has earned numerous honors, including 2023 Science ATL Teacher of the Year and 2024 Boxlight STEM Educator of the Year, reflecting his ongoing commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Antonio Semeco

Track 3 Facilitator

Antonio Semeco is a longtime STEM professional and volunteer with Science ATL who brings decades of experience—and curiosity—to the STEM Forward community. After coming to the United States in 1978 to pursue a postgraduate degree at Georgia Tech, Antonio built a career as a software engineer working primarily on scientific and engineering applications. Since retiring in 2021, he has embraced STEM outreach with renewed purpose, beginning his volunteer work in 2023. As a Track 3 facilitator, Antonio is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for STEM and showing students what is possible through education, persistence, and hard work. He often jokes that Science ATL “saved him from retirement,” giving new meaning to his time and allowing him to continue learning, mentoring, and contributing to the next generation.

Jason Raines

Track 2 Facilitator

Jason Raines is an educational consultant and STEM innovator dedicated to helping schools build strong, sustainable pathways toward STEM certification and community partnership. With extensive experience supporting K–12 districts across Georgia, Jason has guided schools through GaDOE, Cognia, and district STEM certification processes by centering student leadership, teacher capacity-building, and authentic project-based learning. As a Track 2 facilitator for STEM Forward, Jason supports schools in planning, documenting, and implementing high-impact STEM initiatives that meet certification standards while strengthening connections with STEM professionals and industry partners. He believes that certification is most powerful when it serves as a catalyst for lasting change—opening doors for students to real-world problem solving, mentorship, and career exploration.

Greg Crafter

Track 2 Facilitator

Greg Crafter is the founder and CEO of Produce’d, a Black-owned hydroponics company based in Atlanta that blends engineering, innovation, and community impact. With a background in electrical engineering and more than eight years of hands-on hydroponics experience, Greg focuses on expanding food access through indoor farming technology and STEM education. He is the creator of Produce’d GrowBlocks, a scalable solution that helps families and schools grow fresh food year-round while learning core STEM concepts. As a Track 2 facilitator, Greg supports schools pursuing STEM certification by helping them integrate real-world engineering challenges, sustainability, and community partnerships into their STEM programs—bringing learning to life in tangible, impactful ways.

Ashley Nylin

Track 1 Facilitator

Ashley Shaver Nylin, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of The Whittaker Group, a strategic consulting firm focused on CTAE and STEM education. With more than 15 years of experience in coaching, instructional design, data analysis, and project management, Ashley supports schools and organizations in designing intentional, high-quality STEM programs from the ground up. An Atlanta native, her connection to STEM runs deep—she grew up visiting Fernbank Science Center, where her curiosity was first sparked. As a Track 1 facilitator, Ashley helps schools turn ideas into structured, sustainable STEM programs, blending strategic planning with a practitioner’s mindset. Outside of work, she balances professional life with marathon training—often while chasing after her toddler.

Eric Knapp

Track 1 Facilitator

Eric Knapp is an education consultant and workforce development leader specializing in engineering education, real-world learning, and industry-aligned STEM programming. He currently serves as Workforce Development Manager at Team Rubicon and is the founder of Education Enhanced, where he designs innovative curricula and experiential learning initiatives for K–12 districts and community partners across Georgia. Eric has led districtwide engineering and robotics initiatives, authored state-level teacher support guides for the Georgia Department of Education, and helped launch workforce pipelines in construction, manufacturing, and resilient trades. As a Track 1 facilitator, he supports schools in building strong STEM programs that connect classroom learning to real career pathways, empowering both students and teachers through authentic, hands-on experiences.