The USEA Executive Board is the governing body of USEA and is responsible for establishing policy and setting direction for the association. It meets three times per year (face-to-face and via web conference). The board consists of the president, vice president, past president, secretary-treasurer, and three members-at-large. At least one member of the board should be a UTeach Master Teacher, and at least one member should be an alumnus of a UTeach program.
Executive Board, 2025–2026
Dr. Kristen Apraiz, President
Clinical Associate Professor, UFTeach, University of Florida
Dr. Kristen Apraiz is a Clinical Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Director of UFTeach at the University of Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, and both her M.S. and B.S. in Mathematics Education from Florida State University. Her commitment to the USEA network shines through her leadership in strengthening STEM teacher preparation and her dedication to expanding high-quality field experiences for preservice teachers.
Dr. Apraiz’s background as a middle and high school mathematics teacher has informed her research and teacher preparation philosophy, empowering beginning teachers to create caring, student-centered classrooms. Her research focuses on authentic fieldwork, reflective pedagogy, and the effective integration of technology in secondary mathematics education.
Dr. Apraiz has been a consistent force for improvement, collaboration, and excellence within the UTeach community, serving on multiple committees and initiatives planning engagement activities and events for UTeach students. She continues to strengthen collaboration and innovation across the UTeach network, advancing a shared vision for high-quality, inquiry-driven STEM teacher preparation.
Dr. Abria Harris, Immediate Past President
Assistant Clinical Professor/Master Teacher, FSU-Teach, Florida State University
Dr. Abria Harris is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Mathematics Master Teacher for the FSU-Teach program at Florida State University, where he supports the preparation of future STEM educators through coursework, mentorship, and field-based learning. He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Nova Southeastern University, his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University, and his B.S. in Mathematics and Mathematics Teaching from Florida State University.
Before joining FSU-Teach in 2021, Dr. Harris taught middle school mathematics and served as a district mathematics instructional specialist for Gadsden County Schools. His instructional and research interests include developing STEM teacher leaders, ensuring a sense of belonging in STEM classrooms, and strengthening preservice preparation through Apprentice Teaching and early fieldwork.
Dr. Harris has offered important perspective to USEA through his focus on rural teacher recruitment and retention, helping elevate conversations around STEM workforce needs in underserved communities.
Madison Staton, Vice President/President-Elect
Science Teacher, Butler County High School, Morgantown, Kentucky
Madison Staton teaches environmental science, biology, forensics, anatomy and physiology, and integrated science at Butler County High School in Morgantown, Kentucky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle School Science Education through the SKyTeach program at Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Educational Technology from Purdue University. Her teaching focuses on helping students build confidence in science through inquiry, hands-on experiences, and real-world connections.
Ms. Staton’s commitment to community-based education has led her to become a STEM leader in her school district. She helps plan and facilitate activities for her district’s STEAM Bus, partnering with local organizations to increase opportunities for students to explore STEM pathways. She also teaches Astronomy for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program, where she has engaged high school students in authentic scientific inquiry for five years.
As further proof of her commitment to advancing science education across Kentucky, Ms. Staton was chosen as the Kentucky Science Teachers Association's President-elect. Her dedication to ongoing learning and professional development makes her an invaluable addition to the UTeach network and the larger STEM community.
Dr. Alexander Eden, Secretary/Treasurer
Assistant Professor, Salem State University
Dr. Alexander Eden is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Salem State University, where he teaches undergraduate biology and conducts research in science education. He earned a B.S. in Biology with a UTeach STEM Teaching minor and went on to earn an M.S. in Biology with a concentration in Education, Communication, and Outreach, both from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He later completed his Ph.D. in Biology Education at Florida International University, where he focused his research on inquiry-driven learning environments that position students as active participants in science.
Dr. Eden has been a steadfast influence on the USEA community since his graduation from UTeach. In addition to delivering a presentation at the 2024 UTeach STEM Educators Conference, he has been a part of countless groups and committees working to influence the future of USEA. Outside of UTeach, Dr. Eden participates in groundbreaking research and regularly publishes and presents across biology education research (BER), the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), and science communication. He is a champion for communication in his classroom, designing courses that place him in a facilitator role, encouraging students to ask deeper questions, form meaningful connections, and view science as part of their own narratives.
Dr. Eden contributes a valuable perspective on the power of affirming, narrative-rich instruction to create engagement in the STEM classroom. His continued work with USEA proves his dedication to preparing educators who help students see themselves as “scientists and storytellers of discovery.”
Kira Lowery, Member-at-Large
Science Teacher, Johnson High School, Buda, Texas
Kira Lowery teaches biology and chemistry at Johnson High School in Hays CISD. She earned her B.S. in Biology and certification in Secondary Composite Science from The University of Texas at Austin through the UTeach program and later completed a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with certification in STEM Education from Texas A&M University. Her teaching emphasizes student agency and authentic engagement in science.
Ms. Lowery actively integrates making and design into her instruction. After completing a micro-credential in maker education with UTeach Maker, she launched the first classroom makerspace at NYOS Charter School and later served as a UTeach Maker Mentor, supporting preservice teachers in developing creativity-centered learning environments. She has co-authored multiple educational publications to help other teachers adopt hands-on, student-driven approaches aligned with maker education principles.
Ms. Lowery remains closely connected to UTeach as a cooperating teacher and supporter of future STEM educators. She received the 2020 USEA Outstanding Alumnus Award, recognizing her leadership in designing learning experiences that cultivate curiosity and confidence in science. She continues to advocate for instructional practices that empower students to explore, innovate, and see themselves as engineers and scientists
Dr. Jacqueline Ekeoba, Member-at-Large, Alumni Representative
Clinical Assistant Professor/Master Teacher, teachHOUSTON, University of Houston
Dr. Jacqueline Ekeoba is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Master Teacher for the teachHOUSTON program at the University of Houston. An alumna of the University of Houston and a member of the inaugural teachHOUSTON cohort, she earned her M.A. in STEM Education and Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and her Ph.D. in STEM Education from Texas Tech University. She specializes in argumentation, global collaboration and STEM integration in secondary STEM contexts.
Dr. Ekeoba began her career teaching high school science before serving as an instructional coach and curriculum writer in Katy ISD, where she led the development of inquiry-based and hybrid instructional resources. She returned to UH in 2019 to mentor preservice teachers and support in-service teacher professional learning. She co-designed a teachHOUSTON STEM alternative certification program and plays key roles on grant-funded initiatives, including STEM RISE and Houston Genetics BIORETS. Her outreach work includes directing the teachHOUSTON STEM Interactive Program, which connected thousands of students worldwide with virtual STEM learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Ekeoba is actively engaged in service across the UTeach community, contributing to committees focused on alumni support, leadership development, strategic planning, and the UTeach STEM Educators Conference. Her professional achievements have been recognized through honors including Outstanding Teacher in Katy ISD and a UH Teaching Excellence Group Award.
Kimberly Hughes, Ex-Officio
Director, UTeach Institute
