The Knowles Fellowship was, and continues to be, a constant reminder that educators are valuable and that we must continue to support excellence in teachers and schools. STEM education is a lifelong passion of mine, and the Knowles Fellowship fuels this forever-flame.”
Carlee’s Story
Carlee is a Senior Fellow (2011 Cohort) who works as a curriculum developer for Desmos Amplify, a problem-based math curriculum utilized in classrooms across the USA. She collaborates with a team to celebrate student thinking by tapping into students’ natural curiosity and creating opportunities for joy in learning mathematics.
Carlee earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics with a secondary education emphasis from Grand Valley State University. Upon graduation, she received both the Outstanding Math Department Senior Award and the Knowles Teacher Initiative Fellowship. She holds a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Western Michigan University, with coursework focused on equitable and accessible instruction.
A high school teacher for six years at High Tech High in North County San Diego, an untracked project-based environment, Carlee devoted herself to inspiring students to become civic leaders through real-world, authentic learning experiences. As a Senior Fellow, she has led and supported efforts in sustainable teacher inquiry and professional learning, including her work with Knowles’ Project ASCENT and co-developing a Knowles Academy course on Project-Based Learning.
In a statewide role with the MiSTEM Network, Carlee advanced strategies to connect project-, problem-, and place-based learning with community partnerships, promoting progressive education through systems-level approaches. As Co-founder of ProgressED Pathways LLC, she leverages her passion and experiences to advocate for deep learning for both students and educators. Her expertise includes STEM education, strategic planning, continuous improvement, coaching centered on educator inquiry, and fostering collaborative learning spaces.
Carlee resides in Flint, Michigan, with her husband and their two young children, aged 1 and 3. When not working to enhance education, she enjoys hiking, visiting National Parks, and attending baseball games.
Knowles Academy Courses Taught
PBL: Project-Based Learning for Rigorous Math & Science Instruction