Faculty and Leadership
Ryan Heitz, Founder and Head of School, Engineering
Ryan’s career has spanned a range of fields, including environmental science, computer programming, Geographical Information Systems and education. A Northern Virginia native, Ryan’s interest in science bloomed at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Later, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, Ryan’s environmental science research took him to the eastern shores of Virginia where he tested sediment flows to explore sea level rise. He was interested in a career in teaching, but decided to pursue science first. His graduate research in environmental science led him to Brazil where he built electronic systems from scratch. With the help of a NASA grant, Ryan ran an array of environmental tests with equipment that he built. He pried open Palm pilots, pieced together atmospheric sensors and designed protective housing units. The “Maker” in Ryan was fully born.
After graduate school, Ryan worked and managed GIS projects for more than a decade. He decided he wanted to start ideaventions® with his wife, Juliana, after teaching hands-on science with his son, Daniel, and other homeschooled students. He saw an opportunity to create a place where students had the freedom to really explore science, like he had in high school. “I wanted to create an environment where children could experiment and try different things,” he says. To this day, he still gets incredibly excited about the challenge and thrill of experimental design. “One of my favorite things in the world is designing an experiment,” he says.
Ryan’s career has spanned a range of fields, including environmental science, computer programming, Geographical Information Systems and education. A Northern Virginia native, Ryan’s interest in science bloomed at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Later, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, Ryan’s environmental science research took him to the eastern shores of Virginia where he tested sediment flows to explore sea level rise. He was interested in a career in teaching, but decided to pursue science first. His graduate research in environmental science led him to Brazil where he built electronic systems from scratch. With the help of a NASA grant, Ryan ran an array of environmental tests with equipment that he built. He pried open Palm pilots, pieced together atmospheric sensors and designed protective housing units. The “Maker” in Ryan was fully born.
After graduate school, Ryan worked and managed GIS projects for more than a decade. He decided he wanted to start ideaventions® with his wife, Juliana, after teaching hands-on science with his son, Daniel, and other homeschooled students. He saw an opportunity to create a place where students had the freedom to really explore science, like he had in high school. “I wanted to create an environment where children could experiment and try different things,” he says. To this day, he still gets incredibly excited about the challenge and thrill of experimental design. “One of my favorite things in the world is designing an experiment,” he says.
Dr. Sarah Ciupek, Biology, Chemistry and Neuroscience
Sarah completed her PhD in neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. There, she studied spatial navigation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. She participated in a variety of teaching opportunities while she was there, such as leading breakout groups about medical science for high-school students on Saturday mornings, creating a boot camp for incoming neuroscience students, and leading labs as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate neuroscience course at Rice University. Now, she is excited to be using her science knowledge to teach the next generation at Ideaventions. She is also excited to be back on the East Coast, having grown up in Maryland and attained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Outside of the classroom, Sarah is most likely to be found watching or participating in some form of the musical arts, such as playing the harp or singing a cappella. She also enjoys hanging out at the Smithsonian.
Dr. Sarah's publications include:
Sarah completed her PhD in neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. There, she studied spatial navigation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. She participated in a variety of teaching opportunities while she was there, such as leading breakout groups about medical science for high-school students on Saturday mornings, creating a boot camp for incoming neuroscience students, and leading labs as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate neuroscience course at Rice University. Now, she is excited to be using her science knowledge to teach the next generation at Ideaventions. She is also excited to be back on the East Coast, having grown up in Maryland and attained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Outside of the classroom, Sarah is most likely to be found watching or participating in some form of the musical arts, such as playing the harp or singing a cappella. She also enjoys hanging out at the Smithsonian.
Dr. Sarah's publications include:
- Progressive Functional Impairments of Hippocampal Neurons in a Tauopathy Mouse Model
- Force sensor in simulated skin and neural model mimic tactile SAI afferent spiking response to ramp and hold stimuli
- Skin Relaxation Predicts Neural Firing Rate Adaptation in SAI Touch Receptors
- Axl-/- mice have delayed recovery and prolonged axonal damage following cuprizone toxicity
Kofi Dennis, Music and Creative Drama
Kofi is a drummer, performer, and educator. He earned a degree in Early Childhood Education at the Komenda Teaching College, University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, and a degree in Theater Arts (creative dramatics) from the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. Before moving to the United States in 1995, Kofi taught academics and led performing arts programs at schools, correctional facilities, orphanages, and child-care centers in Ghana. He also starred in radio and stage theaters, television and video productions in Ghana.
In the United States, Kofi has educated and entertained as a drummer, storyteller, singer, and dancer at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Discovery Theater, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Wolf Trap. He has taught creative drama at the Montessori School of Northern Virginia in Annandale for the past 11 years and has been a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist since 1998. He is recognized as a master teacher and presenter of West African Culture. He has worked with World Children’s Choir to lead an African drumming for peace initiative and performs as half of the duo Anansegromma.
Learn more about Kofi at Play for Concepts.
Kofi is a drummer, performer, and educator. He earned a degree in Early Childhood Education at the Komenda Teaching College, University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, and a degree in Theater Arts (creative dramatics) from the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. Before moving to the United States in 1995, Kofi taught academics and led performing arts programs at schools, correctional facilities, orphanages, and child-care centers in Ghana. He also starred in radio and stage theaters, television and video productions in Ghana.
In the United States, Kofi has educated and entertained as a drummer, storyteller, singer, and dancer at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Discovery Theater, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Wolf Trap. He has taught creative drama at the Montessori School of Northern Virginia in Annandale for the past 11 years and has been a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist since 1998. He is recognized as a master teacher and presenter of West African Culture. He has worked with World Children’s Choir to lead an African drumming for peace initiative and performs as half of the duo Anansegromma.
Learn more about Kofi at Play for Concepts.
Emily Linniman, Computer Science
Emily Linniman, a computer scientist and educator, graduated from University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. After graduating, she joined a growing computer science education company in Seattle and worked with children from elementary to high school. Emily supported the development of curriculum and guided students in building their own projects using computational concepts and code. Later, she served as a computer scientist developing web applications to support educational programs. Emily furthered her educational experience by teaching as part of a student learning center where she had the opportunity to help students improve their math and reading skills. Emily is passionate about computer science education and excited to help Ideaventions students master new concepts while showing them how an education can empower them to make the world a better place
Emily Linniman, a computer scientist and educator, graduated from University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. After graduating, she joined a growing computer science education company in Seattle and worked with children from elementary to high school. Emily supported the development of curriculum and guided students in building their own projects using computational concepts and code. Later, she served as a computer scientist developing web applications to support educational programs. Emily furthered her educational experience by teaching as part of a student learning center where she had the opportunity to help students improve their math and reading skills. Emily is passionate about computer science education and excited to help Ideaventions students master new concepts while showing them how an education can empower them to make the world a better place
Hugh Gardner, Upper School History
Hugh Gardner, a former military intelligence analyst, has been teaching history for over 20 years primarily to home-schooled and gifted students. Hugh is known for his dynamic and interactive lectures. Through his love of continual learning and discovery, extensive bibliographies, superior replica, reproduction and authentic period weapons, accoutrements, and artifacts, as well as posters, maps, music, artwork and historical games, Hugh brings history to life.
Hugh Gardner, a former military intelligence analyst, has been teaching history for over 20 years primarily to home-schooled and gifted students. Hugh is known for his dynamic and interactive lectures. Through his love of continual learning and discovery, extensive bibliographies, superior replica, reproduction and authentic period weapons, accoutrements, and artifacts, as well as posters, maps, music, artwork and historical games, Hugh brings history to life.
Rachel Marrion, Humanities and Physical Education
Rachel has been fortunate enough to travel to many places throughout her life. Born in England, Rachel has spent time living in four different continents: Europe, Australia, North America, and Africa; she now calls Arlington, VA home. Rachel has been working in the education field in some capacity for the past 10 years. She double-majored at Catholic University of America in both Education Studies and Politics. While there, she also played DIII softball and still enjoys a variety of sports today, including coaching softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. She later went on to graduate school at The George Washington University where she received her Masters in Education, with a focus in teaching Social Studies.
After college, Rachel spent almost three years living in Cameroon, West Africa, primarily as a Peace Corps volunteer, and then later, as part of a non-profit organization fighting against mistreatment of young girls and women. It was her experience in Cameroon that developed her passion for teaching her students how to become global citizens. Most recently, she has spent the last couple of years teaching humanities to 6th graders at an independent school in Northern Virginia.
Rachel is an active technology user for both communications and in the classroom. She holds a DC Teaching License.
Rachel has been fortunate enough to travel to many places throughout her life. Born in England, Rachel has spent time living in four different continents: Europe, Australia, North America, and Africa; she now calls Arlington, VA home. Rachel has been working in the education field in some capacity for the past 10 years. She double-majored at Catholic University of America in both Education Studies and Politics. While there, she also played DIII softball and still enjoys a variety of sports today, including coaching softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. She later went on to graduate school at The George Washington University where she received her Masters in Education, with a focus in teaching Social Studies.
After college, Rachel spent almost three years living in Cameroon, West Africa, primarily as a Peace Corps volunteer, and then later, as part of a non-profit organization fighting against mistreatment of young girls and women. It was her experience in Cameroon that developed her passion for teaching her students how to become global citizens. Most recently, she has spent the last couple of years teaching humanities to 6th graders at an independent school in Northern Virginia.
Rachel is an active technology user for both communications and in the classroom. She holds a DC Teaching License.
Erin Seroka, Physics and Upper School Mathematics
Erin joins us from the University of Maryland, where she completed her MS in Physics, working on experimental atomic physics. At the University of Maryland, she has held teaching assistant positions, mentored undergraduate research, tutored in physics and mathematics, and contributed to the Joint Quantum Institute as a science writer. She received her BS in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. She speaks Russian and German and multiple programming languages. Erin brings a depth and love for physics and mathematics to the classroom! Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys contra dancing, cross-stitching, and going for walks in the woods.
Erin's thesis: Partial-transfer absorption imaging of 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates
Erin joins us from the University of Maryland, where she completed her MS in Physics, working on experimental atomic physics. At the University of Maryland, she has held teaching assistant positions, mentored undergraduate research, tutored in physics and mathematics, and contributed to the Joint Quantum Institute as a science writer. She received her BS in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. She speaks Russian and German and multiple programming languages. Erin brings a depth and love for physics and mathematics to the classroom! Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys contra dancing, cross-stitching, and going for walks in the woods.
Erin's thesis: Partial-transfer absorption imaging of 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates
Allan Michaels, Lower School Mathematics
Allan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mary Washington University and has 15 years of math teaching experience at Prince William County Schools. He holds a middle-school math and science teaching license for Virginia. He brings a broad range of teaching experience having taught both gifted students, students with learning differences, as well as single-gender (boys) classes.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Allan was the Vex Robotics design coach and was the chess club sponsor. Known for making his own manipulatives and games, we're thrilled to have him join the team. Most recently, Mr. Allan and his co-teacher won the Virginia Department of Education Excellence in Co-Teaching Demonstrations Site Initiative to mentor, provide resources and materials to other schools, including videos on co-teaching methods.
Allan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mary Washington University and has 15 years of math teaching experience at Prince William County Schools. He holds a middle-school math and science teaching license for Virginia. He brings a broad range of teaching experience having taught both gifted students, students with learning differences, as well as single-gender (boys) classes.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Allan was the Vex Robotics design coach and was the chess club sponsor. Known for making his own manipulatives and games, we're thrilled to have him join the team. Most recently, Mr. Allan and his co-teacher won the Virginia Department of Education Excellence in Co-Teaching Demonstrations Site Initiative to mentor, provide resources and materials to other schools, including videos on co-teaching methods.
Rob Nelson, Fine Arts and Photography
Rob brings over 35 years of teaching experience in art and photography in secondary public schools. Rob holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Science degree in education from West Virginia University. "I have always had a special desire to see beyond the surface, beyond the obvious. I believe that everything contains a point that satisfies the artist's drive to touch and embrace. I enjoy the challenge to make the complex simple, to make opposites compatible, and to see treasures in the common place. I try to instill in my students the desire to become more aware of what they see and to express what they feel when they see."
Rob brings over 35 years of teaching experience in art and photography in secondary public schools. Rob holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Science degree in education from West Virginia University. "I have always had a special desire to see beyond the surface, beyond the obvious. I believe that everything contains a point that satisfies the artist's drive to touch and embrace. I enjoy the challenge to make the complex simple, to make opposites compatible, and to see treasures in the common place. I try to instill in my students the desire to become more aware of what they see and to express what they feel when they see."
Sheri Hicks, School Counselor and Community Teacher
Sheri grew up in the Northern Virginia area and attended Paul VI High School in Fairfax. Her educational journey brought her to North Carolina where she studied dance for several years before returning home where she completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology at George Mason University. Sheri always knew she wanted to work in a school setting and make a difference for children and families. After graduation, Sheri went directly into the counseling program at Marymount University and in 2012 Sheri graduated with her Masters in K - 12 School Counseling. Throughout her successful graduate coursework, Sheri gained an understanding of child and adolescent development and the counseling skills needed to meet their unique individual needs. Sheri strengthened those skills throughout her six years of full time counseling experience with Fairfax County Public Schools. Sheri has been fortunate to work with diverse populations and has particularly enjoyed supporting twice exceptional students. As the specialists team lead and the Reston/Herndon pyramid leader, Sheri believes in the importance of team-work, collaboration, and professional development. Sheri is thrilled to continue her professional journey at Ideaventions Academy and contribute to the climate of success for all children.
Sheri grew up in the Northern Virginia area and attended Paul VI High School in Fairfax. Her educational journey brought her to North Carolina where she studied dance for several years before returning home where she completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology at George Mason University. Sheri always knew she wanted to work in a school setting and make a difference for children and families. After graduation, Sheri went directly into the counseling program at Marymount University and in 2012 Sheri graduated with her Masters in K - 12 School Counseling. Throughout her successful graduate coursework, Sheri gained an understanding of child and adolescent development and the counseling skills needed to meet their unique individual needs. Sheri strengthened those skills throughout her six years of full time counseling experience with Fairfax County Public Schools. Sheri has been fortunate to work with diverse populations and has particularly enjoyed supporting twice exceptional students. As the specialists team lead and the Reston/Herndon pyramid leader, Sheri believes in the importance of team-work, collaboration, and professional development. Sheri is thrilled to continue her professional journey at Ideaventions Academy and contribute to the climate of success for all children.
Anne Sharp, Literature, Upper School English and Journalism
Anne brings over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary public schools, and in independent teaching programs. She's a graduate of The College of William & Mary and currently serves of the Board of Trustees for The College of William & Mary Foundation. Anne is also a member and consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Anne brings excitement to literature and is passionate about giving kids the opportunity to publish their written work.
Anne brings over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary public schools, and in independent teaching programs. She's a graduate of The College of William & Mary and currently serves of the Board of Trustees for The College of William & Mary Foundation. Anne is also a member and consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Anne brings excitement to literature and is passionate about giving kids the opportunity to publish their written work.
Juliana Heitz, Co-Founder, Director of Admissions, Economics and Entrepreneurship
Juliana grew up in Northern Virginia, after moving to the US from Venezuela when she was seven, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she met Ryan (Heitz). After high school, Juliana traveled north to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management. She started in management consulting after graduation and for more than a decade, she was in charge of business operations and project management for major corporations. Her day-to-day work ran the gamut of the business world, including managing multi-million dollar budgets, complying with changing accounting standards and, of course, meeting aggressive system implementation deadlines. But after years of success, Juliana was ready to tackle something new. That new challenge came to her when she couldn’t find innovative science classes that challenged and engaged her gifted, math-science kids. Most parents might go out and buy a microscope or science kit. But Juliana and Ryan knew they could do something more, something that would make an impact in the community, and that grew to be Ideaventions Academy.
Juliana grew up in Northern Virginia, after moving to the US from Venezuela when she was seven, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she met Ryan (Heitz). After high school, Juliana traveled north to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management. She started in management consulting after graduation and for more than a decade, she was in charge of business operations and project management for major corporations. Her day-to-day work ran the gamut of the business world, including managing multi-million dollar budgets, complying with changing accounting standards and, of course, meeting aggressive system implementation deadlines. But after years of success, Juliana was ready to tackle something new. That new challenge came to her when she couldn’t find innovative science classes that challenged and engaged her gifted, math-science kids. Most parents might go out and buy a microscope or science kit. But Juliana and Ryan knew they could do something more, something that would make an impact in the community, and that grew to be Ideaventions Academy.
