About Dakota STEAM Learning — Bringing STEAM Anywhere

The STEAM Team

Hey! We’re Deanna and Jamie, two teachers turned business owners who wanted to bring a fresh approach to learning. By joining forces, we set out to inspire children’s passion for discovery through immersive, hands-on STEAM adventures. Together, we bring nearly three decades of teaching experience and unique perspectives that have allowed us to create learning environments rich in innovation and empowerment.

Our STEAM Philosophy

STEAM education has a profound impact on children, shaping them not only as learners but as confident, capable individuals. Through hands-on STEAM experiences, kids develop self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth as they discover the vast possibilities of learning. They adopt a growth mindset that empowers them to tackle challenging problems and accomplish tasks they never imagined possible. STEAM nurtures critical problem-solving skills by encouraging constant reflection and adjustment, guiding students to develop action plans and solutions. These abilities extend far beyond the classroom, influencing every aspect of their lives. When embraced from a young age, these skills prepare children to become unstoppable forces who are ready to thrive in any future circumstance.

Our Unique Approach

Unlike many typical STEAM activities, our lessons do not rely on step-by-step instructions or guided directions. Instead, we challenge students to become true innovators and independent problem solvers. Our approach pushes learners beyond mere recreation into creative innovation, where multiple solutions exist and flexible thinking is essential. In an ever-changing world, these foundational STEAM skills enable students to adapt to new situations and complex challenges, ensuring their success regardless of what the future holds. We’re excited to share these lessons and experiences beyond our community and empower others to achieve STEAM success using our resources.

Meet Jamie

Jamie began her teaching career in 2012, initially teaching 5th grade until 2019, when she transitioned to 7th-grade middle school math. She has an immense passion for education and is dedicated to providing rigorous learning opportunities for her students, as she believes all students can tackle challenging tasks. Jamie has actively participated in various professional development activities, collaborating with other teachers and supporting new educators as they enter the classroom.

Throughout her career, Jamie has shared her enthusiasm for education by building professional networks, developing new content, and delving into educational standards and best practices in teaching. Her experience has come to fruition at Dakota STEAM, where the team has developed unique STEAM content to help educators effectively incorporate STEAM into their classrooms while meeting learning standards.

“Initially, I found professional development meetings on STEAM overwhelming. The instructors presented it as an effortless addition to the classroom, but I often faced challenges in integrating it into my curriculum. It felt like I was trying to fit it in randomly. However, partnering with Deanna has been a game-changer! Together, we’ve worked to make STEAM more accessible for kids in our community, and it’s truly inspiring to see how this collaboration has empowered educators to embrace it more confidently. Exciting times lie ahead for all of us!

Meet Deanna

Deanna started her teaching journey in 2012 as a 5th-grade teacher. She went into teaching as a reading and social studies enthusiast, but by the end of her first year, she had quickly become a science lover. She continued to teach 5th grade for several years and loved her classroom community. She never imagined transitioning from an upper-grade teacher.

After her family moved cross-country for her husband’s job, she was offered a position as a 21st-century K-5 specials teacher. That was a fun new challenge, and within a few months, she knew that STEAM was the way to help her students become 21st-century learners. Over the next 5 years, her specials teaching was all about STEAM, and she loved building the program and content from the ground up.

When it was once again time for a life transition, she knew it had to be related to STEAM and that there was so much more she could explore and accomplish to work with more students and help teachers deliver the best version of STEAM in their classrooms and school communities.

“For me, STEAM is all about helping kids become empowered and capable of thriving in any environment. We don’t know what the world will look like in the future, but if our kids can be creative, think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate with others, then I know they can be successful. STEAM is a magical combination of innovation, decision-making, and a growth mindset that is so important for our future.”