Staff Members
Staff Members
Carla Castegnaro
Instructor
Hi! I’m Carla, and I am a proud graduate of Virginia Tech’s College of Science. I graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Science, Technology, and Law (Intellectual Property), in addition to spending a summer term studying public health at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. During my time at Virginia Tech, I volunteered for Hokie Wellness to teach health education classes to other college students, and I taught REVIVE! workshops to the campus community through the VA Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. I am passionate about exploring the intersections of education and health, and I would like to build a career based in health-centered community outreach. In addition to my public health based education and outreach experience, I also volunteered as a math and science tutor through various campus organizations. I have always loved learning, but now I realize that I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others just as much as I enjoy gaining it. When I’m not teaching science and engineering at Stemtree, you can find me either in the gym coaching gymnastics or cheering on the Hokies!
Faez Dabestani
Senior Instructor
Hello. My name is Faez Dabestani. I’m planning to finish my Computer Science graduate program at George Mason University by 2018. I earned my undergraduate degree at Mason majoring in Applied Computer Science with a concentration on Game Designing and a minor degree in Art History. While in undergrad, I managed to make the dean’s list 6 semesters in a row, and was brought on to help as a TA for one of my programming classes. One of the best things that happened to me at Mason was that I learned to conquer my fear of public speaking, and now I am confident in front of a crowd. I am familiar with a variety of programming languages, and I have a firm grasp on what goes on in a computer. I have experience with artificial intelligence, crowd simulation and visual computations. It is one of my strongest beliefs that our children have a real chance of being much more informed, and even more intelligent than us. All we must do, is allow them to keep the open minds they are born with, and kindle their curiosity to push the limits of their knowledge. It takes a lot of patience, and a lot of determination, but that is a small price to pay for a shining better future for all of us.
Raadhia Patwary
Tutor
My name is Raadhia Patwary. I am currently pursuing a chemistry degree at George Mason University. I have always had a passion for learning science since I was young. I was fortunate enough to have amazing science teachers who have inspired me to pursue a career involving science. I love working at Stemtree because it gives me the opportunity to teach science to students of all grade levels. I love making science memorable for them with fun and engaging science activities/experiments offered at Stemtree.
