Welcome to the ACE Alumni Spotlight, where we highlight our alumni and share their stories.
Dr. Shane Wines is a seasoned teacher recently selected as a 2025-26 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow among the nation鈥檚 most accomplished STEM educators. He graduated from 番茄视频 (ACE) with an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on computer science education, in 2024. His impressive career spans from teaching high school and college students to now designing naval-relevant STEM education modules and more for the United States Department of Defense. We were thrilled to learn more about his accomplishments and experience at ACE.
ACE: What does being selected as a 2025-26 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow mean to you personally and professionally?聽
Dr. Shane Wines (SW): Being selected as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow is both a personal honor and a professional milestone.
It validates the years of work I’ve invested in making computer science more accessible, engaging and relevant for all students and presents an opportunity to scale the impact of my work, translating classroom and curriculum experiences into national policy and strategic initiatives. I鈥檓 excited to apply my classroom and research experience in a broader context, supporting innovation and outreach as I serve the Department of Defense as part of the Carderock division of the Department of the Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC).
It also represents a chance to grow as a leader while serving as a voice for educators in shaping STEM education at the federal level.
ACE: You’ll be stepping into a federal or congressional role for 11 months. What are you most eager to learn or contribute through this experience?聽
SW: I’m most eager to learn how federal STEM policy, research investments and workforce development initiatives are shaped behind the scenes, particularly in an applied science and defense context. At NSWC Carderock, I hope to contribute my expertise in K-12 computer science education to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world naval engineering. Whether through curriculum design, outreach or student pipeline programs, I aim to support efforts that connect the next generation of learners to cutting-edge naval STEM careers.
ACE: Do you expect aspects of your research 鈥� like gamification or computer science pedagogy 鈥� to inform your fellowship work? How so?聽
SW: Yes, my dissertation on gamification in advanced placement (AP) computer science explored how strategic, engaging design can support instructional quality and student motivation. At Carderock, I see opportunities to apply these insights in designing outreach tools, student experiences and/or interactive simulations that make naval engineering concepts accessible and exciting. My background in computer science pedagogy can help shape learning experiences that align with national standards while promoting creativity, problem-solving and real-world application.
ACE: How do you anticipate bringing insights from the Einstein Fellowship back to Calvert County’s computer science programs?聽
SW: Through this fellowship, I’m gaining firsthand insight into how federal STEM initiatives are developed, funded and implemented, which allows me to better position Calvert County’s computer science programs for long-term growth. I plan to bring back resources, partnerships and instructional strategies rooted in both cutting-edge research and real-world applications. Whether through AI integration, teacher training or student project-based learning, this opportunity will expand what’s possible for our local computer science classrooms.
ACE: How did your experience at ACE benefit your career?聽
SW: My time at ACE equipped me with the tools to connect educational theory with real-world classroom innovation. The program’s focus on instructional technology and research methodology directly informed my dissertation and helped me lead professional development efforts with greater confidence.
ACE prepared me not just to lead in my district, but to translate classroom challenges into scalable, evidence-based solutions at the state and national levels. I will always thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Stephanie Schaefer, and committee member, Dr. Dana Gray.
ACE: Having earned your Ed.D. and researched educational innovation, what advice would you offer other educators considering applications to national-level fellowships or leadership roles?聽
SW: Trust that your classroom experience is valuable and needed, especially in national conversations about education and workforce development. Start by identifying the strengths and innovations you’ve developed locally and think about how they could address broader challenges. Pursue opportunities like the Einstein Fellowship with curiosity, humility and a desire to amplify teacher voices where they matter most 鈥� in policy, leadership and national STEM initiatives.
ACE: What legacy or impact do you hope to build through combining classroom leadership, academic research and policy immersion?聽
SW: I aim to establish a legacy of transforming STEM education by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world challenges faced by professionals at organizations like NSWC Carderock. By combining academic research, instructional leadership and federal policy immersion, I aim to empower teachers to innovate and help students recognize that computer science and engineering aren’t just subjects, but pathways to solving global problems. My goal is to create lasting systems and strategies that make STEM more inspiring, accessible and impactful for all.
Being an 番茄视频 alumni has its perks. When you return as an alum for another program, you can save 5% off your tuition with the鈥�Alumni Continuing Education Grant.
