Meet Alyse,
Author of Keystone Science
Hi there! I’m Alyse, the founder of Keystone Science and a passionate advocate for all things science. Driven by a love for discovery and a deep curiosity about how the world works, my mission is to empower fellow educators to inspire the next generation of scientists. Through hands-on learning, innovative resources, and a collaborative community, I aim to help students not only understand scientific concepts but also develop the critical thinking skills they need to tackle real-world challenges. Science has the power to transform lives, and I’m dedicated to making it accessible and exciting for everyone.
My Experience in Education
Fun fact: I didn’t want to be a teacher! Honestly, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life! It wasn’t until I took an intro to biology course in college that my love for science—and sharing that love with others—really clicked. Thanks to some amazing friends and mentors, I ended up on the path to teaching, a career I never would’ve imagined for myself.
After several years of feeling unsupported and isolated in my teaching role, I ultimately left the classroom, overwhelmed by burnout. During a five-year hiatus, I joined a cancer non-profit, collaborating with doctors, nurses, and medical professionals from across the globe. Together, we developed evidence-based cancer treatment guidelines, tailoring them to meet the unique needs of regions like the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. This experience profoundly transformed my perspective as a science educator. I came to realize that teaching isn’t about stuffing students’ minds with facts—it’s about sparking their curiosity and equipping them with the skills to explore and discover.
A few years later, I returned to the classroom, driven by a renewed passion to apply my newly acquired skills and insights. This return rekindled my enthusiasm for teaching, leading to the rebirth of Keystone Science. Today, I blend my classroom expertise with real-world STEM knowledge to develop resources that are inquiry-driven, student-centered, and deeply connected to everyday life.
My Work Experiences
I began my teaching career in 2011, driven by a passion for education and a love for helping students grow. However, by 2015, I found myself burned out and disillusioned with the challenges of the education system, ultimately stepping away from the classroom. Despite my struggles, my commitment to teaching never wavered.
When the pandemic struck and countless educators left the profession, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and decided to return—this time embracing the new frontier of online teaching. Since then, I’ve been teaching biology, leading professional development workshops, speaking at conferences, and revising the biology curriculum for my local district to align with Pennsylvania’s new STEELS (NGSS) standards.
This journey has not only reignited my dedication to education but also deepened my belief in its power to shape the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers. It’s been a humbling and rewarding experience, reaffirming why I chose this path in the first place.
You May Have Seen me:
- Pennsylvania Science Teacher Association Annual Conference – Teaching Science In the Age of Chat GPT (October 2023)
- Champions for Science Conference – Paws & Effect: Decoding Feline Genetics to Model Inheritance Patterns (Summer 2024)
- Podcast Guest on [Girl Scout] Troop Leader Experience – Making STEM Fun and Easy (June 2024)
- Podcast Guest on Secondary Science Simplified Hosted by It’s Not Rocket Science – Serving ELLs with AI and MORE (November 2024)
- Pennsylvania Family & Consumer Sciences Eastern Regional Conference – AI for FCS: Less Stress, More Success (March 2025)
- Coming Soon! The Simply Impact Summit [affiliate link] (Summer 2025)
My interests Outside of School
When I’m not in school, I enjoy running and traveling—two passions that keep me energized and inspired. Here are a few photos from my adventures over the past few years. If we share similar interests, feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!
