Teacher Feature: February 2025

Yulonda Edwards

7th Grade Technology Concepts Teacher

James Madison Middle School, PGCPS

Yulonda was selected for the 2024 STEM Teacher Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C.!

“After spending 20 years as a Network Engineer and Project Manager, armed with a BS in Business Management, an MBA, and extensive experience in technology and leadership, my family and I moved to MD in 2018, I transitioned to education in 2019 to inspire and empower the next generation of tech innovators. I have been teaching 7th Grade Technology Concepts at James Madison Middle School in PGCPS since 2019.

I believe in a balanced home/work life. Outside of being an educator, I am a wife of 21 years, a mother to a 13 year old son and have a new 4 month old fur baby. My family attends church regularly and spends time volunteering in our community. I also love traveling and trying new cultural foods.”

What led to you becoming a technology teacher? Have you always been an educator?

I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of creativity and problem-solving in the tech field. Before becoming an educator, I worked in the mobile phone industry as a Senior Network Engineer, where I loved collaborating on innovative projects. However, I realized I had a passion for teaching when I started mentoring entry level employees and leading workshops. The joy of seeing someone grasp a challenging concept or create something entirely new sparked my interest in education. Becoming a technology teacher allowed me to combine my technical skills with my desire to inspire young minds to embrace STEM.

How do you bring real-world STEM challenges to life for your students?

I work at an IB World school, where we integrate hands-on, project-based learning that reflects real-world scenarios. For example, students might design and prototype apps to solve community issues, or build bridges out of household materials to learn about engineering principles. I often bring in guest speakers from STEM careers or organize virtual field trips to companies working on cutting-edge technologies. In my class, we also explore current events in technology, like space exploration or renewable energy, and connect those topics to classroom activities.

What is your favorite classroom resource that you love to share with your students? What memorable lessons or activities have you been able to carry out using this resource?

My favorite resource is our 3D printer. It opens up endless possibilities for creativity and innovation. One of my favorite lessons was a collaborative project where students designed and printed items inspired by real-world classroom challenges. Another was a "Build Your Business App" activity, where students created apps they could actually use. They sent the links to family and potential customers. They truly enjoy it. These activities not only teach technical skills but also emphasize problem-solving and empathy.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part of my job is watching students realize their potential and gain confidence in tackling challenges. Seeing the spark of curiosity in their eyes when they discover something new or the pride they feel when their project works as intended is incredibly rewarding. I also love how much I learn from my students—they often come up with creative solutions or perspectives that I hadn’t considered. It’s a constant reminder that teaching is a two-way street.

Thank you so much, Yulonda!