"We build young minds for bright futures."

Our Qualifications

Instruction provided by highly qualified and NYS Certified Teachers assisted by (paid!) high school students experienced in both FLL & FRC
Teacher Training Certification from the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
Invited presenters and speakers at Tufts University's LEGO Engineering Conferences among other speaking engagements and teacher training programs across the country
Serving on Congressional Education Advisory Committee
Programming Consultants for LEGO Education Corporation
Certified Professional Videographers/Cinematographers

Vista Teach & STEM Education

We are preparing young students for careers that don't even exist yet! STEM Education is a federal initiative: (1) to secure America's leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; and, (2) to identify promising strategies for strengthening the education that leads to STEM careers.

So, what sets us apart?

Well, we are personally invested with all our students (campers). How? As NYS Certified practicing teachers in Elementary, Middle School, as well as Special Education, we specialize in effective classroom management, sound teaching practices, and comprehensive curriculum development for meeting the instructional needs of diverse classrooms of young learners. Best of all, we enjoy getting to know campers, parents, and FLL coaches as our students enthusiastically progress through their meaningful camp experiences.

EACH of our students is provided approximately $1000 worth of LEGO Robotics construction sets, motors, sensors, programming software, and a laptop computer – exactly as used in FIRST LEGO® League. Instruction is individualized with each student being responsible for their own programming and construction of models/robots.

In addition, we continue to consult with Rochester Area FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) and Jr. FLL coaches with providing effective LEGO® Robotics programming for meeting the instructional needs of their teams. We also enjoy meeting with FLL & Jr. FLL Teams pre-season as well as during the build season with consulting, supporting, and encouraging our campers. We especially enjoy cheering our campers on at their Show & Share Expos, Qualifiers, and even at the Championships!

* From four FIRST LEGO League coaches.

The people behind Vista Teach: a mother and son team!

Sue, Founder & Teacher

A former corporate executive for a software engineering company, I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to the classroom where I find myself energized and inspired with providing meaningful learning experiences for my young charges as an Elementary Teacher regularly integrating LEGO Robotics instruction. Teaching has always been my passion in life and I find it most rewarding to see my many enthusiastic classroom students as well as Vista Teach "campers" excited as they grasp hold of foundational building and programming concepts all in a real world context - as LEGO Robotics so effectively provides for!

Nate, Teacher

As a hands-on learner and digital native myself, I can easily relate to today's crowd of tech-savvy, young learners. Throughout my life I have been fascinated with technological advances and have continually jumped right in to exploit their potential for personal enjoyment as well as educational value and LEGO Robotics is no exception! Just as exciting are the many wonderful teaching experiences I have come to value whether taking on young filmmaking interns or providing a constructivist approach with facilitating student learning and problem-solving skills throughout my classroom and camp experiences...

Our Expanding Faculty at Vista Teach!

Mrs. Donna Chaback

Donna joins our staff with an academically comprehensive background as well as years of instructional experiences across a variety of math and technology venues and grade levels, elementary through high school. Donna holds NYS Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education and Special Education as well as a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with heavy Concentrations in Math and Science from SUNY Buffalo; a Bachelors of Science in Special Education and Adolescent Psychology from SUNY Brockport; as well as a Master of Science from Walden University in Education with Specialization in Professional Development.

Donna has thoroughly enjoyed her support experiences with her school district's FIRST LEGO League Teams and is very excited to be joining our staff: I have worked with a wide variety of students throughout my career as an educator, coach, and Girl Scout leader and have always believed that an engaged student is a learning student. One way I like to keep students engaged is to provide a hands-on learning experience that is relevant to the world they live in. Working with LEGO Robotics and creating Multimedia Productions are just some ways to accomplish this providing learning experiences students will never forget!

Mrs. Colleen Krug

As a lifelong LEGO enthusiast and robotics teacher for over 13 years, Colleen joins our staff as a Lead Teacher for our LEGO (Mindstorms) NXT Robotics Camps. Colleen holds K-12 Teaching Certifications in Art and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia along with a Master of Science in Art Education from Nazareth College. With her passion to challenge and engage her students, Colleen continues teaching middle school students as well as mentoring FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Teams expanding FLL experiences throughout her entire school district.

FIRST LEGO League offers kids a powerful team experience as well as building individual skills. Robotics + LEGOs = kids discovering how to problem solve.

"Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Ben Franklyn

Mr. Stryker Ostafew

Like so many of our teachers, Stryker joins our staff with a wealth of teaching experiences. Stryker holds NYS Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education, Prek-6 as well as English, 7-12. Stryker has been teaching for many years in the K-12 setting and now trains teachers in using technology, moviemaking, iPads, and social networking in their classrooms. He is fluent in multiple moviemaking software programs, photo editing applications, and most educational technologies on the market. Our poet in residence, Stryker has a background in music, drama, art and design, and uses all of these skills in working with students and adults to create amazing productions and presentations. Stryker is excited to be Team Teaching in our very popular Filmmaking Camps where his varied skills will surely be utilized!

Currently working on the development of an Elementary School Broadcast Show, Stryker says,"When I help a student go from being shy and unsure about what they can do, to confidently presenting themselves in front of an audience - that's what education is all about. To have kids laughing as they do a 'boring' book report in front of a live camera, that's just icing on the cake.