Jamie Inskeep has joined the TPF4Y team as Director of Programs. We are so excited to have her join us! Read below for a Q&A with Jamie and learn about her career, her interests, and her favorite things!
What was the "a-ha moment" that got you interested in working in the STEM industry?
I was a classroom teacher for 16 years so I’ve definitely always had a love for learning, but the real “a-ha moment” was after I attended a week of Space Camp for Educators. After that week I knew I had to do whatever it took to bring relevant and hands-on experiences to as many students as possible.
Where did you go to college and what was your major?
I went to IUPUI and majored in Elementary Education.
Who inspired you most in your career?
Probably my two children. My siblings and I are the first to receive college degrees in our family so I have always wanted to set an example to them that they can be whoever they want to be and never to settle for less than their best. Knowing they are watching me inspires me to continue setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
What is your favorite restaurant in Indy?
This is hard to narrow down because I am a big lover of food, but I will have to say Maggiano’s. I love classic Italian cuisine and when it comes down to it I could live on it for the rest of my life if necessary.
What do you tell Alexa to play most often?
With two teenagers in the house I don’t get free rein of the music selection very often, but if I do I’d be happy with anything other than rap or country.
As a former educator, what does STEM education mean to you?
For me personally, STEM education completely shifted my thinking in terms of education and how I approached everything in the classroom. About 10 years into teaching I found myself stuck in the mundane of the day to day and I knew I had to make a change. It was the discovery of STEM instruction that changed everything for me. I began seeing how critical it is in preparing and equipping students for a better future. Not only did I feel like I was better equipping my students, I was also growing and getting more excited about education. STEM provides students with hands-on experiences that connect them with real-life possibilities and I don’t think it gets much better than that!
What excites you the most about taking the role of Director of Programs for the Foundation?
I am so excited to be on the TPF4Y team for many reasons, but I think I’m most excited about the opportunity to partner with so many to make a big impact on kids and their futures. I loved being a teacher, but I’m looking forward to having a greater reach and impact on students across the state.
What is the app on your phone you can't live without?
I would say any social media app because it’s the easiest way to stay connected to family and friends. I have a very large family with a total of 20 nieces and nephews that don’t all live close so it’s really important for me to stay connected with them.
Do you believe in ghosts? What about aliens?
I do not believe in ghosts so much, but when it comes to aliens, I have a hard time believing that in a universe as vast as ours that we are the only people living in it. I used to tell my students that there may be another class of students somewhere on the other side of the universe wondering the same things about us.
It's your last dinner party on earth, you can invite 3 people that are not of blood relation to join you at your table. These people can be alive or dead. Who are they?
This is such a hard question, and I feel like it could change depending on the day, but currently, I will say Elon Musk because I am a huge space enthusiast and I have been intrigued with how he has brought such a lift to the country’s space program. Next, Billy Graham because my faith is really important to me, and with all of his life experience I feel like I could learn a lot from his stories and finally, Christa McAuliffe because she had the combined experience of being a teacher and training to be an astronaut.
Why should companies participate in philanthropic activities within their community?
Companies should participate in philanthropic activities to support their communities, as well as better, understand them. Understanding the needs in a community helps businesses understand their role in making it better. I firmly believe we all have a responsibility to care for and lift others up.