Missouri Connections Academy, a statewide, tuition-free virtual program for students in grades K-12, announced today that high school assistant principal Ashley Carter, of Lee’s Summit, has been selected as a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Ambassador for 2025–2026. Carter is one of 30 educators selected nationwide and will be hosted by TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM.
Managed and facilitated by TGR Foundation since 2021, the DoD STEM Ambassador Program is a year-long initiative that provides funding, professional development training, and support to exemplary educators to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and help prepare students to enter the future STEM workforce.
“Being selected as a STEM Ambassador is an incredible opportunity for me to expand STEM access and opportunities for our Missouri Connections Academy students, inspiring them to explore, create, and solve problems through STEM,” Carter said. “I’m excited to connect my school with organizations and industries that can strengthen and grow our STEM partnerships to further empower our students and open up endless possibilities for their futures.”
Each STEM Ambassador is selected through a rigorous application process by an organization in the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) or by a DoD agency. DSEC is a collaboration between academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government entities aimed at preparing the next-generation STEM workforce. As part of the program, Carter will collaborate closely with TIES, a host organization within DSEC.
As a STEM Ambassador, Carter will collaborate with TIES to:
- Develop and execute projects that advance STEM outreach and opportunity.
- Create resources supporting inquiry-based learning, computational literacy, and STEM Ecosystems.
- Share best practices in STEM education
Carter is the high school assistant principal at Missouri Connections Academy, a full-time, tuition-free online public school serving K–12 students statewide. With 13 years in education, including 10 as a high school math teacher, Ashley recently completed her third year in school leadership, where she led several initiatives working to embed meaningful, student-driven STEM experiences and real-world applications into the school’s culture. Now in its sixth year, Missouri Connections Academy offers a high-quality online program with strong support and a sense of belonging. The school blends academics with college and career-focused options, providing students with opportunities for career exploration and industry networking to build confidence, make connections and find direction for their future. Missouri Connections Academy is part of the national Connections Academy network of full-time online public schools supported by Pearson.
The DoD STEM Ambassador program provides each selected educator with support, reflecting the Department of Defense’s commitment to evidence-based approaches that inspire and develop the nation’s science and technology workforce.
About Missouri Connections Academy
Missouri Connections Academy is a tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. True to our name, we believe meaningful connections drive better academic outcomes, so we build a strong circle of support that unites students, families, and educators. We create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students engaged in a safe learning environment. Beyond academics, our teachers focus on building fundamental life skills, partnering with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills needed to thrive in the real world by becoming resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-833-591-0251 or visit www.MissouriConnectionsAcademy.com.
About TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
What started as a vision of a 35-year veteran teacher and principal, has now developed into a global organization uniting partners to drive gains for learners, families, communities and the economy at large. Blending evidence-based best practices, cutting-edge technology, and customized solutions, we work with school districts, entire states, government entities, corporations and others who share our belief in the transformative power of STEM.
About the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC)
The Defense STEM Education Consortium is a collaborative partnership between academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government that aims to develop a diverse and agile workforce with the technical excellence to defend our nation.
About TGR Foundation
TGR Foundation empowers students to pursue their passions through education. Since 2021, TGR Foundation has managed and facilitated the DoD STEM Ambassador Program, providing training and support to advance STEM education nationwide.
For more information about TIES and its STEM education initiatives, visit tiesteach.org. Learn more about the DoD STEM Ambassador Program here.
