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Mrs. Klaassen was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her journey as a New Mexico educator started in the fall of 2008 when she decided to work for Alamogordo Public Schools. She worked at Sacramento and Sierra Elementary Schools from 2008 to 2012. For the last 8 years, she was employed as a Career Technical Education Teacher at Alamogordo High School (AHS) and successfully implemented several Project Based Learning Career Pathways. She has taught Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) and Innovations in Science and Technology (Engineering), and Computer Literacy classes. Mrs. Klaassen has mentored and coached robotics and cybersecurity AHS extracurricular teams.

She is an active member of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, New Mexico Association for Career Technical Education, Computer Science Teacher Association, New Mexico Science Teacher Association, and the Association for Career Technical Education.

Mrs. Klaassen has received several educator honors and awards. In 2013, the New Mexico Association for Career and Technical Education named her Outstanding New CTE Teacher of the Year. In 2014, Southeast Region MESA awarded her Outstanding New Mexico MESA Advisor and in 2015 at the New Mexico BEST Robotics Hub, she received the Dr. Horan Award for BEST Robotics Coach. She was also nominated in 2016 for the Otero County NAACP Educator of the Year.

Mrs. Klaassen is currently a Career Technical Education Coordinator. She continues to support, volunteer, and mentor STEM-related programs at Alamogordo Public Schools. Above all, she believes that education should be fun, engaging, and accessible to all.

Other Conferences/ Presentations:
*Alamo Innovate and Educate: Project Based Learning
*Alamo Innovate and Educate: Compassion Fatigue
*New Mexico Association for Career and Technical Education (NMACTE): An Overview of Cyber Security Certifications and Careers.
*Annual High Schools That Work (HSTW) Staff Development Conference: Implementing Advanced Careers Program: Successes and Challenges.
*New Mexico Association for Career Technical Education (NMACTE): Implementing Advanced Careers: Innovations in Science and Technology.
*New Mexico School Board Association (NMSBA)-Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Projects and Competitions.

Certifications:
Advanced Careers-Innovations in Science and Technology Certified Master Teacher
Screencastify Certified-Genius!
VEX V5 Robotics Certified Educator