Tamara Markey teaches pre-engineering courses at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology in the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township. Tamara was named Indiana’s Teacher of the Year in October of 2018 as she was recognized for her initiatives to get more female students involved with STEM and to promote instructional equity in schools. After nine years of working as an engineer, Tamara felt a desire to move into teaching, what she calls “a truly heartfelt profession.” Her vision is to “encourage kids to problem solve, think critically, and explore pathways for their future.” This work includes Tamara starting a girls technology program that pairs students with female mentors working in the STEM field. As she explains, “I really do believe this is what I was created to do.”