About Us

James (Jamey) Duke graduated from Davidson High School in 1995 and the University of South Alabama in 1999. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology with a Minor in Mathematics.

Mr. Duke worked as a forecaster in Houston, TX before returning to Mobile to pursue a master’s degree in Math Education from USA. For the past 20+ years, he has been teaching upper-level math and science courses at Davidson High School, including AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Statistics.

He achieved National Board Certification in 2019. In addition to teaching, Mr. Duke has been involved in several projects as a STEM curriculum developer at both the middle and high school levels. Most recently he has been working with JROTC STEM Leadership Academy as the lead curriculum writer and Academy Coach.

Susan received a bachelor degree in Mathematics from Birmingham-Southern College, Masters in Secondary Curriculum at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Auburn University.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Pruet has been dedicated to both helping administrators and teachers improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and engaging youth in the importance of mathematics and science through the use of integrated STEM curricula. Prior to forming STEMWorks, she taught math to students from middle grades to graduate level, served as director of the Columbus (GA) Regional Mathematics Collaborative (1995-97) and as Program Director for the Mobile (AL) Area Education Foundation (1998-2013).

Besides being a prolific and successful grant writer securing over 8 million dollars in awards, she has led STEM curriculum writing teams and summer STEM camps for elementary, middle and secondary students.

Currently, as STEMWorks CEO, she serves as Principal Investigator and Project Director for the NSF-funded grant researching the Mobile County School System’s JROTC STEM Leadership Academy. In this role, Dr. Pruet oversees not only the Academy’s STEM curriculum development, related STEM Instructor professional development and implementation of all STEM components during the JROTC Academy, but also the related research and evaluation activities.

Laniese Howard is the JROTC STEM Leadership Academy Coordinator. She received her bachelors in Elementary Education and her Master’s in Gifted Education for the Gifted and Talented at the University of South Alabama.

She has been an educator for over 30 years in 3 states. For the last 15+ years, Ms. Howard has been working in the informal and formal STEM education fields serving as a classroom STEM Educator for grades 3-8, an Engaging Youth through Engineering camp Co-Director, and has served on numerous STEM education and curriculum writing teams.

At STEMWorks, as the STEM Academy Coordinator, Ms. Howard is primarily responsible for coordinating logistics for all activities, schedules, professional development, and day to day operations of the JROTC STEM Academy. Ms. Howard believes in STEM Education for all levels of students and that it is an important part of the learning process. Working at STEMWorks allows her to continue sharing the love of STEM both inside and outside the school setting.

Judy is a retired elementary and middle grades teacher. She received an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Mobile College and a master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of South Alabama.

For two years, she served as a master teacher for the SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication, and Mathematics Enrichment) Summer Institute. After retiring from the public school system, Ms. Duke worked for the Mobile Area Education Foundation as the coordinator of the EYE Middle Grades Program and for the Alabama Coastal Foundation as the education coordinator.

She has worked as developer and coordinator of STEM summer camps and after school programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Her current work includes Academy Coach for STEMWorksll and curriculum writer for Flight Works Alabama.

Peggy Brown worked at South Alabama Research and Inservice center at the University of South Alabama for eight and a half years. Coordinated professional learning for 9 school districts. Made logistical arrangements and support for their professional development. Maintained State Department of Education records for teacher recertification. Peggy served as Administrative Assistant for the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council for 2 years. She organized and provided support for Council and Board Meetings, as well as maintained financial records.

Peggy Brown serves as CONSULTANT/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT for STEMWorksII. She is responsible for carrying out administrative duties related to the DOD AWARD, assisting with conference details and travel, as well as planning and preparing a photo presentation for the JROTC STEM Leadership Academy held in Mobile, AL,  and providing support for the STEMWorksII Leadership Team.