For Spenser, working in education has always been a dream. Prior to joining Thinking Nation, he taught 6th and 8th grade English for three years at James Jordan Middle School. Spenser earned his bachelor's degree from CSU Northridge, majoring in Liberal Studies with a minor in Business Management. Later, he pursued higher education and earned his MBA from Pepperdine University. His background in both education and business uniquely positions him to contribute meaningfully to initiatives that empower students and support teachers in their classrooms.

Before joining Thinking Nation, Zachary taught middle and high school history for five years at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles, CA. As a teacher-mentor and department leader, he was passionate about ensuring all students had access to rigorous history instruction focused on historical thinking. He earned his BA in History from CSU Channel Islands, where his love for the subject and for history education took root. Zachary also holds an MA in American History from Pace University, further deepening his expertise and commitment to the field.

Annie has over a decade of teaching experience in both rural and urban schools. She earned her B.A. in Social Studies Education from Bethel University and an M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from St. Catherine University. She later completed a second M.A. in American History from Pace University. Annie is passionate about teaching American History through a social justice lens. A major focus of her curriculum development has been helping students engage with a broader range of historical perspectives often left out of traditional texts.

Valerie Nesmith-Arechiga is an experienced educational leader and Director of Partnerships at Thinking Nation. With a background as an ELA teacher and school administrator, Valerie is committed to addressing academic disparities and enhancing student learning outcomes. Valerie collaborates with educators to implement innovative curricula that fosters critical thinking, historical thinking, and improves writing skills across disciplines. Her leadership is characterized by empathy, strategic insight, and a dedication to educational equity. Valerie brings a human touch to the work we are doing at Thinking Nation to shift the paradigm of social studies education.

Johanna knew she wanted to work with kids and fell in love with teaching while attending CSU Northridge, where she earned her BA in Liberal Studies and a multiple subject teaching credential. She spent eight fulfilling years teaching 6th grade ELA and Social Studies in charter schools. Her passion for writing and PBL allowed her to blend historical content with creativity, providing students a meaningful and engaging experience. Johanna remains dedicated to inspiring young learners through thoughtful, innovative, and impactful instruction.

Lily Tidemanson is a Marketing Manager at Thinking Nation and a student at The Master’s University. Based in Los Angeles, Lily brings an astute passion for education and communication to her role, where she helps lead and formulate marketing efforts that promote historical thinking, teacher support, and civic engagement among students. Lily supports Thinking Nation's digital strategy, content creation, and outreach to expand its overall impact in classrooms and schools nationwide. Her academic and professional experiences reflect a strong commitment to storytelling, innovation, creativity, and advancing educational equity through thoughtful, mission-driven marketing initiatives.

Valentina Carvajal Bueno is a dynamic professional at Thinking Nation, where she plays a pivotal role in integrating AI-driven solutions into educational platforms. Notably, she contributed significantly to the development of AI-powered AP Practice Exams, aiming to make high-quality test preparation more accessible and equitable for students nationwide. Her academic background includes studies at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and she is currently pursuing a master's degree at Queen's University. Valentina's commitment to innovation and educational equity is evident in her efforts to enhance learning experiences and outcomes for students in secondary education.

Nicollette is passionate about civics, community, and education. Throughout her professional career and personal endeavors, Nicollette has supported businesses and non-profits in reaching their outreach and operational goals. Outside of Thinking Nation, Nicollette is also an educator at a TK-8 school and is a proud alumnus of Southern Methodist University, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science.