Meet the Visionaries Behind Journey to STEAM
Journey to STEAM is the brainchild of Dr. Arielle Hammond, Ed.D., and her husband, Ryan Hammond. Their mission is to redefine education through creativity, hands-on experiences, and relevance.
Dr. Arielle Hammond, Ed.D.
Educator + Principal + Mother = Founder who gets it.
I’ve seen education from every vantage point. I’ve been the teacher in the classroom, the principal leading schools, the academic researcher studying what helps children learn best, and the mother at home watching my own kids explore the world with curiosity and joy. Those roles shaped who I am and why I started Journey to STEAM.
My academic path began at Amherst College and continued at Johns Hopkins University, where I earned my master’s in education. I later completed my doctorate in education researching school leadership, instructional systems, and how children thrive when learning is hands-on, collaborative, and joyful. I spent a decade applying that work in real schools, leading both a K–8 school and a high school, supporting teachers, coaching instruction, and building systems that helped students succeed.
When I became a mother, everything I knew professionally took on deeper meaning. I wanted my own children to experience learning that felt alive: building, creating, testing ideas, and discovering what they’re capable of. I looked for programs that combined rigor with joy, structure with creativity, and real-world problem solving with play. When I couldn’t find what I knew was possible, I built it.
Journey to STEAM began in 2023, when I taught our very first program while on maternity leave with my second daughter. What started as a solution for my own family quickly resonated with others. Parents wanted enrichment that aligned with how children truly learn: through exploration, collaboration, and hands-on experiences that grow confidence and identity.
Today, Journey to STEAM serves families across Oregon and Washington with after-school programs and camps designed to help kids think deeply, build boldly, and have fun while doing it. Every lesson is crafted with the same care I would want for my own children. Every instructor is coached and supported so they can bring out the brilliance in every learner. And every child is welcomed with high expectations and genuine belief in their potential.
I’m proud to lead this work, and grateful for the families who trust us with their most precious people. Journey to STEAM is the intersection of my life’s work and my life’s greatest joy: a place where children can discover who they are as thinkers, creators, and future innovators.
Ryan Hammond
Ryan is thrilled to share his diverse engineering background with local families. He brings a wealth of experience as a Coast Guard veteran and marine mechanic who later transitioned into technology as a database developer. Ryan is dedicated to helping students understand how the physical and digital worlds connect through innovation and adaptability.
Jessica Vorster
Jessica has been an enthusiastic educator for over two decades, teaching in Cambodia, Taiwan, and the U.S. She holds a Master’s in Applied Linguistics and has written over 30 textbooks for publishers such as Macmillan and Cengage, helping all ages of diverse learners improve their literacy and communication skills. She is thrilled to bring her wide-ranging experience in teacher training, curriculum development, and course creation to Journey to Steam, driven by her dedication to inspiring positive growth in others through education.