Hemlock Public School District proudly announces Laura Trombley as the inaugural Director of the Lockwood STEM Center. With a strong background in STEM education, instructional technology, and student-centered innovation, Trombley brings decades of experience and leadership to this pivotal new role.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck shared, “Laura Trombley is the perfect fit to lead the Lockwood STEM Center into its next chapter. Her passion for hands-on learning and future-ready skills aligns directly with our district’s mission to create opportunities for students to thrive.”
As Director, Trombley will lead the continued development of high-quality STEM programming at Hemlock, support curriculum design, and coordinate real-world learning experiences for students. Her responsibilities include expanding regional teacher training programs such as the High Tech Talent Initiative, mentoring Hemlock’s Gray Matter FIRST Robotics team, developing K-12 curriculum, and building partnerships with universities and industry leaders. She will also work to promote the Lockwood STEM Center as a regional hub for student learning, teacher training, and STEM career exploration—while leading grant-writing and fundraising efforts to grow the center's impact.
Trombley joins Hemlock with over 20 years of experience in education, most recently serving as a STEM teacher and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) instructor at Swan Valley Middle School. Her prior roles include serving as a STEM and instructional technology coach, an elementary teacher across multiple grade levels, and a technology consultant for the Saginaw Intermediate School District. She has also served as a robotics coach and a Dow Chemical STEM Ambassador.
Board of Education President Matt Wesener noted, “We are thrilled to welcome Laura Trombley to the Hemlock team. Her leadership and experience will ensure the Lockwood STEM Center becomes a place of exploration, creativity, and excellence for our students and staff.”
The Lockwood STEM Center, named after long-time Hemlock employees Tom and Dana Lockwood, represents the district’s commitment to cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, and math education. Designed to provide students with immersive, project-based learning opportunities, the center is a cornerstone of Hemlock’s strategic vision for innovation.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to see someone with Laura’s expertise step into this role,” said Tom Lockwood. “STEM education opens doors for students, and with her leadership, the center will inspire future inventors, thinkers, and problem-solvers for years to come.”
Trombley’s professional accomplishments include being named a SVSU STEM Star, a Dow/Smithsonian Scholar, and a Michigan Science Teachers Association presenter. She holds a Master’s degree in Science Education from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with Elementary Certification from Michigan State University.
Hemlock Public School District is excited to have Trombley join the pack in this role and continue to push the district’s STEM program further and help #PullTheSled.