Education

PhD Old Dominion University, May 2026 (Expected)
Instructional Design & Technology

MS Virginia Polytechnic institute & State University, May 2013
Engineering Mechanics
Future Professoriate Certificate
Integrative STEM Education Certificate

BS Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, May 2010
Engineering Science & Mechanics

Teaching Experience

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen, VA

Technology Education Teacher, August 2013 - Present

  • Courses taught: Engineering Explorations I, Engineering Analysis & Applications II, Engineering Practicum IV, AP Computer Science Principles

  • Developed engaging, hands-on curriculum for all courses

  • Graded and maintained classroom environment

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Graduate Teaching Assistant, August 2011 - May 2012

  • Taught and lead three sections of Engineering Explorations 1024 and 1124 workshops

Graduate Teaching Assistant, May 2011 - July 2012

  • Held office hours to answer student questions and graded student homework for ESM 2014 Statics

Undergraduate Class Helper, August 2009 - May 2010

  • Assisted graduate teaching assistants and instructors with operating and overseeing student's use of lab equipment in ESM 3064 Mechanical Behavior of Materials Lab

Leadership Experience

Project ExCITE I and II

Lead Teacher, 2019 - Present

  • Attend planning and development meetings

  • Developed robotic activities for inclusion in the BJC AP CSP curriculum

  • Planned, developed, and lead face-to-face and virtual professional development

  • Provided online support for technology education teachers using the curriculum

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen, VA

CTE Department Chair, January 2015 - June 2023

  • Participated on the school leadership team

  • Ran department meetings

  • Developed a departmental budget and planed purchasing needs

  • Organized and planned CTE testing

Research Experience

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Graduate Research Assistant, August 2010 - May 2012

Advisor: Dr. Dan Dudek

  • Researched mechanisms used by small insects during jumping

  • Collected and maintained colony of jumping insects

  • Assisted with multiple senior design teams with related projects

  • Assisted with construction of a novel force platform

  • Conducted initial tests with novel force platform using small jumping insects

Graduate Teaching Assistant, June 2009 - May 2010

Advisor: Dr. Jake Socha, Organismal Biology Lab

  • Researched and analyzed pressure measurement systems for use in measuring internal pressure in carabid beetles

  • Selected and trialed pressure measurement system

  • Conducted initial measurements of internal pressure in carabid beetles

  • Created and maintained carabid beetle living habitat

  • Conducted trials with Synchrotron x-ray and pressure measurement on carabid beetles

Undergraduate Research Assistant, June 2008 - August 2008

Advisor: Dr. Nicole Rylander

  • Cultured chondrocyte cells

  • Researched and used Flexcell Tension and Shear system

Research Experience

Tolley, J. (2024). Add Depth to Your Message - The Use of 3D Printing in Instructional Message Design. In M. Ramlatchan, Instructional Message Design: Theory, Research, and Practice (Vol. 3). Kindle Direct Publishing.

Tolley, J. (2012). Gender and STEM around the world. In Global Perspectives 2012: Access To and Within Higher Education. Universität Basel.

Presentations

Tolley, J. (2022). National Board Certification for Technology and Engineering Teachers. Virginia Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference, Winchester, VA.

Tolley, J. (2022). National Board Certification for Technology and Engineering Teachers. International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Tolley, J., Hurlburt, H., and Stooks, D. (2021). AP Engineering Computer Science NEW Course for 2021-22. Virginia Technology and Engineering Educator Association Conference, Virginia.

Tolley, J. (2017). Unlikely Collaborations. TeacherFEST Professional Learning Series, Glen Allen, VA.

Tolley, J. (2017). What can CTE do for you. TeacherFEST Professional Learning Series, Glen Allen, VA.

Tolley, J. (2013). Use of Student Centered and Integrative STEM Strategies for Engineering Courses. Final Masters exam presentation in Engineering Mechanics. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Socha, J. J., Cox, L., Lee, W. K., Means, M., Tolley, J. (2010). Under pressure: The biomechanical mechanism of rhythmic tracheal compression in carabid beetles. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Tolley, J., Socha, J. J.. (2009). Beetle Juice: The Characterization of Internal Pressure Changes in Carabid Beetles. Society for INtegrative and Comparative Biology Regional Meeting, Chapel Hill, NC.

Honors, Certifications, and Awards

Emerging Leader (EL) designation 2024
Awarded based on outstanding performance and accomplishments by those who have at least three (3) years of professional experience in delivering technology and engineering education. The EL is a coveted mile marker for the achievement of professionals in technology and engineering education, the EL is a recognition for your earned attainments for delivering technology and engineering education

Virginia TSA High School Advisor of the Year 2016, 2018, 2023
Awarded to high school TSA advisors who are nominated and endorsed by two other chapter advisors and who have shown a positive impact on students.

ITEEA Teacher Excellence 2023
ITEEA awards are presented to outstanding technology and engineering education teachers, programs, and professionals.

VTEEA High School Teacher of the Year 2022
VTEEA Awards are presented to outstanding technology and engineering education teachers, programs, and professionals.

Virginia TSA Marshall O. Tetteron Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
In honor of the first state director of AIASA, later becoming TSA, this award is presented for outstanding contributions to the Virginia Association of the Technology Student Association.

National Board Certification 2020
Completed the National Board Certification process in Engineering Design and Fabrication.

Global Perspectives Experience 2012
An opportunity to travel through Europe to visit universities in Switzerland, France, and Italy and participate in the Global Summit at Villa Maderni in Switzerland and the Global Seminar at the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C.

McNair Scholar 2007-2010
A program for first-generation college students with financial need or a member of traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate education to help prepare students for doctoral studies.

Knowledge and Skills

Learning Management Systems

  • Experience using and maintaining courses through Google Classroom, Blackboard, Edmodo, Canvas, and Schoology

Student Management Systems

  • Experience using, maintaining, and records management with Banner and PowerSchool

Programming

  • Knowledge of C++, Java, MatLAB, Snap!, Python

  • Knowledge of object-oriented programing conventions and concepts

Productivity Software

  • Experienced with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher

  • Experience with Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Drawings

  • Experience with LibreOffice and OpenOffice

  • Knowledge of document formatting and standards

  • Experience teaching and demonstrating functionality of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Information Technology

  • Experience and qualified for Windows XP, Visit, 7, 8, 10, Android, and iOS troubleshooting and usage

  • Experience troubleshooting Microsoft Office Suite

Digital Imaging and Applications

  • Experience using DSLR cameras to take high quality images

  • Experience with Paint.NET, Photoshop, and Lightroom

Video Creation

  • Experience creating and editing videos with Windows Live Movie Maker, Screen-Cast-o-Matic, Loom

  • Experience creating and producing video presentations and training videos

Computer Aided Design and Drafting

  • Experience with 3D modeling in Autodesk Inventor and OnShape

  • Experience teaching and troubleshooting Autodesk Inventor

  • Experience creating, teaching, and evaluating board drawings, including isometric and orthographic projections

Professional Organizations

Virginia Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Member (2018 – present)

South Central Regional Co-President (2022 - present)
Attend board of director meeting
Assist with conference planning and running
Host regional professional development and social events

TSA Representative (2018-2021)
Attended board of director meetings
Assisted with conference planning and running

Conference attendee (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Member (2018 – Present)

Presenter (2021, 2022, 2023)

Conference attendee (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Epsilon Pi Tau

Member (2022 – Present)

Conferences and Trainings

ITEEA 86th Annual Conference March 2024

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

VTEEA Summer Conference July 2023

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

ITEEA 85th Annual Conference April 2023

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

VTEEA Summer Conference July 2022

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

ITEE 84th Annual Conference March 2022

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

ASM Virtual Materials Camp August 2021

  • 23 hours

  • Week long hands-on camp on including applied engineering techniques in classrooms

VTEEA Summer Conference July 2021

  • 8 hours

  • Technology and engineering professional development sessions

CodeVA HS - AP CS Principles July 2021

  • 8 hours

  • Preparation to teach AP CSP

Snap!Con July 2021

  • 20 hours

  • Four day conference to share ideas, experiences, and artifacts around the joy and beauty of computing

ITEEA 83rd Annual Conference March 2021

  • 8 hours

  • County professional development sessions

ITEEA 82nd Annual Conference March 2020

  • 8 hours

  • County professional development sessions

ExCITE Teacher Training August 2020

  • 40 hours

  • Week long hands-on camp on including applied engineering techniques in classrooms

#LifeReady Henrico Summer Conference June 2019

  • 8 hours

  • Sessions aligned to Henrico’s four cornerstones and Henrico Learner Profile

Seminar on Best Practices in the Question Formulation Technique August 2018

  • 8 hours

  • One-day seminar to explore how QFT stimulates curiosity, promotes deeper learning and builds habits of mind

TeacherFEST August 2018

  • 8 hours

  • County professional development sessions

TeacherFEST August 2017

  • 8 hours

  • County professional development sessions

TeacherFEST August 2016

  • 8 hours

  • County professional development sessions