Celebrating 31 Years of Education: Tina Gleason
There are educators who follow a curriculum, and then there are educators who fundamentally reshape the way students view what they are capable of achieving. For 31 remarkable years in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Tina Gleason has been that guiding light.
As a beloved teacher at Golda Meir School – and a nominee for America’s Favorite Teacher – Tina has spent decades fostering curiosity and hands-on innovation. While August 29th marked her official retirement from MPS, one thing is abundantly clear to everyone who knows her: she is definitely not retiring from STEM.
Here’s a look back at her career, her adventures on the competition floor with Make48, and the exciting new chapter she is building for Milwaukee's next generation.
31 Years of Igniting Minds: Hands-On STEM at Golda Meir
Over a three-decade tenure with Milwaukee Public Schools, Tina dedicated nearly half of her career specifically to STEM and sustainability education. At Golda Meir, a school renowned for its gifted and talented programming, she built an environment where real-world problem-solving replaced traditional desk-bound theory.
Her classroom wasn't just a place to study science; it was an incubator for tangible change. Tina placed a special emphasis on empowering young women in fields where they are historically underrepresented.
She recognized untapped talent and gave students the confidence to step forward into leadership roles, showing them that engineering is about creativity, grit, and community impact. "I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with so many amazing people throughout my career. Thank you for all of the support, encouragement, opportunities, and most importantly, the wonderful experiences with students over the years,” remarked Tina.
The Make48 Journey
At Make48, we hold a special place in our hearts for Tina and her students. Time and again, she proved that when you give learners real tools, high stakes, and unwavering belief, extraordinary things happen.
The journey kicked off in 2022 when Harley-Davidson invited Make48 teams to design an interactive outdoor playground element for their museum campus. Tina assembled an all-girl team of talented students – Camilah, Jerrya, and Dayana – who competed as the Golda Girls. Combining their diverse skill sets against the clock, the team took home the Kids Choice Award with their 3-2-1 Race Harley Experience.
Tina wasn’t a one-and-done competitor. In 2024, she returned with her team, Golda 2.0, for a scalable sustainability challenge hosted at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Camilah, Dayana and newcomer, Mia teamed up for the challenge, taking home first place for their winning idea, Scholarly Seconds, and earning a ticket to compete at Nationals.
Even with retirement on the horizon, Tina returned to her fourth competition this past summer at UW-Stout Polytechnic alongside middle schoolers Renad and Retal, who were heading into the eighth grade. Competing as Golda R², the duo delivered a brilliant pitch that proved once again that true innovation and the drive to create know no age limit.
The Next Chapter: Digital Dojo & the Future of Hands-On Learning
Retirement often means slowing down, but for Tina, it marks the launchpad for a wider mission: ensuring that every child has access to the tools of tomorrow. "Although I am officially retiring, I have a feeling this is just the beginning of my next adventure!" shared Tina.
To turn that vision into reality, Tina has founded a new nonprofit organization: Digital Dojo.
While still in its planning and launch stages, Digital Dojo aims to bridge the opportunity gap across Milwaukee and surrounding communities by expanding access to high-impact programs in STEM, robotics, coding, and sustainability. By partnering with local organizations, the nonprofit will bring hands-on workshops and direct mentorship where access is often limited. Alongside building Digital Dojo, Tina will continue volunteering and supporting programs at Golda Meir School throughout the year.
Thirty-one years of teaching may be coming to a close, but the ripple effect of Tina’s work is only beginning. From all of us at Make48, congratulations, Tina! We can't wait to see where your next great adventure takes you.
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