Vickei began her career as an archaeologist and worked for more than a decade as an education program manager with the Field Museum in Chicago, translating field research directly into classroom instruction and coaching teachers on using authentic science and engineering practices with students. Vickei went on to develop a statewide integrated STEM curriculum based in archaeology and cultural anthropology with the University of Nevada Las Vegas and 19 Native American tribal organizations before continuing on to complete her teaching credentials, and eventually teach middle school STEM in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Educational Anthropology, and teaching endorsements in elementary, middle level science and CTE. In 2014, Vickei joined ESD112 as Regional Science Coordinator, took on the STEM Director position in 2017 and has helped to grow the STEM program in that region ever since. Vickei has recently presented at Infant and Early Childhood Conference and NSTA.