About Us | Exciton Learning

About Exciton Learning

Leo Gomez, MEd PhD

Founder & Instructional Lead

An exciton (EK-si-ton) forms when energy, like a photon of light, excites an electron, lifting it to a higher state. It’s a spark of activation, where it gains the potential to do more and go further. That’s the inspiration behind Exciton Learning.

Founded by Leo Gomez MEd PhD, an award-winning engineer, educator, and career STEM mentor with over 25 years of experience in education, Exciton Learning is built on the belief that hands-on, meaningful learning helps students unlock their full potential. Leo holds advanced degrees in electrical engineering from MIT and the University of South Florida, as well as a degree in education from UMass Boston, blending technical expertise with a deep passion for teaching.

As a licensed high school STEM educator in Massachusetts, Leo has spent over a decade guiding students through project-based learning, building confidence through the engineering design process, and creative problem-solving.

At Exciton Learning, we channel that same energy into creating engaging, rigorous STEM experiences that prepare students for college, careers, and beyond. Like an excited electron, students energized by learning can rise to new levels and carry their potential forward.

As parents, we understand the challenges of raising curious kids in a world of rapid technological change. That’s why we're constantly seeking meaningful ways to support their growth and help other families do the same.

Exciton Learning exists to spark that growth.

Meet the Team

Program Strategy & Development Lead

Jennifer Segawa, PhD

Jenn is a neuroscientist and educator who brings deep expertise in learning, cognition, and academic program development to Exciton Learning. With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and years of experience in higher education, she helps shape the strategic direction of our programs to ensure they are developmentally grounded, engaging, and aligned with our long-term mission.

As Program Strategy & Development Lead, Jenn supports curriculum planning, operational design, and learning experience development, offering thoughtful guidance that helps us deliver meaningful, high-impact STEM education to students growing up in a rapidly evolving world.

Computational Thinking Lead

Jon LoPorto

Jon is a nationally recognized educator and Exciton Learning’s Computational Thinking Lead. With over a decade of experience teaching computer science and a background in game design and performance, Jon brings a creative, student-centered approach to STEM education. He’s a recipient of the CSTA Excellence in Teaching Award and is known for making complex technical concepts engaging, accessible, and fun.

At Exciton Learning, Jon advises on coding-related pedagogy, helping shape learning experiences that foster not just technical skills, but the creative confidence and problem-solving mindset essential for today’s learners.

Join Our Team

At Exciton Learning, we are both instructors and mentors—practicing engineers and educators who are passionate about guiding students through hands-on, project-based learning in electronics, coding, and embedded system design. We're looking to grow our team with others who share this mindset. The ideal instructor has a solid foundation in microcontrollers, embedded systems, and physical computing, and knows how to support students through the inevitable challenges of debugging and iteration. As importantly, they can build trust, meet students where they are, and help them develop confidence as independent problem-solvers.

All instructors must pass a background check to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. If you’re experienced in teaching or mentoring middle school, high school, or early college students and excited by the idea of helping them build real systems from the ground up, we’d love to connect.

Let’s Work Together

Get in touch to learn more.