1. education
2. school

Diving Deep: Transforming Educational Practice for All Students
through CCSS/NGSS
Saturday, May 2, 2015
UC San Diego/Pepper Canyon Hall
Presenter Biographies
Jeri Aring teaches 3rd grade at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School. Her school is a Title I school with
approximately 550 students. The school is composed of approximately 23% English language learners
and 35% socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Jeri has taught kindergarten through 4th grade
over the last 17 years. She is a GATE certified teacher and was a Beginning Teacher Support and
Assessment (BTSA) support provider. She has attended and participated in technology-related trainings
at the district and county level. Jeri is currently leading her colleagues in implementing the use of
technology with students on a daily basis. She is passionate about helping students to expand their
depth of critical thinking through small group communication and other collaboration
opportunities. Contact: jeri.aring@cvesd.org
Dr. Andrea Barraugh is currently a math professional developer in the Poway Unified School District and
a private math consultant. As a researcher, she studies the interaction of different factors that affect
how a teacher expresses math instruction. She was a K-8 teacher for 20 years and served in
administrative roles in multiple school districts. She periodically teaches undergraduate and graduate
courses in the education programs at UCSD and the University of San Diego. Additionally, she works
nationally as a consultant for Math Solutions and a presenter for various math conferences. Contact:
abarraug@san.rr.com
Dr. Alec Barron is a founding teacher and science department chair at the Del Lago Academy in
Escondido, California. Alec started his work as a teacher with a M.Ed. from UCSD’s Teacher Education
Program. Over the last 12 years, Alec worked at the secondary level to develop teachers, curriculum,
and instructional practices that engage students in learning science. Alec taught a variety of science
subjects from grades six through twelve at schools with culturally and socioeconomically diverse
students. Alec's interest in social justice in education led him to complete an Education Doctorate in
Leadership for Educational Equity with the University of Colorado Denver. Contact: abarron@euhsd.net
Kathleen Barry is a high school math teacher at Guajome Park Academy in Vista and a teaching fellow
for Math for America San Diego. Contact: barryka@guajome.net
Karen Bowers is a UCSD Noyce Master Teacher who earned a MA in Teaching and Learning with
distinction from National University in 2005. She was also chosen as the 2005 American Chemical
Society Teacher of the Year. Karen has recently presented at the 2015 National Science Teachers
Convention in Chicago, the 2014 and 2015 San Diego Science Educators Association’s Conferences and
the 2014 California STEM Symposium. She also co-presented NGSS 102 at the 2015 Next Generation
Science Standards State Rollout Symposium held at UCSD, and at last year’s UCSD’s Implementing
Innovative Strategies in the Era of CCSS/NGSS. Further, Mrs. Bowers serves as the Science Department
Chair at Monte Vista High School where she has taught Honors Chemistry for the last 30 years. Karen is
the advisor for the Hispanic Society of Professional Engineers, Junior Chapter and is known for taking her
students out of the classroom to catch science in action. She was awarded the 2014 Golden Apple
Award, which is chosen by popular vote of the student body, and has earned the title of Google Ninja
through her implementation of technology in the classroom. Contact: kbowers@guhsd.net
Rusty Bresser was a classroom teacher (grades K-8) for over 20 years; first at the Children's School in
San Diego, then for the Oceanside Unified School District. He was a science instructor for UCSD
Extension for five years. Rusty is a math consultant for Math Solutions, a division of Scholastic, and is the
author of Math and Literature, Grades 4-6, and co-author of Developing Number Sense, Grades 36, Mini-lessons for Math Practice Grades K-2, Mini-lessons for Math Practice, Grades 3-5, and Supporting
English Language Learners in Math Class, Grades K-2 and 3-5, all Math Solutions Publications. Rusty is
interested in equity issues in math and science education and recently co-authored Becoming Scientists:
Inquiry-Based Teaching in Diverse Classrooms, published by Stenhouse. Rusty is the recipient of the 2015
Barbara and Paul Saltman Distinguished Teaching Award. Contact: bbresser@ucsd.edu
Bailey Choi earned her B.A., M.Ed., and multiple subjects teaching credential from UCSD. She is
currently working on a doctorate in Teaching and Learning in UCSD’s Department of Education Studies
and is currently conducting research on inquiry-based approaches to preschool science, investigating
how preschool students develop knowledge of the scientific process through experimentation,
exploration and play, and the cultural nature of science learning in preschool age children. Her research
indicates that when children are presented with developmentally appropriate and high-quality science
activities, they also demonstrate growth in language, math, engagement with peers, as well as an overall
increase in their interest in scientific inquiry applied to many areas of their daily lives. Ms. Choi is a
former lead preschool teacher of children ages 2-6 and is currently serving as a master teacher mentor
for new early childhood teachers. She is a curriculum development specialist working with others to
align the California Preschool Learning Foundations with the Common Core Kindergarten standards to
improve the quality of instruction in their preschool classrooms. Contact: baileymchoi@gmail.com
Dr. Shana Cohen is an Assistant Professor in the Education Studies Department at UC San Diego. She has
worked as an early childhood educator and a special educator for socio-culturally diverse children and
their families. She has taught pre-service teachers in graduate and undergraduate courses focused on
early childhood special education. One of her research interests focuses on integrating families' cultural
beliefs, values, and educational expectations into early childhood settings. Dr. Cohen is a member of the
P-3 Salon within Education Synergy Alliance, working to develop a strategic plan to bring a P-3 approach
to early education to San Diego County. Contact: shanarcohen@ucsd.edu
Shawna Codrington is currently a second grade teacher at Feaster Charter School in the Chula Vista
Elementary School District. Along her journey as an educator, Shawna has served as a lead teacher,
Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) support provider, master teacher, and literacy
specialist. She was also a primary teacher in La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and San Diego Unified
School District. Shawna’s research interests include urban school transformation, Science Technology
Engineering and Math (STEM), and cultural proficiency. Additionally, Ms. Codrington is featured in the
book, Text-Dependent Questions, Grades K-5: Pathways to Close and Critical Reading, by Douglas Fisher
and Nancy Frey. She was also awarded the 2015 Outstanding American Educator Award by the California
State Assembly. Contact: Shawna.Codrington@cvesd.org
Dr. Frances Contreras is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies at UC San Diego
and Co-Director of the Joint Doctoral Program in Education Leadership. She researches issues of equity
and access for Latina/o and underrepresented students in the education pipeline. She is author of
Achieving Equity for Latino Students: Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education through Public
Policy (Teachers College Press, 2011) and The Latino Education Crisis with Patricia Gandara (Harvard
University Press, 2009). Dr. Contreras earned her B.A. degree from UC Berkeley, M.A. degree from
Harvard University, and Ph.D. from Stanford University. Contact: contrerasf@ucsd.edu
Daniel Crook is a math teacher at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista. He earned an M.Ed. and
teaching credential from the EDS program at UCSD, as well as a B.A degree from UCSD. He teaches AP
Calculus, IB Math SL, and Integrated Math at CPHS and is currently the Math Department Chair and
Resource Teacher. As a member of the Instructional Leadership Corps (ILC), with CTA and the Stanford
SCOPE Center, Daniel supports and implements the following ILC’s principles. Professional learning is
practitioner driven: teachers teach teachers; principals teach principals; school teams teach school
teams; Cross role collaboration enriches learning opportunities; Local union and school/district leaders
are critical partners in our work; Local capacity for implementation of new California Standards/NGSS
grows through repeated, intentional practice and reflection; ILC activities connect to and enhance local
initiatives and funding sources. Contact: Daniel.Crook@sweetwaterschools.org
Alan J. Daly, Ph.D. is Chair and Professor of the Department of Education Studies at UC San Diego. His
research and teaching primarily focus on the role of leadership, educational policy, and organization
structures and the relationship between those elements on the educational attainment of traditionally
marginalized populations. Alan draws on his methodological expertise in social network analysis in his
work and has a book on the topic published by Harvard Press entitled, Social Network Theory and
Educational Change and a second book with Springer entitled, Using Research Evidence in Schools.
Contact: ajdaly@ucsd.edu
Kim Douillard directs the San Diego Area Writing Project, an organization dedicated to improving the
teaching of writing for students of all ages through the professional development and support of
teachers, kindergarten through university. In this role, Kim works with teachers across San Diego
County, the state of California, and all over the nation, sharing ideas, developing resources, and
building capacity to design programs to respond to local needs. Kim is also a classroom teacher, teaching
a multiage class of first, second, and third graders at Cardiff Elementary School. These complementary
roles allow her to ground educational theory in classroom practice, always focusing on how instruction
and classroom practices impact students and learning. Contact: teachr0602@aol.com
Brienne Downing is a mild/moderate special educator at Excelsior Academy, a non-public school in San
Diego County. She is also a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership joint doctoral program with
UCSD/CSUSM studying the retention and resilience of special educators. Brienne is an 8-year veteran
starting at the elementary level and now serves as high school department head. She has a strong
passion for helping students grow socially and emotionally as well as in their academics. Contact:
bfdubois0929@pointloma.edu
Brent Duckor is an Associate Professor in the Lurie College of Education at San José State University. He
teaches courses in the Department of Secondary Education and the Ed.D. Leadership program related to
testing, classroom assessment, evaluation and accountability. Dr. Duckor received his Ph.D. in
Quantitative Methods and Evaluation at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Masters of
International Affairs with a Business concentration from Columbia University and a B.A. degree in
Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His current research focuses on teachers’ use of
formative assessment with “high leverage moves” which can be embedded in video lesson studies to aid
reflective practice and professional development. Dr. Duckor’s training and experience, both as a
psychometrician and pre-service teacher educator, brings a unique perspective on the development and
assessment of teachers who need feedback on their formative assessment classroom-based practices,
particularly in STEM curricular domains. A former social science teacher at Central Park East Secondary
School in East Harlem in New York City, he has previously held consultancies with High Tech High
Foundation, worked with the Stanford School Redesign Network, and helped to launch Cal Prep, a joint
venture between the University of California, Berkeley and ASPIRE public schools. His most recent
scholarship has appeared in Teachers College Record, Educational Leadership, Psychological Test and
Assessment Modeling, and California English. He is working on a book Becoming a Formative Assessor
(ASCD forthcoming) with Carrie Holmberg. Contact: brent.duckor@sjsu.edu
Julie Dugan is currently a fifth grade teacher at Feaster Charter School in Chula Vista Elementary School
District. She has taught fifth grade for four years and currently serves as a lead teacher. Ms. Dugan holds
a Master's degree from University of San Diego in Literacy, Culture and Teaching English as a Second
Language. Her current passions and interests in education include effective STEM integration,
neuroscience for educators and social and emotional learning. Contact: Julianne.Dugan@cvesd.org
Genevieve Esmende is a middle school math teacher at Wangenheim Middle School for San Diego
Unified School District and a Master Teaching Fellow for Math for America San Diego. She is a lead
instructor for 2014-15 UCSD Math Tutor Corps course, which trains and places UCSD undergraduates as
math tutors at Lincoln High School, a university-partnership school. Contact: gesmende@sandi.net
Sharon Fargason is a second grade teacher at Baker Elementary in San Diego Unified School District and
co-author of the book Becoming Scientists. She has worked with the CRMSE department at SDSU as part
of a project on responsive teaching in science. Additionally, she is working toward her Ed.D. in the
Department of Education Studies at UCSD. Sharon is interested in fostering and growing the natural
curiosities that children develop as they learn about and interact with the world. Contact:
sharonfargason@gmail.com
Carri Fierro is Director for TRIO Outreach Programs, UC San Diego. She has worked in outreach at UC
San Diego for more than15 years. She has written and been awarded five federal Upward Bound grants,
which she also directs. Her work focuses on university outreach and efforts to increase
underrepresented student access to UC San Diego and college in general. Through her efforts, she has
strengthened the university’s partnerships with local middle and high schools. Her support providers
offer students’ academic supports during the school day, after school, and through summer enrichment.
Carri earned her Master’s degree from UCLA in Higher Education and Organizational Change, and her
Bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies and American Literature. Contact: cfierro@ucsd.edu
Holly French teaches 6th grade at Cajon Valley Middle School and is a fellow with the San Diego Area
Writing Project. Her district has recently adopted one-to-one Chromebooks where teachers are
implementing a blended learning program of instruction. Students use Chromebooks daily as well as
engage in traditional reading and writing of text. This is a very exciting time in education where we use
digital teaching to enhance the education of this next generation of digital native. Contact:
hdfrench@cox.net
Aruna Gossai, Martin Ghattas, Alias Qayum and Britsi Abarca are 11th grade students at Del Lago
Academy (DLA) Campus of Applied Science within the Escondido School District. As avid learners,
budding researchers and curious students, these four young adults completed their junior internships in
spring 2015 at the UC San Diego Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment and Teaching
Excellence (CREATE) where they worked specifically on studying the competency-based grading system
at their high school. Requested by their high school administration, the study involved a seven-week
intensive internship where the students co-designed, collected focus group, interview and survey data,
and analyzed that data in an attempt to shed light on important challenges and opportunities the “No
Mark” system provides Del Lago students. Aruna, Martin, Alias and Britsi enjoy mathematics and science
and are planning to attend college. Ask them about their school, their internships, and especially about
their research study. Contact: Del Lago Principal, Keith Nuthall, knuthall@euhsd.net
Gina Haggard was born and raised in San Diego, spending most of her life in the Chula Vista area. She
received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Italian Studies from San Diego State
University in 2002 and then received her master’s degree in 2006. Mrs. Haggard grew up in a household
with immigrant parents who spoke multiple languages. Gina currently has 9 years of experience
teaching in self-contained primary grade classrooms of Title I schools all over the country. She started
teaching in The Bronx, New York and moved to Indiana before finally settling back in Chula Vista. The
majority of her students throughout the years have consisted of different demographics, English
learners, and students with social/emotional issues. Because of these experiences, Gina’s passion for
teaching has become part of her legacy as an educator. She is bilingual in Italian, and can also
communicate in Spanish and Filipino. She provides her students with hands-on activities, visual aids,
technology in the classroom, and differentiated instruction. She believes this is an essential element in
today’s multi-cultural teaching methods, which gives her students the opportunity to use higher level
thinking skills in order to enhance rigor and master standards. As a teacher at Feaster Charter School,
Gina uses her teaching experience to bring out the best in her students. She is part of a strong team
whose goals are to provide positive learning experiences in the best learning environments for every
child. Contact: Genalyn.Haggard@cvesd.org
Lisa Hawk serves as the Exercise and Health Science Department Chair and Athletic Director at the
Preuss School UCSD. She also teaches middle school health and fitness. Lisa received her bachelor of
science degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and went on to receive her master’s
degree from the University of Maryland. While at Maryland, she coached the Women's Swim Team and
served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Non-Revenue Sports. She has also completed her Tier I
Administrative Credential through the San Diego County Office of Education. After moving to California
and raising two terrific kids, Lisa returned to teaching and was fortunate to secure a teaching position at
The Preuss School UCSD. Her many passions include teaching students about healthy living and coaching
girl’s HS and MS lacrosse programs at Preuss. She is also an advisor for Preuss School students, seeing
them through their entry into Preuss and eventually their transition to college. Contact:
mhawk@ucsd.edu.
Caren Holtzman teaches a range of UCSD Education Studies (EDS) classes, including Partners at Learning
(PAL) service-learning courses, practicum classes for the EDS minor, and methods classes (math and arts)
for the multiple subjects/M.Ed. students. Caren was a classroom teacher (grades 2-6) in Oceanside
Unified School District for 10 years. She worked on math curriculum development projects for the
California Department of Education and was part of the California Math Leadership Project. Caren also
worked as a Mathematics Consultant for Manhattan District #2 in New York City. She has been a
teaching consultant for Marilyn Burns Education Associates and has written several children’s books,
published by Scholastic. She is the co-author (with Rusty Bresser) of Developing Number Sense: grades 36 (second edition in press), MiniLessons for Math Practice: K-2, and MiniLessons for Math Practice: 35 published by Math Solutions Publications. Her latest co-authored book (with Lynn Susholtz), Object
Lessons: Teaching Mathematics Through the Visual Arts was published by Stenhouse. Contact:
carenholtzman@gmail.com
Alicia Johal teaches 8th grade science at Mar Vista Academy and is a teacher leader with the San Diego
Science Project. Her district is in Year 3 of one-to-one iPads with middle school students. Alicia is an
Apple Foundations Trainer who provides professional development to teachers in San Diego and
recently became Leading Edge Certified as a Professional Learning Leader. She is passionate about
problem-based learning and culturally relevant teaching to create meaningful connections for her
students. She works hard to design NGSS lessons to appeal to all learners, while heightening their critical
thinking and artistic skills using technology. Contact: AliciaJohal@gmail.com
Ray Kinne was born and raised in San Diego. After high school, he worked over a decade as a
professional musician playing guitar in the studios, nightclubs, and tours. He eventually found himself at
San Diego State University, majored in social science, and completed his teaching credential. While
preparing to become a history teacher, the Dean of Technology at the university saw him working on a
computer and recommended that he teach computer science. Ray took him up on his advice, never
teaching a day of history. He currently teaches computer science at San Diego High School, designing
websites and materials for SDSU, and writing and teaching for UCSD’s San Diego Supercomputer Center
(SDSC). He also serves as a master teacher for SDUSD’s efforts to bring greater computer science
opportunities into the classroom within his district. Contact: ray.kinne@gmail.com
Delores B. Lindsey has served as middle grades and high school teacher, a middle grades administrator,
and a county office administrator. Although she retired as a professor of educational leadership from
CSU San Marcos, she continues to teach in the Joint Doctoral Program (CSUSM/UCSD). Delores’ message
to her students and audiences focuses on culturally proficient leadership practices. She invites educators
to develop their own inquiry and action research. Her favorite reflective question is: Are we who we say
we are? Delores and husband Randall, her favorite Sage/Corwin author, continue to co-write about the
application of the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency. She is co-author of five Cultural Proficiency books.
She adds to that list Culturally Proficient Professional Development: Ensuring equity through the
Common Core (2015). Contact: dblindsey@aol.com
Randall B. Lindsey is Emeritus Professor at California State University, Los Angeles. He has served as a
teacher, administrator, and executive director of a non-profit corporation. He has served as a junior high
school and high school teacher and as an administrator in charge of school desegregation efforts. With
co-authors Kikanza Nuri Robins and Raymond Terrell, Randall published the initial Cultural Proficiency
book, Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders, 3rd Ed. (2009). His most recent books, include
with co-authors Reyes Quezada and Delores Lindsey, Culturally Proficient Practice: Supporting Educators
of English Learning Students; and, with co-authors Delores B. Lindsey, Karen M. Kearney, Delia Estrada,
and Raymond D. Terrell, A Culturally Proficient Response to the Common Core: Ensuring Equity through
Professional Learning (2015). Contact: randallblindsey@gmail.com
Art Lopez teaches Computer Science Principles and Computer Applications at Sweetwater High School,
located in National City, CA. He is a pilot instructor and curriculum writer for the College Board and the
pilot AP Computer Science Principles course. He also works with CS-CAVE, the group that provides
curriculum for instruction in the CSP course. Art is a member of CalTAC, the California Teacher’s
Advisory Council for STEM for the California Council of Science and Technology. As a member of CalTAC,
he helps advise the council on providing opportunities for teachers to use digital tools in the classroom,
connects innovators to enable the sharing and advancement of new ideas, and helps advise the
California Council on Science and Technology educational policies and initiatives regarding Computer
Science Education and Curriculum. In addition, Art is the lead trainer for teaching teachers in the
Sweetwater Union High School District in preparing them to teach the Computer Science Principles
course. He is a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association and of CUE, the Computer Using
Educators Association. Art’s passion and goals are to provide a high quality public education for students
at all grade levels. He thinks it is important to have every student take a class or classes in Computer
Science because learning about computing and computational thinking is just as important as learning
how to read, write, and do math; and CS teaches students how to think. Contact:
Arthur.Lopez@sweetwaterschools.org
Jackie Ma, Melissa Kwan, Jessica Newkirk & Melissa Kruse are teachers at Lincoln Acres Elementary in
National School District. They represent 1st and 5th grades and are currently developing a STEAM
program at their school. As UCSD EDS graduates, they are excited to return and share their projects
involving Common Core and NGSS. Contact: Jackie.Ma@national.k12.ca.us;
Melissa.Kwan@national.k12.ca.us; Jessica.Newkirk@national.k12.ca.us;
Melissa.Kruse@national.k12.ca.us
Kathy Melanese is the Director of the California Reading & Literature Project at UC San Diego. She is also
a Teacher on Special Assignment in the National School District supporting implementation of the CCSS
for ELA. Kathy was a bilingual elementary teacher for 13 years in the National School District. She was a
lecturer and supervisor in the Education Studies Department at UCSD for 11 years. Kathy’s interests are
in literacy, bilingual education, and English learners. Contact: kmelanese@ucsd.edu
Glenn Melero is a science teacher in the Grossmont UHSD. He earned a M.S. degree in Educational
Technology from National University, and a B.S. degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience from
UCSD. He teaches college-prep biology and chemistry, medical chemistry, and EL chemistry. He created
and coordinates a Health Science pathway at his school in partnership with HASPI.org. He is a member
of the UCSD Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship. He is also a member of the Instructional Leadership
Corps (ILC), in conjunction with CTA and the Stanford SCOPE Center. With the ILC, Glenn is learning how
to share the ILC's principles with other educators and stakeholders. Glenn coaches girl's golf and the
academic league team. He been teaching for 15 years and is a native San Diegan. Contact:
gmelero@guhsd.net
Sarah Motsinger is currently the Principal of the STEM Academy at Feaster Charter School in the Chula
Vista Elementary School District. Before becoming an administrator, she taught 2nd grade and 6th
grade and was a Literacy Coach who worked to support teachers. In her current position, Sarah
supports teachers’ integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into their daily curriculum
as well as works to create outside partnerships that provide benefits to students in after school
enrichment in the STEM fields. Feaster is very proud to have worked closely with Qualcomm and their
team as they designed their well renowned Thinkabit Lab visited by middle school students across San
Diego County. Sarah is extremely proud of her school’s academic and enrichment accomplishments. She
will be traveling to Dallas, TX at the end of the month to receive the National Center for Urban School
Transformation Award. Contact: Sarah.Motsinger@cvesd.org
Jessica Nascimento is a Biology Teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District. She is also a
curriculum specialist in science in her district and has been involved in helping teachers transitioning to
NGSS. She has both participated in and facilitated training of NGSS in San Diego County. She has worked
with the California Reading and Literature Project for five years in facilitating workshops in reading and
writing in the content areas. Contact: jessica.leigh.nascimento@gmail.com
Wendy O’Connor currently works in the Vista Unified School District as an Early Literacy Coordinator in
Curriculum and Instruction. This position allows her to work collaboratively with many educator groups
across the district: teachers on special assignment, principals, assistant principals, classroom teachers,
and support staff to improve literacy proficiency for all elementary students across the district. Prior to
her current role, she served as a Content Support Resource Teacher, Literacy Coach, and classroom
teacher. She has taught 4th grade, 5th grade, and a 4/5 combination class. She has also worked as a
Title I Reading Teacher for grades K-6. Wendy received her bachelor’s degree and Multiple Subject
Teaching Credential from SDSU. She earned her master's degree and Reading Specialist Credential from
CSUSM. Wendy is also currently a doctoral student in the EDS Teaching and Learning Program at UCSD.
Her long-term goal is to teach student teachers and veteran teachers at the university level. Wendy’s
first year study at UCSD focused on supporting teachers as they transition into Common Core. Her
current research interests continue the endeavor to support teachers in Common Core, but with a more
specific focus on Early Literacy instructional strategies and the effective use of digital literacy assessment
data to guide instruction. Contact: wendyo'connor@vistausd.org
Serena Pariser teaches 8th grade English Language Arts at Gompers Preparatory Academy, a collegeprep charter school and UCSD Partnership School located in Southeast San Diego. She is currently in her
10th year teaching and has found success inside the classroom. She earned her Master's degree in
Educational Technology from San Diego State University. She has worked with students from 6th to 11th
grade. She frequently uses technology to break down the four walls of a classroom. She has been a
teacher coach, curriculum designer, workshop presenter, educational blogger, and has held leadership
positions in school settings. Serena was humbled to be recognized as Teacher of the Year at Gompers
Preparatory Academy in her fourth year of teaching. Contact: spariser@gomperscharter.org
Mica Pollock, an anthropologist and design researcher, is Professor of Education Studies and Director of
the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence (CREATE) at UC San
Diego. As CREATE Director, Pollock works with colleagues to network UCSD's people, resources, and
opportunities to the diverse K-12 educators, students, and families of the San Diego region, with the
particular goal of supporting low-income, underrepresented students toward college and rewarding
careers. Pollock’s own research explores how diverse communities, schools and classrooms can come
together in student support efforts. In multiple projects based in schools, districts, cities, community
organizations, and the government, Pollock has asked how people might communicate so they can work
together to support every young person. A forthcoming book for educators, Schooltalking:
Communicating for Equity in Schools, compiles her 20 years of work on this issue. Her current work
explores how to link educators regionally in designing/sharing equity solutions (as in the Smart Tech Use
for Equity project) and how to leverage a university as a hub for creating new K-12 opportunities to
learn. Contact: micapollock@ucsd.edu
Michael Salamanca is a math and engineering teacher at Madison High School. He is also a lecturer at
the University of San Diego (USD) in the Educational and Leadership Studies department. In addition to
teaching, he is a lead teacher for CREATE and works on projects such as Smart Tech for Equity and the
San Diego Science Project. Currently he is working towards his Administrative Credential at
USD. Michael has a progressive approach to teaching and learning through a project based and inquiry
lens. He honors the culture and knowledge that his students bring to the classroom by providing them
authentic real world connections. Contact: Mike.Salamanca@me.com
Sandy Sanford, Ed.D. has been deeply involved in student assessment issues since 1970. He has taught
at elementary, secondary, college, and Career Technical Education (CTE) levels. In 2000, Sandy started
consulting work in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) specializing in the use of authentic
assessment to effectively and economically support instruction. His consulting work has taken him to 34
states and included six years touring with the US Department of Education’s Teacher-to-Teacher
program. Sandy’s latest focus has been the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment, the related
documentation/tools, and how this assessment can most effectively support Common Core instruction.
Contact: sandy@youasksandy.com
Cassie Santos is currently the K-8 engineering teacher at Feaster Charter School in the Chula Vista
Elementary School District. She has been in education promoting cross-curricular education and projectbased learning for 10 years. Cassie previously served as Department Chairperson in the Los Angeles
Unified School District. She has worked with the California Subject Matter Projects on two subject
matters and holds three single-subject teaching credentials. The K-8 Engineering program at Feaster has
received numerous honors, most recently the Classroom of the Future Foundation’s 2015 Inspire Award.
Contact: Cassie.Santos@cvesd.org
Kathryn Schulz is the newly appointed Director of the San Diego Science Project (SDSP), a component of
UC San Diego’s CREATE. Her position with SDSP involves connecting UCSD faculty with San Diego County
educators and particularly integrating NGSS-aligned instruction. Her work with CREATE and the CREATE
STEM Success Initiative (CSSI) connects the education community with UC San Diego faculty and
students to identify and address areas of need in STEM education. Kathryn was a San Diego Regional
Director with K-12 Alliance, a statewide organization in California dedicated to integrating literacy with
science through the use of student Science Notebooks and other reading and writing strategies. The
Literacy In Science component included in the CCSS recognizes that connecting literacy to science is
integral for student conceptual understanding in science. Kathryn also worked in SDUSD for 25 years
teaching K-8 science and developing and presenting science professional development to SDUSD
teachers and administrators. Contact: kschulz@ucsd.edu
Dr. Dennis Sisco-Taylor is a school psychologist working for the San Diego Unified School District. He has
worked as a research associate for the Project on Working Memory Plus, a research project that focused
on the development of evidence-based interventions that improve learning outcomes in the areas of
math problem solving and reading comprehension for students with learning disabilities. He has also
authored peer-reviewed research on topics related to response-to-intervention, and curriculum-based
measurement. Contact: d.siscotaylor3@gmail.com
Dr. Osvaldo D. Soto is both a high school teacher and a Senior Program Associate for Math for America
San Diego’s Master Teaching Fellowship program. Along with Dr. Guershon Harel, he is responsible for
overseeing the on-site professional development of the Math for America San Diego teaching fellows. A
mathematics teacher at Patrick Henry High School for 11 years, his classroom served as a setting for
fellows to see Dr. Harel’s DNR-based instruction in practice. He is currently on leave from SDUSD,
working on a post-doctoral fellowship with the Axe Foundation. In 2010, Dr. Soto completed his Ph.D. in
Mathematics and Science Education from a joint program between UC San Diego and San Diego State
University. He also earned a M. A. degree in Mathematics in 2004 from San Diego State, a B.A. degree in
1994 and a teaching credential in 1997 from Point Loma Nazarene University. While mentoring teachers
in multiple school districts, Dr. Soto continues to conduct research, present findings in mathematics
education, including the development of curricular materials and sharing pedagogical methods for
interns, new MfA SD fellows and Master Teaching Fellows. Dr. Soto’s research interests include teacher
change in the context of proof-centered professional development. His specific interest lies in
investigating the connection between teachers’ mathematical content knowledge and its influence on
their teaching practice. Together with two other DNR-researchers, Dr. Harel and Dr. Fuller, Dr. Soto has
written a chapter in a forthcoming book, “Determinants of a DNR expert's teaching”, In Transforming
Mathematics Instruction: Multiple approaches and practices. Contact: osoto@sandi.net
Allison Talbott is a founding math teacher at the Del Lago Academy in Escondido, California. Allison
began her teaching career as a summer intern in the UC Santa Barbara teaching program. Over the last
19 years, Allison has worked with a variety of students of diverse backgrounds. She enjoys teaching
students mathematics and loves to help students see that they can 'do math'. Contact:
atalbott@euhsd.net
Karina Viaud is Director, Parent & Family Programs, UC San Diego. She is an alumnus of the Joint
Doctoral Program in Education Leadership between UCSD and CSUSM. Previously, Karina served as the
Assistant Director of Parent Relations at the University of San Diego where she created the Parent
Ambassador Program with 150 members. She has extensive experience working with families and
communities to raise college access, preparation, and enrollment. Contact: kmviaud@gmail.com
Dr. David Weber is a mathematics teacher and department chair at the Preuss School UCSD. He has
taught in Calgary ( Alberta ), Vancouver ( British Columbia ) and Montreal ( Quebec ). Born and raised in
Canada, Dr. Weber earned his Bachelor of Engineering and M.A. degree in Education (Math and Physics)
from McGill University in Montreal. Later he also earned an M.A. in Educational Administration from San
Diego State University before completing his Ph.D. in Education at McGill. Dr. Weber prides himself on
setting high, yet realistic expectations for students and in showing students how math can be seen and
experienced in the real world. Contact: dbweber@ucsd.edu
Dr. Alison Wishard Guerra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies at UC San
Diego. She received her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA with a focus on applied child development and
early education. Dr. Wishard Guerra’s research focuses on culture and development in early childhood,
with particular focus on social and language development among Latino children from low-income
families. Dr. Wishard Guerra was a member of the expanded research consortia that developed the
California Preschool Learning Foundations on English-Language Development. She has served as an
expert reviewer of English Language Development and Cultural Diversity in the development of Volumes
2 (Physical Development, Health, and Visual and Performing Arts) and 3 (Science, and History/Social
Sciences) of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the California Preschool Curriculum
Framework, published by the California Department of Education. She teaches courses on early
childhood education, culture and developmental theory, quantitative research methodology,
dissertation writing seminar, and research on curriculum design. Dr. Wishard Guerra is a member of the
P-3 Salon within Education Synergy Alliance, working to develop a strategic plan to bring a P-3 approach
to early education to San Diego County. Contact: awishard@ucsd.edu
Amie Wong has been a special educator in the San Diego Unified School District for over 20 years. She
has been named a “model teacher” in the district for including children with moderate disabilities into
general education settings. She has also trained novice special educators and worked as a liaison
between the district and individual schools. Contact: awong@sandi.net