STEM PROGRAMS BIOS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Ed Services Mission Statement:
Educational Services inspires, leads, and supports learning in our communities through innovative and relevant services.

acunial@sjcoe.net
209.468.4880

Annie Cunial
Division Director STEM Programs

Annie Cunial is the Division Director in the STEM Department at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.  In this role, Annie has the privilege to work with the best STEM educators and supporters in the state at the SJCOE.  “Supporting, directing, and encouraging the STEM Staff at the SJCOE is the best job you can have in education.  Every day we provide innovative programs that empower and spark excitement for the students and educators in our county.”  
Full Bio
acarl@sjcoe.net
209.468.4880

Ann Carl
Senior Administrative Assistant
​STEM Programs

Ann is the Senior Administrative Assistant for STEM Programs at San Joaquin County Office of Education.  She is responsible for supporting all programs and grants ran by STEM Programs. She has worked for San Joaquin County Office of Education since 2007. Ann carries a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus.  Ann is married and has two daughters.  She and her family like to travel as much as possible and always look forward to their annual summer fishing trip. ​

​tbasepayne@sjcoe.net
209.817.8053

Tamara Basepayne
Director
STEM Programs

Tamara is the director of STEM Programs and Outdoor Education at San Joaquin County Office of Education.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2005 and Master of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of the Pacific in 2012.  As a Science Coordinator for the San Joaquin County Office of Education, she provides science professional development and support for K-12 teachers throughout the area. Full Bio

Stephen Callahan​
Coordinator
Educational Technology and FabLab

Stephen is the Educational Technology Coordinator  at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. He is a former science, math, and engineering teacher.  Stephen received his bachelor's degree from University of California, Berkeley in Cognitive Science.  Stephen is focused on the intersection between education, technology and engineering ways to improve people's lives.  He invents and programs hoping to inspire learners of all ages. Stephen is also the manager of the FabLab.
scallahan@sjcoe.net
 209.468.9247
Photo coming soon....
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szanini@sjcoe.net
209.817.8509

Steffany Zanini
Program Manager II
Educational Technology and FabLab

Steffany Zanini is a Program Manager in the SJCOE FabLab, a 7,000 square foot makerspace located on the campus of the San Joaquin County Office of Education.  She both leads and supports field trips for K-12 on topics ranging from data visualization to artificial intelligence.  Steffany also helps run STEM camps during the summer on topics from Lego robotics engineering to aerospace engineering.  She can also be found facilitating professional development for teachers, assisting in curriculum writing, or engineering prototypes for exhibits around the FabLab.
Steffany received her bachelor's degree in Zoology from University of Hawaii at Manoa and is currently working on obtaining a Master's degree in STEM Education from Teacher's College of San Joaquin. When not working in the FabLab, Steffany can be found somewhere outside.  She is always exploring new spots to paddle board, camp, or hike with her dog and family.  She also volunteers as an assistant coach for a 14-under travel fast pitch softball team.

lgilmore@sjcoe.net
 530.389.2001

Lissa Gilmore
Principal
Outdoor Ed. and Environmental Literacy
Sky Mountain

Lissa is a Principal at Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center. She has 14 years of classroom experience as a 7/8th grade science teacher and started with San Joaquin County Office of Education in 2014 working in professional development and outdoor education. Lissa received her bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of the Pacific.
As a Principal for our residential science camp, she manages all groups at Sky Mountain in the Sierra Nevada.

Neil Saunders
Operations
Outdoor Education
​Sky Mountain

Bio Coming soon...
nsaunders@sjcoe.net
530.389.2003
photo coming soon....

torressantiago@sjcoe.net
530.389.2001

Daniel Torres-Santiago
Program Manager
Sky Mountain

Bio coming soon.....

msmith@sjcoe.net​
209.292.2713

Megan Smith
Coordinator
STEM Programs

Megan is a Coordinator for STEM Programs at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. She received a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Education in STEM from Teachers College of San Joaquin. As a STEM Coordinator, she provides science and STEM professional development and support for K-12 teachers through the area. Additionally, she coordinates the annual San Joaquin County STEAM Fair. Megan is also an instructor for the STEM Masters Program at the Teachers College of San Joaquin, offering a course in Creative Risk-Taking and Design in in STEM. Full Bio

Bret States
Coordinator
STEM Programs

​Bret is a STEM Coordinator for at San Joaquin County Office of Education. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1997 and Master of Science in Education (Curriculum and Instructional Strategies) from the University of New England in 2009. As STEM Coordinator for the San Joaquin County Office of Education, he leads STEM professional development and support for K-12 teachers throughout the area. Bret is also the Co-Lead for the Region 6 STEAM Hub for Expanded Learning as well as the Co-Director of the Delta Sierra Science Project. Full Bio

bstates@sjcoe.net
209.468.4961

Bella Githere
Coordinator
STEM Programs

Bella Githere is the STEM Programs Coordinator at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. With a passion for science education, Bella draws inspiration from her dedicated STEM Programs team and her own experience as a science teacher in Tracy, CA, where she spent 9 years sharing her love of STEM with students and colleagues alike. Today, she continues to make a positive impact by providing quality professional development opportunities for educators throughout San Joaquin County.
Bella's commitment to learning extends beyond her professional life; she considers herself a lifelong learner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from California State University Hayward and furthered her education by completing a Master's in Education and Single Subject Credential from National University. Recently, she earned a Trustey Family STEM Teaching Senior Fellowship, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for STEM Education.
Outside of her career, Bella cherishes her role as a proud mother to her 18-year-old daughter, currently studying at the University of California, Irvine. She also enjoys exploring new cultures and places through her love for travel.
 
Photo coming soon.....

bgithere@sjcoe.net
209.468.9028

​kstepping@sjcoe.net
209.292.2715

Kristine Stepping
Coordinator
Outdoor Ed. and Environmental Lit.,
​Durham Ferry

Kristine is the Environmental Literacy Coordinator at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, where she plays a vital role in promoting environmental awareness and education. With an M.Ed in Environmental Literacy from Teachers College of San Joaquin, she is equipped with the knowledge and skills to inspire students and teachers alike.
Kristine's educational background is diverse, having earned a bachelor's degree in Teaching English and Swedish as a Second Language from Daugavpils University in Latvia. This international experience has fostered her passion for working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, fueling her love for travel and continuous learning. Full Bio

Katie Coelho
Program Manager
Outdoor Education, Durham Ferry

Katie is Program Manager at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center. She received her bachelor's degree in International Relations from UC Davis in 2007. Her appreciation for the great outdoors started at an early age and she is “living her dream” being able to foster that passion in San Joaquin County youth during year-round field trips & summer camps. She emphasizes environmental exploration and delta watershed education with a focus on sustainability. Katie is an active outdoorswoman, living seasonally with her garden & apiary while hiking, camping, hunting and fishing every chance she gets.
Photo coming soon.....

kcoelho@sjcoe.net
209.468.4880
We envision a future when children, community, schools and teachers will embrace the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards. Every child will engage in student-centered, inquiry-based STEM education while addressing local and global challenges. These experience will inspire innovative, ecologically and technologically literate lifelong learners, community members and STEM professionals.