Board Members
Larissa Walder
President & Community Connector
Term: 2022-2024
Email: Larissa@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @WalderScience
Larissa's background in facilitating technology and science learning for both adults and children fuels her excitement to join the CUE Board. In her recent teaching role, she collaborated closely with the director of innovation to develop and execute a Micro:bits learning unit, empowering her 7th-grade students to craft moving earth models. Despite encountering numerous obstacles throughout the multi-week endeavor, witnessing her students' remarkable growth in collaboration and problem-solving skills ignited a desire within Larissa to share this enriching experience with fellow educators.
She spearheaded district-level professional development sessions and STEAM symposium workshops centered on Micro:bits, providing hands-on opportunities for educators to explore the tool and brainstorm innovative classroom applications. Larissa harbors a deep passion for delivering immersive learning experiences, particularly within the Bay Area educational community. Joining CUE's Board presents an exciting opportunity for her to connect with like-minded individuals and further her contributions to the educational landscape.
Dan Frost
Vice President & VP of Programing
Term: 2022-2024
Email: dan@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @frostd13
Dan has been an educator in SFUSD for ten years and has always been an avid implementor of technology in my classrooms. He currently works as a Digital Learning Partner in the Department of Technology at SFUSD helping teachers, administrators, and other staff integrate technology into their practice more effectively and efficiently. He develops and delivers training sessions and professional development series, leads and facilitates initiatives around digital implementation in schools, and advises administration on how to integrate technology use more thoughtfully for their whole school. He is currently spearheading the Digital Citizenship initiative for SFUSD.
Julia Maynard
Secretary
Term: 2023-2025
Email: julia@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @maynardsixth
Meet Julia Maynard, the adventurous teacher-librarian extraordinaire at Willie Brown Middle School in the vibrant Bayview area of San Francisco! Before diving into the world of library wonders, Julia rocked the classroom teaching 6th grade history, English, and even dabbled in tech wizardry with countless versions of her tech class. She's on a mission to bring every school she touches into the digital age, sprinkling online tools for collaboration and communication like confetti! Julia's not just your average educator; she's a presenter extraordinaire, dazzling audiences at CUE, Lead 3.0, ISTE, and ECET2 with her tech-savvy prowess. When she's not buried in tween novels or constructing mini ancient Egyptian temples, Julia's jet-setting across the globe, adding stamps to her passport like badges of honor! 🌍✈️
Teresa Lai
Treasurer
Term: 2022-2024
Email: Terry@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @TeresaHLai1
Middle School Social Studies teacher and Teacher Librarian (all 3 levels) in SFUSD. Educational technology promoter and early adopter. I have learned new tech skills and platforms and have collaborated to share with colleagues. I am the past state President of California School Library Association (CSLA).
Michael Bloemsma, Ed.D.
External Communications Officer
Term: 2022-2024
Email: michael@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @MichaelBloemsma
Dr. Michael Bloemsma has over 24 years of experience in education and has worked as a classroom teacher, professor, and technology leader at the school, district, and county levels. Michael currently works for SFUSD in the Department of Technology as a Program Administrator of Digital Learning and manages the district-wide 1:1 Technology Program for the district. In this role, Michael supports school site administrators and teachers to integrate technology and key pedagogies to help transform the learning experience for students. Michael served as the first President of the CUE San Francisco Board from 2015 to 2019, then as Vice President for 4 years, and now as the External Communications Officer. Michael has been an active member of the board for over 8 years. Michael earned his Ed.D. In Educational Administration and Leadership, with an emphasis on Technology Leadership, from the University of California, Irvine in 2013.
Jamie Nunez
Visioneer
Term: 2023-2025
Email: jamie@cuesf.org
For over 20 years, Jamie has redefined education practices by designing creative opportunities for educators to connect with their students. As a former high school teacher, school administrator, and after-school education director, Jamie has trained thousands of educators on student engagement in digital spaces.
Jamie currently serves as the Western Regional Manager at Common Sense Media and supports school districts in implementing digital literacy practices.
When not working, Jamie can be found in the ocean.
Christy Novack
Board Member
Term: 2023-2025
Email: christy@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @christypnovack
Christy Novack has been in education for over 19 years. She was an elementary educator for 14 years. Before this, she taught integration of technology tools at SF State to teachers gaining their credentials. She also created and taught technology electives for 6-8th graders in a paperless, blended learning classroom. She is currently the Access, Equity, and Innovation Specialist for Pacifica School District which focuses on bringing innovative learning practices to the classroom. She is a local and national presenter on educational technology. See her website at edtechlearning.com
Thad Austin
Board Member
Term: 2022-2024
Email: thad@cuesf.org
Twitter/x: @AustiHawk64
A veteran SFUSD teacher of 32 years, Thad has always looked to the future of public education through technology enhanced pedagogy. His own educational background starts in the arts with fine art and film making. Thad earned his teaching credentials from SFSU in San Francisco, joining Hoover Middle School as a math and science teacher in 1997. He obtained a MA degree in mathematics education in 2007. In 2016 Thad moved from the classroom into technology coaching with the Digital Promise/ Verizon 1:1 iPad project. In this role he has been able to support the next phase of 21st Century learning at the whole-school site level as well as in partnership with many other schools also participating in the digital learning revolution.