In my work as a STEM Coordinator over the past eight years I’ve been able to combine my backgrounds in engineering and environmental studies with a passion for science, making and design. Some of the themes that have been present in all of my careers are designing with children in mind, inquiry and exploration, believing in children’s ability to solve problems and create solutions.

Tina is a CTE Teacher/Department Lead at Cesar Chavez Middles school in the Ravenswood School District. She teaches Engineering Architecture, Robotics, MakerSpace, Graphic Design, Manufacturing, and CSI. Tina has a BA in Information Technology, Labor Studies, and an MA in Instructional Technology and Education Leadership. 

Andra Yeghoian brings more than 15 years of experience in education across public and private school systems, nationally and internationally. She currently provides visionary leadership for a California-wide whole systems approach to integrating environmental and climate literacy, and sustainable and climate resilient school efforts, across a school community’s campus, curriculum, community and culture. Andra holds a B.A. and education credentials from UC Davis, and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School. Under her leadership, she has supported school sites, districts, and county offices in achieving honors such as the U.S. Department of Education and California Green Ribbon Award, Bay Area Green Business Certification, and LEED Platinum Certification for New Buildings.

Laura received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Boston College and her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Science from Boston University. In addition to her academic research, she also has a variety of publications and patents from her work in the pharmaceutical and biofuel industries. Her dedication to environmental sustainability started at a young age and inspired her work with the Sierra Club and MASSPIRG on clear air and water campaigns. Her love of science education led her to volunteer with Citizen Schools and Beyond Benign teaching green chemistry to K-12 students. At Impossible Foods, she combines her background in chemistry with her love of food and sustainability to move towards the mission of saving meat and the earth.

Doron is the CTE and STEM Coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education. During his career in education, he has held various positions as a classroom instructor and school-, district-, and county-level administrator for school districts in Florida, New York, California, and Barcelona, Spain. He was awarded his MS.Ed. in School and District Administration from the College of New Rochelle, and his Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University. He provides leadership at the local, regional, and state levels within the science, engineering, health, and career technical education communities, with a focus on the integration of career education with K–12 California content area standards and frameworks. He lives in Alameda, California.

He is also the author and manager of this K12 Strong Workforce Program grant.

Kirsten Andrews-Schwind oversees community stakeholder relations, outreach, grants, sponsorships, and needs assessments. She especially focuses on working with under-resourced and vulnerable communities. Kirsten also staffs Peninsula Clean Energy’s Citizens Advisory Committee. As a resident of Pacifica, Kirsten served on Peninsula Clean Energy’s formation committee before the agency launched in 2016. She came on staff in 2017 to manage community outreach for the initial major customer enrollment. Kirsten co-founded and directed a nonprofit think tank advocating for climate resilience and community choice energy in 2005. She authored community resilience toolkits used by grassroots groups and policymakers in 30 countries in three languages. She also launched a Bay Area coalition of grassroots organizations working for social equity in resilience policy. Kirsten holds a BA in Economics and an MS in Natural Resources Management, and speaks Spanish.

Vanessa aspires to connect community members with the benefits of clean energy and build relationships with trusted messengers in the community. She manages the Outreach Grant Program, coordinates partnerships with schools, and staffs the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Vanessa became interested in the role of clean energy in achieving local sustainability goals through implementing the City of Cupertino’s Climate Action Plan. She previously led youth engagement initiatives at Silicon Valley Clean Energy. She received a B.S. in Environmental Science from Santa Clara University.

Doron is the CTE and STEM Coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education. During his career in education, he has held various positions as a classroom instructor and school-, district-, and county-level administrator for school districts in Florida, New York, California, and Barcelona, Spain. He was awarded his MS.Ed. in School and District Administration from the College of New Rochelle, and his Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University. He provides leadership at the local, regional, and state levels within the science, engineering, health, and career technical education communities, with a focus on the integration of career education with K–12 California content area standards and frameworks. He lives in Alameda, California.

He is also the author and manager of this K12 Strong Workforce Program grant.

Doron is the CTE and STEM Coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education. During his career in education, he has held various positions as a classroom instructor and school-, district-, and county-level administrator for school districts in Florida, New York, California, and Barcelona, Spain. He was awarded his MS.Ed. in School and District Administration from the College of New Rochelle, and his Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University. He provides leadership at the local, regional, and state levels within the science, engineering, health, and career technical education communities, with a focus on the integration of career education with K–12 California content area standards and frameworks. He lives in Alameda, California.

He is also the author and manager of this K12 Strong Workforce Program grant.