About Us
Embedded Files
Executive Board
Executive Board
President: Kate Lee president@ceaweb.org
I began teaching in 2004 in fourth grade at Regnart, my three children's home school. I taught both third and fourth there, and then moved to Faria in 2019 for a job share in fourth when I went 50% time. I've served as site rep, primary director, communications director, and on the peer review committee for CEA. I was also on the bargaining team for six years. I am honored to serve as your president for the next two years. I look forward to us working together for our union.
Vice President: Lisa Byars
Info and photo coming soon!
Treasurer: Ingrid Lu
Info and photo coming soon!
WE
NEED
YOU!
Secretary: TBD
Communications Director: Laura Compton commsdirector@ceaweb.org
I graduated from schools in CUSD and now have had the opportunity to return as both a parent and employee. I've been at the district since 2010 in a variety of roles, and have spent time teaching and subbing at Blue Hills, Garden Gate, McAuliffe, Nimitz and Stocklmeir. I am currently teaching middle school students at Christa McAuiffe.
As Communications Director for CEA, I get to combine my passions for teaching and media relations. CEA has hundreds of members and hundreds of stories that can connect and unify us if they're told. I am here to facilitate telling those stories to strengthen our bonds of solidarity with members and community alike. I look forward to visiting with and hearing from many of you.
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook and join our CEA Facebook group to learn more about ways we can connect for both work and fun.
Primary Director: Jo Ann Harrington primarydirector@ceaweb.org
Bio coming soon!
Upper Grade Director: Malini Gadepally upperdirector@ceaweb.org
Info and photo coming soon!
Middle School Director: Shanthi Kamath middledirector@ceaweb.org
I am eager to serve as your CEA Middle School Director. Currently a sixth-grade teacher at Kennedy Middle School, I bring 27 years of dedicated experience within the Cupertino Union School District. My background includes work as a Middle and Elementary School Teacher, Admin Designee, TOSA, ELO-P Supervisor, and De Anza College Summer Academy Assistant Principal. With an M.S. in Applied School Leadership and a Preliminary Administrative Credential, I specialize in data-driven instruction, behavior intervention, conflict resolution, and leadership. In this role, I am committed to active listening, collaborative leadership, and transparent communication. I look forward to advocating for your insights at the District level with a fair, practical, and problem-solving mindset—ensuring our shared vision drives a positive, lasting impact for our middle schools.
Special Education Director: Zoe Giatis speddirector@ceaweb.org
I am a speech-language pathologist with nearly a decade of experience serving students and families in Cupertino Union School District, where I proudly work at De Vargas Elementary. I specialize in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), support neurodivergent learners, and mentor speech-language pathology assistants, graduate interns, and new clinicians. I also serve as a lecturer at San José State University, preparing future speech-language pathologists through clinical supervision and university teaching. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at San José State University, with research focused on neurodiversity-affirming practices in educator preparation. I truly love working with CUSD students and families and am passionate about helping every child access meaningful communication and educational opportunities. As a union executive board member, I am committed to advocating for our members, strengthening our profession, and ensuring that educators have the support and resources they need to help every student succeed.
State Council and NEA Delegate Representative: Kate Lee president@ceaweb.org
I am honored to serve as the elected CEA delegate on CTA State Council which is the governing body of CTA. We meet quarterly to develop policies and governance that reflect the mission and vision of CTA and the voices of our members. I am also the elected NEA delegate for CEA and CTA California Caucu. NEA's governing body, NEA Representative Assembly, meets once a year with delegates from every state participating.
Bargaining Committee
Bargaining Committee
Loren Fontinell: bargaining@ceaweb.org
I came to the classroom teaching later in life after having spent many years in a variety of jobs and worked with several different outdoor education programs. I have been with CUSD for 18 years teaching 3rd and 5th grade at Christa McAuliffe. I really appreciate the alternative education opportunities that our district offers families and our staff members.
I have two boys. They attended school at San Lorenzo Valley, which is where I live. I am one of those "over the hill" commuters. I graduated from UCSC and got my teaching credential through San Jose State.
Kimberly Yu: bargaining@ceaweb.org
Info and photo coming soon!
Katie Anderson: bargaining@ceaweb.org
Info and photo coming soon!
Idalia Gross: bargaining@ceaweb.org
Info and photo coming soon!
CTA Advisory: Jamarr Akins JAkins@cta.org
Jamarr Akins is a dynamic labor and education leader with over 15 years of experience in union advocacy, public education, nonprofit advancement, and strategic partnerships. He currently serves as a Regional Director for the California Teachers Association (CTA), where he supports local unions across the state in bargaining, organizing, and leadership development.
Jamarr’s career spans roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, executive union leader, and director in statewide economic education organizations. He has successfully led multimillion-dollar budgets, expanded member engagement, managed high-impact community partnerships, and advocated for equitable education policy. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to justice, Jamarr brings a unique ability to build strong teams, develop emerging leaders, and drive sustainable growth.
He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Florida and a B.S. in Public Relations from Florida A&M University, graduating magna cum laude. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Jamarr remains active in community-based advocacy and leadership initiatives throughout the state.
Health and Welfare Committee
Health and Welfare Committee
Jocelyn Su: jocsu_1@yahoo.com
With almost 20 years of teaching experience, Jocelyn Su has worked for CUSD for over 16 years. She’s passionate about primary and has taught K-3 at DeVargas, Nimitz, and West Valley. She is currently teaching TK at Regnart. With a BA in Sociology, a specialization in Education, and MA in Instructional Technology, this UCLA and SJSU alumnus has served on many district committees, has been awarded Teacher of the Year twice, and continues to enjoy serving on the Health and Welfare Committee. When she’s not doing something teaching related, you can find her traveling internationally with her husband and young children, doing yoga, baking, and reading non-fiction books.
Melissa Hickman MELISSA@hickmanhouse.com
I have been teaching in the district for over 30 years and have taught every grade from kindergarten to 4th grade. I have been at Blue Hills all my career. I have also been on many different committees with the district. I'm happy to now be working with our health and welfare group. In my spare time I like to travel with my husband, bake, read and spend time with my family.
Human Rights Alliance
Human Rights Alliance
Ashley Valdez, she/her/hers
Ashley is an ELA teacher at Kennedy Middle School, where she is committed to creating and advocating for safe and welcoming spaces where all humans can grow, learn and thrive. Her work with CEA's Human Rights Alliance includes pushing towards our Human Rights vision of engaging, educating and advocating for our students, staff and community to have just, supportive environments for all. We see you, we hear you, we are with you.
Laura Compton, she/her
Laura teaches at Christa McAuliffe School and is committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces where all humans can grow, learn and thrive. Her work with CEA's Human Rights Alliance includes living up to our Human Rights vision of engaging, educating and advocating for our students, staff and community, particularly the marginalized and underrepresented in pursuit of safe, just and supportive environments for all. We see you, we hear you, you belong.
Safety Committee
Safety Committee
Jessica Norris
Jessica Norris is a 7th grade World History teacher at Kennedy Middle School. She grew up in Lakeport - small two in Northern CA on the largest/oldest natural lake in CA. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Rhetoric and a minor in Ethnic Studies, and attended Chico State for her teaching credential. She's taught middle school for 18 years. Outside of school she loves spending time with her family, cooking dishes from around the world, and watching movies.
Organizing Team
Organizing Team
Michelle Momii, organizing@ceaweb.org
I grew up in the foothills of Mt. Madonna on an organic apple farm in Watsonville. There, I learned hard work, responsibility, and resilience. My father believed in paying his workers a living wage and had our family participate in social justice rallies, such as ones led by the United Farmworkers Union and Jessie Jackson. Carrying on that legacy, I believe we as a union have strength in numbers. As the CEA Organizing Lead, l will put my efforts in facilitating teamwork amongst all members to fight for the working conditions and compensation we deserve.
Haley Juarez, she/her organizing@ceaweb.org
As a TK teacher, I love to sing and play to learn with my students. Even the youngest in our district can teach us so much if only we listen. It is a true gift to spend each day with 4-5 year olds!
It is a privilege to work alongside the amazing teachers of CUSD, supporting one another and working together to continue to improve our classrooms, schools, and communities. There is rich diversity, experiences, knowledge, and skills across our community, which is our strength and power. I look forward to continuing to learn about and advocate for the needs of our teachers, staff, students, families, and neighborhoods in pursuit of a fair, equitable, supportive, and empowering environment for all.
Community Engagement Team
Community Engagement Team
Nicole Gasparik
Hi, I'm Nicole Gasparik. I've been at Miller for over two decades. I look forward to working with CEA's Community Engagement Team to help build enduring connections between CUSD teachers and CUSD students and families.
CEA-PAC
CEA-PAC
PAC Chair: Steve Greenfield greenfield100s@yahoo.com
Steven Greenfield grew up in Cupertino, attended Hoover Elementary, Kennedy Jr. High, and Monta Vista High Schools. He was actively involved in baseball, football, soccer, and track. He attended West Valley Community College and transferred to San Jose State University receiving a degree in business management. In 2004, he went back to school to received his teaching credential from Santa Clara University.
As the father of three daughters that have attended Cupertino schools, he has a unique perspective as a parent but also as a former student and educator. He has been an avid volunteer within CUSD, chairman of multiple school site councils, elected to the home and school club board at their elementary school, and was chairman for several major fundraisers.
Steve started out in 2003 as a substitute teacher within CUSD and it was from these experiences that he sought his credential. After receiving his credential in 2006, he continued substituting throughout the district in various grades. He received his first teaching assignment in 2010 at Stocklmeir, working with a wonderful 2nd grade team. His current assignment is teaching 5th grade at Dilworth Elementary. He enjoys sharing his love of animals with his students, sharing in the responsibilities of their feeding and care. Steve started out as the site rep for Stocklmeir and has continued volunteering to be the CEA representative at every school he's taught. He is currently the rep for Dilworth Elementary.
CEA OFFICE
CEA OFFICE
Office Manager: Frederick Yip
Office Manager: Frederick Yip
(408) 257-2122 cea@ceaweb.org linktr.ee/CEATeachers
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