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.

Annie Cunial, Division Director STEM Programs

acunial@sjcoe.net
209.468.4880

Annie Cunial is a Director in the STEM Department for the San Joaquin County Office of Education.  She is currently overseeing the acquisition and development of an overnight outdoor facility in the High Sierras.  This residential site located east of Truckee will serve as an outdoor school, camp, and conference center.   “Sky Mountain” will primarily serve the youth of San Joaquin County and will expose youth to an ecosystem and environmental history which is different from that of the Central Valley.   Annie is excited to be working on a project that not only encourages outdoor education, but also inspires students of all ages to gain an understanding of the natural world and their deep connection to it. Full Bio

​tbasepayne@sjcoe.net
209.817.8053

Tamara Basepayne
Coordinator
Environmental Literacy

Tamara is the Science Coordinator for STEM Programs 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
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. ​

Erik Forsman
Principal
Outdoor Ed and Environmental Lit.,
​Sky Mountain

Bio coming soon...
eforsman@sjcoe.net
530.389.2001

lgilmore@sjcoe.net
 209.468.9170

Lissa Gilmore
Coordinator
Outdoor Ed. and Environmental Lit.
Durham Ferry

 She 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 Coordinator, she manages the day-to-day operations of our Outdoor Education program located at Durham Ferry in south Manteca.  
 Lissa has 14 years of classroom experience as a 7/8th grade science teacher and seven years of experience in professional development and outdoor education.

Neil Saunders
Operations
Outdoor Education
​Sky Mountain

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

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 provides STEM professional development and support for K-12 teachers throughout the area. Full Bio

bstates@sjcoe.net
209.468.4961

​kstepping@sjcoe.net
209.292.2715

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

Kristine is a Program Manager of Outdoor Education and Environmental Literacy for San Joaquin County Office of Education. She is currently enrolled in TCSJ's Environmental Literacy M. ED. program. She received her bachelor's in Teaching English and Swedish as a Second Language from Daugavpils University in Latvia. Her experience in working with students from different cultural backgrounds has inspired her to be an avid traveler and a life long learner.  In her free time Kristine's enjoys photography and hiking with her husband and their two children. Kristine is proud to be a part of a team that provides programs for students that allow students and teachers to develop their personal awareness and respect for the natural world and become its stewards.

Bridget Watson
Administrative Assistant
STEM Programs

Bridget is the Staff Secretary for STEM Programs at San Joaquin County Office of Education. She is currently supporting and assisting in Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center from the SJCOE STEM Programs Office. She grew up in San Joaquin County and attended schools in Stockton from elementary through junior college. She received her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University in 2009. She worked in the wine industry in the Lodi region for over 10 years before heading back to the education world at SJCOE. Her husband is a firefighter, and they have two young daughters. She is hopeful to see her girls experience Sky Mountain's Science Camp when they are old enough. 

bwatson@sjcoe.net
209.468.9096

cwhitesides@sjcoe.net 
530.389.2008

Chris Whitesides
Program Manager
Outdoor Education
Sky Mountain

Chris was born in Stockton, California and grew up camping, canoeing, and hiking across California. Chris received his BA from UCLA, MS from CSUN and is currently pursuing his Doctorate at CSULA. Chris has worked for a variety of outdoor programs, including UCLA Outdoor Adventures, LA River Expeditions, Maui Kayaks, and most recently managed CSUN Outdoor Adventures and the CSUN Boating Instruction Safety Center while serving as an adjunct professor at CSUN. When he is not studying or outside in a canoe he is an avid board game player and designer.
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.