San Francisco Program, Vol. 2: Friday - National Science Teachers ...

Friday, 2:00–3:30 PM
2:00–3:30 PM Featured Panel
Improving STEM Teaching and Education: A Superintendents’ Symposium (Gen)
(General)
103, Moscone Center
Moderator
Elizabeth K. Stage
Director
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California
Berkeley, Calif.
stage@berkeley.edu
An expert panel of school superintendents will discuss and
recommend how to improve STEM teaching and learning,
as well as associated challenges.
Panelists:
Carlos Garcia, Superintendent, San Francisco (Calif.)
Unified School District
William M. Habermehl (bhabermehl@ocde.us), Superintendent,
Orange County Dept. of Education, Costa Mesa,
Calif.
Kevin Harrigan (kharrigan@nusd.k12.ca.us), Superintendent,
Newark (Calif.) Unified School District
Steve Stavis (sstavis@scusd.net), Superintendent, Santa Clara
(Calif.) Unified School District
Elizabeth K. Stage is director of the Lawrence Hall of Science at
the University of California, Berkeley. Before earning a doctorate in
science education from Harvard University, she taught middle school
science and mathematics. Prior to becoming its director in 2003,
Stage did research and evaluation and led professional development
and public programs in mathematics and computer education primarily
at the Hall. In addition, she has worked on state, national,
and international standards and assessments in mathematics and
science and was director of critique and consensus at the National
Research Council when the National Science Education Standards
were being developed.
Carlos A. Garcia began his tenure in 2007 as superintendent of the
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Under his leadership,
the district has seen consistent improvement in achievement
for all students, including increased academic gains for Latino and
African-American students. Prior to SFUSD, he was vice president
of Urban Advisory Resources for McGraw-Hill Education. His career
in education spans more than 35 years, with positions as high school
teacher and principal for several schools. He also has led several large
urban school districts, including the Clark County School District
in Nevada, which was the fifth largest and fastest-growing school
district in the nation during his tenure, averaging one new school
opening per month.
William M. Habermehl has been elected for three terms as superintendent
of schools for the Orange County Department of Education,
leading a group of 3,000 employees in their efforts to provide
world-class education for more than 500,000 children. He began his
career in education more than four decades ago as a science teacher
and football coach. His television show Spotlight on Education
demonstrates his sleight of hand at magic and promotes innovative
teaching. Habermehl also serves on the boards of the Orange County
Business Council, the Discovery Science Center, United Way, and
Drug Abuse is Life Abuse.
Kevin E. Harrigan was appointed superintendent for the Newark
Unified School District in July 2008. Prior to that, he was the associate
superintendent of Educational Services where he was responsible
for curriculum and instruction, assessment, student services, special
education programs, and principal supervision. Harrigan has taught
students at every level, from prekindergarten through graduate level,
and he holds teaching certificates in early childhood education as
well as elementary and secondary instruction. He currently serves
as faculty for the National Science Resource Council’s Professional
Development Institute at the Smithsonian Institute.
Steve Stavis began his career in 1965 as a middle school teacher in
White Plains, New York. Since 2008, he has been superintendent for
the Santa Clara Unified School District. Santa Clara Unified School
District serves more than 13,000 K–12 students, and an additional
18,000 students in preschool through adult education. Stavis has
held various positions within the school district since 1991, beginning
as principal at Bowers Elementary School, then principal at Cabrillo
Middle School, and continuing to assistant superintendent. Prior to
that, Stavis was a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and
interim superintendent at the Union School District in San Jose,
California.
NSTA San Francisco National Conference on Science Education
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