Our experienced online instructors are current or former classroom teachers who have excelled in site-based and online instruction. These instructors are carefully selected, trained, and evaluated to provide the finest learning experience for the individuals who take our classes.

Examples of outstanding instructors:

Blesilda Ilano-Tenorio has taught Bilingual education in elementary school systems in the San Francisco Bay area since the early 1990's. She has extensive experience in teaching culturally diverse students as well as integrated curriculum in the classroom. Ms. Ilano-Tenoria has a Bachelor, Master and Ed.D degree in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco. She is also a Title VII Fellowship Recipient.

Carrie Tibbs has been an educator for over 16 years. She is currently the technology teacher and coordinator at Campbell Middle School in the Campbell Union School District (CUSD), as well as a new teacher technology mentor. Ms. Tibbs teaches a 12-week exploratory course for 7th and 8th graders in addition to running two programs - a before school (zero period) broadcast class and an Advanced Technology class. Carrie completed her Masters in Technology in June 2004 through an online Master's degree program.

Stefanie Aichele is currently a Reading Intervention and ELD Resource Teacher for the Campbell Union School District. Besides her teaching responsibilities, Stefanie has lead a district-wide Language Arts teacher trainer program, provided district-wide staff development for teachers on ELD strategies, curriculum and best teaching, and co-founded a reading intervention program to work with at-risk students with low state-wide test scores. Ms. Aichele is a two-time recipient of the Governor's Reading Award for Excellence at a Middle School. She is a published author, and has presented to the California Department of Education, Refugee Support and Services Program. An educator since 1990, Stefanie has a Bachelor and Masters degree from San Jose State University.

Kathleen McCowan began her career in education as a middle school teacher at CUSD. Most recently, she has administered on site coaching, consultation, observation, and modeling with beginning and tenured staff based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession Facilitated. Kathleen's other responsibilities include on-site staff development, including Reading and Oral Language Assessment, English as a Non-Native Language, Working with English Language Learners, Just Right Books, Equity, and Cycle of Inquiry. The designer and author of the Equity and Diversity online course, Ms. McCowan received her Bachelor degree from University of California at Santa Cruz and Masters degree from San Jose State University.

David Herz has fulfilled a variety of roles in his 15 years in elementary education. Currently teaching fifth grade in the Franklin-McKinley School District, he previously served as an Outreach Coordinator for the New Teacher Center; worked for three years as a New Teacher Mentor for the Franklin-McKinley New Teacher Project; and ten years as a first grade teacher. As an experienced mentor, Dave has trained other mentors on both the local and national levels. For the NTC, he worked to develop NTC-ONLINE, an internet resource for new teachers and their mentors. At his school sites, Dave has served as a technology lead teacher developing and overseeing three websites and developing strategies for integrating technology into planning, assessment, and delivery of instruction.

Jan White, in her 30 years as an elementary educator, has taught all grade levels from Pre-K through 6th grade in Ohio, Los Angeles and San Jose. She served as a mentor teacher to her district in the areas of early childhood education and new teacher support. She also presented annually at the California Kindergarten Conference and locally on the topic of early childhood education. She served as the lead advisor for the Franklin McKinley New Teacher Project for three years, which served over 300 first and second year teachers. Through the New Teacher Center, Santa Cruz she provided professional development for new teacher advisors in Silicon Valley, San Luis Obispo, and San Mateo as well as coordinated the Silicon Valley Pre Intern Program. She is on the adjunct faculty at the National Hispanic University. Currently, she is teaching second grade also. She holds a Masters degree in both Mental Health Counseling and Educational Leadership.

Joe Cook is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara with BA in psychology. After receiving his teaching credential from UC Davis, he taught for over 20 years in middle schools with the majority of his teaching focused on math, science and technology. Joe is currently serving as a new teacher advisor (2nd year) with the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project, coaching secondary math & science teachers.

Maria Brown has teaching experience ranging from pre-school through grade five. Currently she works full time as a BTSA /Induction Consulting Teacher in the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD). Her responsibilities include supporting new and veteran teachers. In addition, her time is spent designing and providing staff development. After receiving a certificate for Online Teaching and Learning through CSUEB she decided to continue on in the Masters program.

Gretchen McKay, M.S. has been an educator for more than 30 years at the elementary and university levels. During her career in education she taught in culturally diverse communities, grades K-8; at the university level Gretchen trained teachers in the credential program, teaching literature and CLAD courses. She has also been a consultant for several local school districts in Southern California, been a presenter at conferences, and worked with adult learners for a community college. Since leaving the classroom in 2001, Gretchen has served as an Extended Education Coordinator for Chapman University where she develops curriculum and establishes partnerships with agencies that provide professional development for educators. Since 1994, Gretchen has been traveling to Africa and sharing her passion with others. She organizes study tours for people interested in exploring the beauty and diversity of the African continents land and people.

I-Heng McComb, PhD. has a wide variety of experience and impressive achievements as an educator. A published author on topics ranging from physics to the professional development of teachers, she was educated at Harvard, Radcliffe and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Currently she is serving as Lead Team Member for the Silicon Valley New Teacher Project, having spent 3 years mentoring new teachers with a focus on developing their technology skills and strategies. She is also a district Teacher on Special Assignment for Algebra 1, supporting district Algebra 1 teachers in their work to improve student math achievement. She also teaches Algebra 1 and AVID. Over the years, I-Heng has taught math, biology, physics, and chemistry, serving as lead teacher for four different courses. She has presented and provided training in classroom technology applications and use of school data on many occasions. In 2004, she was named Teacher of the Year by her school district and the San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Weight, M.A. has a great deal of experience in the professional development of teachers. Currently serving as Campbell Union School District BTSA Consortium Director, she also provides support and training for new teachers in her district. Sharon has worked extensively as a presenter and professional developer. She has been a trainer and presenter on a wide variety of topics ranging from literacy and ELD to the professional development of teachers. Her honors include being named the Campbell Union School District Teacher of the Year for 1993.