Susan Johnston, Physics, Math, and Engineering Teacher and Science Department Chair, Livermore High School
Susan Johnston is a physics, mathematics, and engineering teacher at Livermore High School where she also serves as the science department chairperson and Co-Coordinator of the Green Engineering Academy. Originally serving as a C-STEM Fellow in 2013, Mrs. Johnston developed the Cowboy Code Academy at Livermore High School which focuses on learning programming skills through the C-STEM curriculum and brought C-STEM Algebra 1 with Computing and Robotics course to the school and has seen particular success with the C-STEM program with the at-risk population of the LHS Green Engineering Academy. She holds a degree in Physics from UC Davis and is the recipient of the 2011 California State Science Fair Teacher of the Year Award, the 2013 Sandia National Laboratory Excellence in STEM Teaching Award, and was a 2014 C-STEM Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Johnston considers the C-STEM program as the most innovative hands-on mathematics program she has been involved with during her 27 year teaching career.
Doug Obrigawitch, Math Teacher and Mathematics Department Chair, Manteca High School
Doug Obrigawitch is in his 33rd year of teaching K-12 mathematics. In addition to teaching AP Calculus, C-STEM Algebra 1 with Computing with Robotics, and C-STEM Computing with Robotics, he serves as the mathematics department chair at Manteca High School. As a certified C-STEM Train-the-Trainer, Mr. Obrigawitch is responsible for the C-STEM teacher training for Manteca Unified School District. He is also currently involved in forming a traditional mathematics pathway for the C-STEM Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 programs. He was the 2011 recipient of the San Joaquin County Cortapassi Family Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award for mathematics.
Ronda DaRosa, Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, Yolo County Office of Education
Dr. Ronda DaRosa is the Deputy Superintendent for the Yolo County Office of Education. Dr. DaRosa has been an educator for 33 years. Her broad educational experiences range from 12 years of classroom instruction at the intermediate to adult education levels in both private and public institutions. She has 21 years experience in administering at the school, central, and county office levels in comprehensive, alternative and special education; developing curriculum for both college preparatory and career technical programs; designing and implementing professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and administrators; and facilitating school reform at the secondary and middle school levels.
Dr. DaRosa holds credentials in the areas of Life Science, Introductory Mathematics, Language Developmental Specialist and Educational Administration. Dr. DaRosa received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Westminster College in Pennsylvania. She received her master’s degree in educational administration from Sonoma State University and her doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. She has provided advice and guidance for the development of the C-STEM program since its inception.
