​Lisa Ernst, a sixth-grade science teacher at Alice Fong Yu, received the Sylvia Shugrue Award from the National Science Teachers Association in recognition of her interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plans. Ernst develops project-based units to engage her students’ creativity and curiosity as they learn scientific principles and encourages them to persist in the face of challenges. She has also been a finalist for the San Francisco Mayor Teacher of the Year award, and a member of the NSTA Multicultural/Equity Committee. As a classroom teacher for over twenty-nine years, she teaches sixth grade in a multiple subject classroom with an emphasis on integration of content through project-based learning STEM or STEAM. Within the school year, Lisa serves as a Co-Developer with SFUSD, Stanford, and SERP, (Strategic Educational Research Partnership) with an emphasis on Science Literacy. During the summers and weekends, she continues to participate and enhance her knowledge in Earth Science through fellowships from the Department of Energy, Yale, to workshops from Chabot Space and Science Center to the Exploratorium. Through the participation of various science programs, Lisa has developed curriculum that has become funded through grants and has been presented through various venues. In March of 2012, Lisa served as a Judge for the Disney Planet Challenge competition. In 2010, Lisa was asked by NSTA to present and attend the SINO-US Science Conference in Shanghai, China where she shared instructional strategies that were designed within SERP. Recently she was selected to serve on the Discovery Channel Science Techbook Advisory Board in Silver Springs, Maryland. Katie is a Teacher Specialist in Technology for Glendale USD, providing professional development for teachers and staff. Her educational focus these days is understanding and implementing the Common Core State Standards with an emphasis on the embedded Educational Technology and Technology Literacy standards. Katie’s goal is to assist the teachers by taking the new units of instruction that are tied to the new Common Core Standards and finding creative ways to integrate technology into each of the units. She is also a fan of utilizing multimedia
when creating PBLs for students.

Katie graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Music (Voice) and received her credential and Masters from Pacific Oaks College and her classroom teaching experience is at the primary level – k-1, 1st, and 2nd grades.

Katie has a master’s degree in Human Development. Her thesis, “Easing the Computer into the Primary Classroom”, drew on her own experiences integrating technology into the curriculum. “I felt that if I shared how nervous and hesitant I was, and how I was able to conquer my fears about using technology, that others might take the plunge as well. I thank my students for their patience as we all learned together.” The tools and experiences she shared in her Master’s thesis are still valid today as teachers work to implement technology into their curriculum.

Katie is a STAR Discovery Educator, Google Certified Teacher, SMART Certified Trainer, SymbalooEDU Certified, Edmodo Certified, and also serves on the Leadership Council of the Discovery Educator Network.
Katie has been active on the SGVCUE Board since 2007.
Email: kwarren@sgvcue.org
Twitter: @TechyNana

Genny Kahlweiss’ Bio:
Genny, currently is a Third Grade Teacher, at Saint Columban School, and is on the ABLE (Advancing Blended Learning Education) Fellowship team (https://ablefellows.weebly.com/meet-the-fellows.html) in the Diocese of Orange, California. Is an active, Discovery Education Network Star Educator '05, DEN Leadership Council member, and a past DEN Ambassador. She is also a Google for Education Certified Innovator '07, and is a member of Google Geo '14 Group. During the year, she serves on the Orange County CUE Board of Directors
There are many other professional certifications Genny has currently accomplished such as being a Book Creator Ambassador, a Class Dojo Mentor, a Distinguished Renaissance Educator, a Renaissance Royal and a Renaissance Champion for the Diocese of Orange.

Genny has been in education for over twenty-five years and has a MS Degree in Educational Technology. She has a strong passion for supporting teachers and students with digital projects and implementation. Her latest passion is to continue to build a STEAM education community at Saint Columban School. Genny enjoys sharing with educators, you can connect with her on twitter: @kahlweiss
Email: gennypdtrainer@gmail.com