PROGRAM DIRECTORS

CGEP Program Directors plan and implement programs to support local professional learning needs of educators. Due to the integrated and inclusive nature of global education, Program Directors work across disciplines and grade levels to support the development of global competence in all students. CGEP Program Directors work collaboratively across the state to support Host Sites, engage Specialists and Teacher Leaders, respond to requests from schools and districts, and implement CGEP programs, projects, and resources. 

Stephanie Buttell-Maxin

Program Director

Stephanie (Steff) earned a BA in Linguistics from UC San Diego and MA in Education from San Diego State University. She holds a California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with a Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) certification. She was a Spanish/English bilingual teacher in the National School District in National City, CA. During her 34-year career in the district, she taught second through sixth grade, and was a staff member at the district’s Spanish/English dual language program. With her collective 30 years of experience in the California Global Education Project (CGEP) and the California Geographic Alliance, Steff is dedicated to supporting California PK-12 educators and students in their understanding of global issues and the skills necessary to meet those challenges.

Barbara Vallejo Doten

Program Director

Barbara taught history-social science and foundations of law courses in the Law Academy at Juan R. Cabrillo High School in the Long Beach Unified School District. With the exception of three years as the Teaching American History Grant Coordinator in the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Barbara's teaching career spans 36 years as a middle and high school teacher in the Los Angeles and Long Beach Unified school districts. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in History/Social Science in 2007 and has taught instructional methodology courses at CSU Long Beach and CSU Dominguez Hills. She holds a BA (History/Political Science) and MA (Education) degree from CSU Los Angeles and a Bilingual Certificate of Competency in Spanish. In 2004, the California Council for the Social Studies recognized Barbara as the High School Teacher of the Year. She has written and received grants from UCLA's Center X, LA County Education Foundation, and Latino Leaders Network to incorporate culturally relevant curricula and civics into the secondary curricula. Barbara’s civics team at Juan R. Cabrillo High School received accreditation as one of the first Democracy Schools in the state of California.

Thomas Herman, Ph.D.

California Geographic Alliance Director

Tom serves as Director of the California Geographic Alliance and supports the Global Teacher Fellowship. He explores, expands, and explains the field of geography education while developing and delivering professional learning experiences for PK-12 educators. He works with local, state, and national education organizations to promote contemporary geography education and meaningful use of geospatial technologies. Tom finds innovative ways to increase support and resources for PK-12 geography education in California and increase the number of students choosing geography as a field of study at the college level. In addition, as Director of the Young People’s Environments, Society and Space (YESS) Research Center at San Diego State University, Tom provides technical assistance, in the form of program evaluation and program development, to community-based and youth- and family-serving programs. His goal is to partner with non-profit organizations and local governments to provide strategic support for programs that make a positive impact on children, families, and neighborhoods. Tom is Adjunct Professor of Geography at SDSU with more than twenty years of experience teaching urban, social, and cultural geography as well as research techniques. His research interests focus on the social geographies of children, families, and communities and the evolution of urban neighborhoods. He earned his BA in Geography from Villanova University, MA in Geography from New Mexico State University, and Ph.D. in Geography from SDSU and UC Santa Barbara. Tom is a humanist and a passionate geographer who is endlessly interested in people's geographic experiences and strategies and in finding ways to support all kinds of people in having a high quality of life and opportunities for self-expression.

Alfredo Varela, Jr.

Program Director

Alfredo is an accomplished educator and experienced school administrator deeply committed to advancing global competency in PK-12 education. He holds a BA in Spanish and Secondary Education and a MA in Teaching Spanish Language Education from Manhattanville University. He also holds a MS in Educational Administration from National University. Alfredo was recently accepted into the Doctoral Program for Educational Leadership (DPEL) at CSU Bakersfield and plans to base his research on the benefits of a global education across mainstream PK-12 curricula centering on the measurable benefits of infusing global competency into everyday learning experiences for students. His study seeks to capture data that substantiates the claim that integrating global perspectives enhances student engagement, fosters cultural understanding, and prepares learners for an interconnected world. With nearly two decades of experience teaching Spanish at various educational levels, Alfredo has been a catalyst for innovative teaching strategies that incorporate global perspectives. As a school administrator, he has championed initiatives aimed at curriculum development to promote cross-cultural competence and critical thinking skills. Alfredo's work underscores his dedication to preparing students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected global society through comprehensive educational approaches.

On a more personal note, Alfredo is happily married to his husband, Antonio “Tony”, and loves caring for their two fur-children, Matheo (Vizsla) and Lucas (Shiba Inu), in their lovely oasis nestled in Ventura County. Alfredo loves collecting comic books, reading great books of all genres, and traveling! He has goals to write a children’s book, a memoir, and even open up his own charter school with global competency at its core.

STATEWIDE OFFICE

CGEP Statewide Office coordinates professional learning programs across the state in collaboration with Program Directors, Host Sites, Specialists, and Teacher Leaders. CGEP Statewide Office responds to requests from schools and districts for professional learning and facilitates statewide programs, including the Global Teacher Fellowship and California Global Education Forum. CGEP Statewide Office staff manages grants and supports project and resource development while addressing statewide initiatives, accountability, and reporting.

Emily M. Schell, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Emily earned her B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts at the University of San Diego, M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, and Ed.D. in Education Leadership from the University of San Diego. After working as an editor for school publications, she served as a teacher, district Social Studies Resource Teacher, and principal in San Diego Unified. She was the K-12 History-Social Science Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Education, joined the Teacher Education faculty at San Diego State University, and served as Liaison for the National Geographic Education Foundation. Emily serves on the state Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program Steering Committee, California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Executive Council, and San Diego Chinese Historical Museum Board of Directors. She is a facilitator for the CAPP Leadership Network, ambassador for HundrED, and was named one of the Top 100 Visionaries in Education by the Global Forum for Education and Learning. Her work in geography education, Social Studies, interdisciplinary and equitable teaching and learning, and Linked Learning contributes greatly to her vision for global education. With years of experience in teaching, administration, writing, editing, curriculum development, and professional learning, Emily is enthusiastic about leading the California Global Education Project. 

Stephanie Duran

Assistant Director

Stephanie graduated from San Diego State University in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Counseling & Social Change. She earned her master's degree in Counseling in 2018. During her years as an undergraduate, Stephanie worked with the School of Teacher Education and demonstrated the organizational skills, leadership, and work ethic necessary to lead the CGEP Statewide Office.

Stephanie's commitment to global education relates to her personal experiences in a binational region -- born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana -- and firm belief that planting seeds of global competence in young learners leads to a better and more sustainable world where cultural differences are embraced. She envisions for future generations life with a strong foundation of peace, harmony, and love -- free of judgment and hatred. Most importantly, Stephanie is the proud mother of a brilliant, young global citizen named Imani. 

Julianna Macias

Administrative Assistant

Julianna provides well-rounded support to California Global Education Project with skills gained from work experience in Logistics, Hospitality, and Case Management for vulnerable populations. She has a history of hands-on, resourceful volunteer work at a diverse variety of emergency shelters run by nonprofits throughout San Diego and independent animal sanctuaries.

As someone with a multicultural background and many loved family members of the next generation, Julianna is passionate about CGEP's mission to guide youth in becoming globally competent citizens. She is excited to contribute to an organization that shares her values and for a lifetime of learning inside and outside of the workplace.