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.

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 as well as one of the Top Women Leaders of San Diego by We Admire Women. 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. 

Jessica Medina

Office Manager

Jessica brings extensive business experience to her work with the California Global Education Project. Her career in relationship and project management has fostered strong organizational and communication skills which support the CGEP statewide office in the development and implementation of grants, projects, and resources.

Beyond career, Jessica’s passion for children and equity can be seen through her volunteerism as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). As a CASA, she gets to know a child’s current situation, communicates with professionals on the case, and advocates to ensure the child’s needs are being met. This volunteer work aligns beautifully with the mission and vision of CGEP in the support of educational leaders who design learning and a sense of belonging, developing today’s global citizens. She is thrilled to be part of the CGEP mission.