This year, San Diego CUE has five board positions open for election. We need your help to decide who should fill those seats. Being on the board is a volunteer position that requires time and commitment to the CUE mission to inspire innovative learners by fostering community, personalizing learning, infusing technology, developing leadership, and advocating educational opportunities for all. Board members plan the annual professional development event, our Powered Learning Fair, as well as the SDCUE Social at CUE and a variety of smaller events throughout the year.
Below are the candidates running for the SDCUE Board. Please read over their information. There are currently 5 openings on the SDCUE Board. Of the nominees running for a spot, 4 are new candidates and 3 are incumbent board members.
The voting window will be open until October 25th. All SDCUE members will receive an email with directions as to how to cast your vote. The voting window closes on October 25. The newly elected board will be announced at the SDCUE Powered Learning Fair on Saturday, November 2. An email announcing the winners will be sent to all members on Monday, November 4th.
View the Board Member
Job Description and Qualifications to learn more. If you have any questions about the voting process, please contact President@sdcue.org
The Candidates
Alicia Johal is the assistant director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking at the San Diego Jewish Academy. She has worked in public, charter and private schools for 9 years, teaching middle and high school science, biotechnology and marine biology. As a justice-driven educator, she works to create opportunities on and off campus for students to have access and achievement, and has been awarded by state and federal programs for her work creating inclusive STEM programs to support school communities. She is an Apple Foundations Trainer, EdTechTeam presenter and shares her expertise at conferences around the topics of equitable technology, language learners, student activism and mastery-based teaching and learning.
As an SDCUE board member, I will collaborate with fellow board members to prioritize equity in conversations about student success and educational technology, and I will cultivate critical dialogues and initiatives to engage the diverse and inclusive SDCUE community.
Matthew Evans, M.Ed, with a focus in Educational Technology. Matthew is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, teaching and training prospective teachers how to integrate technology into the curriculum, including how to teach computational thinking, physical computing and coding, as well as Google applications as a Certified Google Trainer, helping teachers to implement educational technology as a teacher leader. He is an experienced K-12 educator with over 15 years in the classroom. He has served as an Educational Technology Specialist, coordinated, developed curriculum and led professional development workshops in multiple settings. He consults with various STEM companies.
Matthew offers solid business knowledge and advice that is needed for the volunteer board. Matthew has been, and would continue to be, the SDCUE Sponsorship Chair to bring in thousands of dollars to offset the costs of the SDCUE Tech and Powered Learning Fairs.
Alicia Gallegos Butters works for the San Diego County Office of Education as the Director of Educational Technology. In this role, she has the opportunity to lead, goal set, establish work plans and set the vision for the Education Technology department, as well assist schools throughout San Diego County to do the same.
In addition to her work at SDCOE, Alicia also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership at SDSU, the same university where she earned her B.A., M.A. and ED.D in Educational Technology. In Alicia’s free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family which includes 16 year old identical triplet daughters.
As a board member my focus will be to assist CUE in their continued support to the educators throughout San Diego County. In addition, I hope to assist in the development of a stronger relationship between SDCUE, CUE and the county offices of education throughout California.
Tiffani Brown, M.A. in Teaching and M.A. in English, is an educator with fourteen years of experience. She currently serves as the Director of Instructional Technology in the Grossmont Union High School District. Tiffani has also served as a Vice Principal in the Santee School District. Prior to that role, Ms. Brown served as a Teacher on Special Assignment in the Santee School District where she focused on the creation and implementation of innovative curriculum and launched of Santee’s first 1:1 iPad program. Additionally, Tiffani is a Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer, and the current Vice President of San Diego CUE.
As a board member, my focus will be on providing excellence in ongoing learning for our local educational community as well as communication surrounding evolving practices and changes in the Instructional Technology Industry. The SDCUE board has been involved in ongoing dialogue about how best to partner with our members to help them grow their professional connections and stay invigorated about the promise of EdTech. I am passionate about continuing this work!
Elizabeth (Liz) Loether has been on the SD CUE Board for 3 years and LOVES her time with SD CUE! As the SDCUE Secretary, Liz not only documents our meetings and keeps our files in order, but she is also responsible for running the EventBrite for our Powered Learning Fair and invoicing each school after the event concludes.
Liz is currently the Principal at Rios Elementary Computer Science Magnet School. She has also served as Director of Educational Technology and Classroom Teacher. She enjoys learning and sharing ideas with fellow educators!
As a board member, my focus is on building community and providing opportunities to San Diego Educators.
Claudja Van Orden has been a SDUSD Instructional Technology Resource teacher for the last 3 years where she collaborates with teachers, administrators and students in innovating their teaching and learning, increasing students’ engagement and agency through the integration of technology. Claudja has presented in local and national conferences always advocating for innovation in the classroom. As a young teacher, she managed the Triton and Patterns Project at her school leading the creation of webquests for education and that is where she discover her passion for technology. This exciting new technological era will change the ways students think and learn, creating digital arenas for sharing work and building on knowledge.
As a board member, my focus will be on expanding the vision of innovation and equitable education through technology to reach every single teacher and student in the San Diego County area.
Laura Lemos has been an educator for 15 years, 12 years as a classroom teacher and 3 years as an assistant principal.
Laura is currently an assistant principal in Chula Vista and holds her doctorate in education. She is an advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse students and communities.
As a board member, my focus will be on providing STEAM education in order to enrich every students’ educational experience. My husband and I have 5 children and 3 dogs.
