Jessica​ Simpson​ is Director of School Climate, Leadership & Instructional Services, stepping into the position from her previous role as a Coordinator of Positive Behavior​al Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at the​ Santa Clara County Office of Education. She previously facilitated classroom learning as a teacher and teacher leader for 13 years before her talents for supporting and cultivating a diverse and nurturing learning environment led her into leadership roles. After attaining both a bachelor's and master's degree in secondary education, she pursued and was awarded an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. As a believer in lifelong learning, she is working toward her Doctorate in Education.

​Jessica served as Assistant Principal for three years before serving as Coordinator of Student Services for Eastside Union School District in Lancaster. She continues to incorporate new and innovative learning practices and techniques to support educators and leaders in improving student instruction by providing quality Professional Development to better meet the needs of learners. Her sustained goal is to ensure equity in education by providing guidance with learning strategies, interventions, and practices that close the achievement gap and address disproportionality.

​Natalie is the School Climate Senior Specialist in the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program. She joined the SCLIS team from the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity. Natalie has a strong passion and commitment to working with youth and building young leaders to advocate for the issues they believe in. Natalie is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor and has been teaching adults who work with young people how to recognize warning signs and risk factors of a mental health challenge for the last 6 years. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor's degree in Public Health. 

Laura holds a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Oregon State University.

​AJ​ is a School Climate Specialist in the TUPE Program! He joined the SCLIS team from being a Professional Expert with the TUPE Program. AJ has previous experience in working for the Public Health Department Tobacco-Free Communities program. He strives to advocate that youth should utili​ze their powerful voices to implement change in their community. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health. He is excited to work with school districts all over the Santa Clara County and coordinate youth events with the TUPE program.​​

As a specialist for the TUPE Program, Juan joined us from the Santa Clara County, Public Health Department via the Tobacco-Free Communities Program and more recently, as a responder for the COVID-19 response. Juan has an immense passion and fascination with how pedagogy and public health intertwine and ways they can be used to guide and support the community. He looks forward to finding unique and impactful solutions to challenges he may encounter in his  role. More importantly, in his work with the youth he is eager to absorb the invaluable knowledge and insight they have to offer.  ​

​A native of the Bay Area, Mary has dedicated 16 years to teaching TK-6th grade students across various districts, including LAUSD, EESD, and USD. Her educational journey includes a master's in education from UCLA and a master's in educational leadership from Santa Clara University. She has contributed significantly to the field as an adjunct professor, a mentor of pre-service teachers, a curriculum specialist, and a principal, which highlights her comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape.

Mary's commitment to fostering equitable learning environments and supporting all students, families, and communities reflects the core ethos of our team. Her dedication to collaboration and drawing from her diverse background enhances​​​​​​​ our collective mission of creating a positive and inclusive educational experience for all.

​A true homegrown educator, Jaime Koo started her early education at Milpitas Christian School and attended local San Jose schools. Discovering the joy of teaching while in high school, Jaime pursued her BA in English at Santa Clara University. She also holds a teaching credential and MA in Ed. Admin. from S​​anta Clara University. Jaime taught English Language Arts at Rancho Middle School for ten years, motivating and inspiring young people to become effective communicators and contributors in their community.

Prior to becoming the SCCOE’s Parent Engagement Coordinator, Jaime worked as an Education Consultant at Encouraging Literacy, providing reading and writing workshops for parents to encourage literacy development at home with their children. She is also a contributing blogger on GenParenting.com, a Teacher Consultant with the San Jose Area Writing Project, and a former Parent Engagement Specialist with the SCCOE.​

​Hushi has served as an educator for over 11 years and has led learning for colleagues as a teacher leader and supported administrators and stakeholders in her role as an instructional coach of English Learner Services at both the school sites and the district office. In 2014-2015, she was recognized as the Alum Rock Union School District Teacher of the Year.  Prior to teaching students, she taught English at an adult literacy school to Hmong refugees and refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Bangladesh and many more countries. 

Hushi takes pride in connecting with community partners at the local and state level to build positive partnerships to ensure access and opportunity for all students. She is a member of the ELLLI (English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative) community and participated in Schools ReTool (in partnership with Stanford's Design School) to engage with school leaders on designing educational hacks that lead to equitable outcomes for students. She has also led projects on integrating technology meaningfully through language development and student portfolios with support from Seesaw and Apple. 

​With over 15 years in education, Kristina has held various roles, including high school teacher, Activities Director, assistant principal, principal, and district-level coordinator. Kristina earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and a Minor in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, followed by a teaching credential, administrative credential, and a Master's in Educational Leadership with a Social Justice focus from San Jose State University. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to equity and social justice, having focused her M​​aster's thesis on culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Passionate about fostering inclusive, responsive learning environments, Kristina brings a positive, empowering approach to education. She is dedicated to supporting educators, students, and community partners in creating effective and equitable history-social science and civics educational opportunities. Kristina has also completed the ACSA Equity and Personnel Administrators Institutes, was part of the inaugural Learning for Justice Critical Practices in Social Justice Education cohort, serves on the Santa Clara County Superior Court Community Outreach Committee, and continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and practice in educational leadership.​​

Lindsey White is a Specialist for the Tobacco Use Prevention Education program. Lindsey has a great passion for serving youth and providing them with the tools that they need in order to become the best possible version of themselves as they grow older. Lindsey received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Chico State and her Masters of Science in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University. She looks forward to serving youth all over Santa Clara County. ​​​