PK-12 Teacher Workgroup

Marianna has been a middle school teacher for over twenty years. She teaches 8th grade science, computer science and STEM Exploratory class. In addition to her regular teaching duties, she heads the Robotics and Nanovation teams and works on numerous district initiatives. During the summer, she teaches high school biology and mathematics. Marianna earned her B.S. in Biological Science and her credential from UC Irvine. She earned her M.S. in Educational Leadership from CSU Northridge. Marianna enjoys gardening, cooking, sewing and welding and also relishes any chance to enjoy the Eastern Sierra with her husband.

Merek Chang is a 6-12 Science Teacher on Special Assignment for Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. He has also taught high school science and robotics classes. He received his B.S from UC Davis in Food Science and Technology and worked full-time in the food industry prior to entering education. He also received a M.A in education from San Diego State University. He is a KQED Media Literacy Innovator and is passionate about uplifting student voice and connecting the community to the classroom through the lens of environmental literacy and civic engagement.

With two decades of dedicated service in the field of education, Tiffany Farnsworth has cultivated a deep passion for nurturing young minds and fostering an appreciation for the natural world. Over the past seven years, her role as a STREAM TOSA has been instrumental in enhancing her commitment to environmental stewardship while instilling a love for outdoor and science learning in her students.

Her journey has been guided by a philosophy centered on empowering students through choice, amplifying their voices, and nurturing leadership skills. By facilitating meaningful connections between curriculum and real-world experiences, she aims to inspire lifelong learners who are equipped to positively impact their communities.

Recently, Tiffany had the privilege of spearheading the environmental stewardship initiative at the Solana Beach School District, where she worked tirelessly to cultivate a culture of sustainability and ecological consciousness among students and staff alike.

Now, as an Assistant Principal, she is thrilled to continue her mission of student advocacy and academic excellence on a broader scale. Each day, she is energized by the opportunity to collaborate with both students and educators, driving forward initiatives that will shape a brighter future for all, particularly in the area of environmental literacy.

Tiffany is deeply committed to fostering a learning environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and equipped to thrive. Together, let them embark on a journey of discovery, growth, and positive change.

Tracy Truong NBCT is a SF native, and teaches 4th grade at a Title I school in the Mission District of San Francisco. She is a passionate educator who strives to create a safe and inviting learning environment that values each child's learning styles & backgrounds. In the classroom, Tracy upholds high expectations of kindness and respect for themselves and that of their surrounding environment and community. When she is not teaching, Tracy is a watercolor artist and enjoys its therapeutic benefits.

My history of honoring the earth and all of its inhabitants comes from my father, a high school government teacher, member of the Chippewa Nation and avid adventurer. From an early age he instilled in me a deep curiosity for finding spirituality in nature. As an adult I dedicate my life to understanding the struggles and successes of all those who share this planet. I began this journey with the Reaffirming Ethnic Awareness & Community Harmony peer mediation course at UC Irvine. I continued this advocacy at City Year and earned my M. Ed. from the UCLA Teacher Education Program. Through my own learning process as an Environmental Justice, AP Environmental Science Teacher and Master Gardener, my greatest honor is seeing this work cultivate in my students heart and minds.

Passion for social justice comes alive in my students as we have organized Women’s Marches, attended Black Lives Matter Rallies and bused to Sacramento to make our collective voices heard. They were recently highlighted in the LA Times with Extinction Rebellion in calling for immediate climate action from our local government. The message I teach my students is the interconnectedness between social and environmental justice. The actions that we take are student driven. We call on those who have power to use it with expediency to tackle the most pressing issue for all vulnerable populations - the Climate Crisis.