Dara Stepanek is an educator and community leader who graduated from Cal Poly with a Mathematics Major, Physics Minor, and Teaching Credential. She taught math at Central Coast New Tech High School for 6 years, where she served as the club advisor for the Social Justice League, a group of students who worked to educate, activate, and lead our communities into a world that is just for all. Dara enjoys time with her son and now manages operations for her family business, Bliss Cafe, to promote and serve locally grown vegan, organic cuisine. She recently became a Climate Reality Leader and is excited to graduate in March 2020 as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Her hope for this Enrichment Program is to reinvigorate our democracy by empowering students to be global citizens. Always looking for innovative ideas within the broad spectrum of educational possibilities, Dara is very excited to be a part of Peace Academy’s team and vision.
Dr. Lata Murti is Associate Professor of Sociology for the School of Arts and Sciences at Brandman University, where she was the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding University Faculty of the Year Award. Before studying and teaching sociology, Dr. Murti was a Spanish teacher for grades 2-8. She has BA degrees in Spanish and Humanities as well as MA and Ph.D. degrees in American Studies and Ethnicity, from the University of Southern California. For her BA degree in Spanish, Dr.Murti studied at the University of Costa Rica, in San Jose, Costa Rica, for one semester, which left her yearning for Latina culture and the Spanish language. Dr. Murti was excited to find out about PASA ‘s Summer Enrichment Program and help lead the ¿Qué PASA? Program this summer.
Ingrid Kovacs, an award winning credentialed music teacher. She has taught general music and orchestra in both the private and public school sector for over thirty years, for all grade levels. She is all level certified in both Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk methods and a certified Suzuki Violin teacher. Kovacs earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in Music (Music History) from the University of Southern California. In 2010 Kovacs completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University. Kovacs is active as a journal editor and presenter at state and national conventions. Her research interests included string pedagogy, classroom management, and historical studies, and her work is frequently published. As an orchestra director, Kovacs is well known for her innovation, pedagogical expertise and ability to engage students of all ages. Kovacs is excited to be working with the Peace Academy because she wants to help young people begin to develop a sense of belonging to a common humanity.
Adri Long was raised in Chico, California, and is obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Earth & Soil Sciences from Cal Poly State University with a focus on both Geography and Indigenous Studies in Natural Resources. For the last three years, Adri has been the manager of the Green Campus Team at Cal Poly, which connects students through summits and collaboration. She also educates elementary school students about sustainability initiatives, such as zero waste and energy and water conservation, through a Cal Poly volunteer program Cal Poly Eco Reps. Adri has worked as an organizer intern at The Alaska Center in Anchorage, and is a strong upholder of peace and justice in her community. Her personal journeys have led her to explore the relationship between community, mindfulness, and empowering good change. As a lifelong student, she hopes to empower all of those around her to experience the joy of learning.
Kaito Lopez is a Cal Poly student who came from the Los Angeles area. Kaito studies Environmental Management and Protection enjoys is a great role model for an eco-friendly lifestyle. This Spring, Kaito will be studying abroad in Cuzco, Peru, where he will learn the importance of preserving every cultural tradition and respecting cultural differences. Kaito is fluent in Japanese and English will be working on improving his Spanish during his time in Peru as well. He is excited to have the Peace Academy opportunity to share with young minds how to be environmentally conscious in their everyday lives. Kaito believes having exposure to different subjects through integration of hands-on activity and real-life applications will help shape young minds into self-aware, socially-aware, and environmentally-aware individuals. In his free time, Kaito likes to hike and play his guitar.
Sandra Sarrouf is a cultural worker, arts advocate, educator, and community organizer. She received her MA in Cultural Sustainability and BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science with a minor Global Peace and Security through UC Santa Barbara. As a professional dancer, she harnesses the power of creativity and movement as tools to embrace diversity, build just communities and learn about our multicultural world. Sandra is passionate about cultivating deeper understanding of the varied ways we participate in culture and brings a multi-layered perspective to the table. As a Middle Eastern woman who immigrated to the U.S. at a young age, she offers tools for those seeking to build inclusion and cultural equity into their organizational framework. Her radiant joy and deep cultural pride is most evident in the vibrancy she brings as an instructor and performer in dance.
Stephanie Krouse is a freelance artist and credentialed teacher. Raised in Los Osos, California, she attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and received a BS degree in Ecology & Systematic Biology with a minor in Spanish. Doing art, caring about the natural environment, speaking in Spanish and serving her community have always been her passions. As an elementary school teacher she loves to help her students create art with positive messages that are inspiring and hopeful. She currently works in Santa Maria and prior to this position she was a dual immersion teacher in Lompoc. Krouse is fascinated by color and design principles. Her style combines pastel colors and realism. Her home studio, set as an island amidst row crops, in Guadalupe, is an ideal place for creating art. It is also in this location that she lives with her husband, two children and her two border collie puppies.
Greg Ellis is the Co-founder of One Cool Earth. He has been in the role of Executive Director for the past 6 years before stepping down in 2018 to serve as the nonprofit's Growth Officer. After completing a medical internship in an emergency room during the summer of his sophomore year of university, he became convinced of the need for more preventative health measures. With support from mentors and the community, he helped to develop our local school gardens as a much needed tool to advance personal health, environmental stewardship, and science education for youth. Greg currently enjoys playing piano, hiking, and contemplating the brilliant miracle of life.
Amanda Woodle is a graduate of the University of Redlands, with a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders and plans on becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. She grew up in Templeton and spent her summers becoming fluent in ASL and working at Camp. For the past three years, Amanda has been a student director of Big Buddies, a mentoring program in Redlands, has volunteered as a tutor in the San Bernardino Juvenile Hall, and has been a Trip Leader for the University of Redlands Outdoor Programs. She is passionate about working with children, environmental stewardship, and serving the community in which she lives. Amanda is excited to be a part of the Peace Academy team and take part in developing a well and comprehensively integrated outdoor enrichment program this summer!
Kai Sanson is a progressive educator with over seven years experience creating and teaching culturally relevant, project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum for middle and high school students. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Global Economics and a focus on Latin American Studies and Spanish language, he then earned an MA in Education at Loyola Marymount University. He began his teaching career on the water, teaching kids ocean and environmental awareness through surfing, snorkeling and ocean swimming. Taking his practice into the classroom, he worked at Environmental Charter Schools in South Los Angeles, a growing charter network with a project-based, environmental focus for underserved families in the area. He currently co-facilitates American Studies at Central Coast New Tech High School, along with Psychology and Sociology. As an educator, his focus has always been on promoting environmental stewardship, social justice and the discovery of each student’s sense-of-self as they navigate their place in our global community. Extensive work, living and travel abroad has helped him to see first-hand the common threads that unite us. He is excited to bring his experience and passion for education focused around global citizenship to PASA.
