Our Staff

Jan Half, Program Director

Jan Half is a former middle school teacher who has been working with schools for 20 years. Jan's 34-year career experience also includes: California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP) Regional Director, K-12 Educational Technology Sales Consultant, Sears Technology Services Data Network Services Marketing Representative, and Non-Profit School/Business Partnership Manager. Jan received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern University, and a Masters in Career and Adult Education from Northern Illinois University. Jan is active on the boards and committees of various educational nonprofits, including Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), CA League of Middle Schools (CLMS), and Computer Using Educators (CUE).

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Juanita Croft, Program Coordinator

Juanita Croft has worked at Foothill College for 29 years. Her work included managing and coordinating instructional computer labs for the Computers, Technology and Information Systems (CTIS) Division, as well as supervising, organizing and training the staff. Before becoming the supervisor for the department, she provided instructional lab support to students and system setup and maintenance support in the labs. As a faculty member, she taught classes in computers and related technologies, including teaching and supervising at-risk high school students during the summers in a summer youth employment program sponsored by the CTIS Division.

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Iris Clyne, Program Coordinator

Iris brings a broad set of skills to her work as MOUSE Squad of California program coordinator. After 11 years in the classroom as a secondary school science teacher, Iris transitioned to her current role as an education consultant. Her focus is the use of digital technology to expand and enhance core curriculum while providing educators with the skills they need to engage students in authentic learning. She is the creator of Apple's OS Help Desk course, which teaches high school students how to start and manage a tech support program for their school and community. She currently supports MOUSE Squad faculty advisors through teaching strategies and curriculum ideas that augment the MOUSE Squad experience.

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Kathleen Lynn, Corporate Connections & Volunteer Coordinator

Kathleen Lynn was the marketing and operations manager of a small marketing firm for 3 years, where she directed client relations, recruitment, and event coordination. Kathleen was also a Research Assistant at Santa Clara University for 7 years. Her published research includes: analysis of the effect of Web site content design on young girls' attitudes toward computers; content analysis of the portrayals of information and communication technology (ICT) on Web sites aimed at girls; assessment of the extent to which Web sites aim to develop young people's abilities to engage with ICT as a vehicle for civic participation through content and interactivity; and analysis of the design of digital games for leadership and other types of citizenship and for civic learning.

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Sharian Lott, Southern California Coordinator

Sharian Lott started her career in Information Technology as a keypuncher at Electronic Data Systems in 1977. Her experience includes programming at the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Department, United States Congress and IBM. She was also a Systems Engineer with IBM Systems Integration where she specialized in RISC system technology, artificial intelligence software, project management, and corporate training. Since 1989, Sharian has had extensive experience as a teacher in both elementary schools and community colleges. She is currently a Professor in the Business Information Technology department in the San Diego Community College District.

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Rosemarie Dias, Central Valley Coordinator

Rosemarie Dias has been a credentialed and highly qualified educator in California public schools for 25 years and brings a broad range of classroom teaching experience and skills (grades K to adult), including technology, general / instrumental music as well as English as a Second Language. In previous roles as a Mouse Squad certified trainer and instructor in the Central Valley and Bay Areas, she brings a wealth of experience and skills with respect to managing and training student technical teams at both middle school and high school levels. As a result of earning her masters in Instructional Technology, Rosemarie advocates the incorporation of project-based learning into the K-12 curriculum and recognizes the value an interdisciplinary approach provides students at all levels. She is also a former IISME Fellow and conference presenter who has received several awards from that organization including Outstanding Education Transfer Plan and Outstanding Veteran Fellow.

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Candy Bandong, Special Projects

Candy Bandong has been a computer teacher and resource at Aragon High School in San Mateo for 11 years. Motivated by a passion to learn 21st century technical skills, she continues to innovate and use cutting edge tools in technology, pursue professional development opportunities with IISME, (Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Educators), Google Teacher Academy, Alice.org (Object Embedded Programming Software) and other organizations. With a masters degree in Educational Technology and Leadership, she also  is able to provide professional development opportunities for teachers using online resources and curriculum.

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Alan Schaevitz, Webmaster

Alan Schaevitz retired in 2004 from a 20-year career as a Network Communications Consultant with several Fortune 1000 clients. He started his career as a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Laboratories. He subsequently transferred to Pacific Bell and was the Group Manager for Network Communications Services for their Accounting Department. In 1980, Alan became Vice President of Global Network Planning for Bank of America before leaving in 1985 to establish his network consultancy. Alan provides web design and support for several non-profit organizations as a volunteer.

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