Educator Advisory Board 

Born with an inherent passion for education, my journey in shaping young minds commenced in 1996 when I stepped into the world of teaching high school mathematics. Transitioning into an administrative role in 2015 as the Superintendent of Geyserville Unified School District was a pivotal moment. It allowed me to broaden my impact, not just within a classroom but across an entire school community. As a high school administrator, I sought to innovate and implement progressive educational strategies that would empower both students and faculty. In 2023, my efforts were recognized and honored with the prestigious NorCal Public Media Food and Wine Award for Farm-to-Community Leadership. This accolade not only acknowledged my professional contributions but also highlighted the importance of connecting education with community and real-world experiences.My approach to education is focused on innovation, constantly seeking ways to blend traditional knowledge with contemporary tools and methodologies.

Sharon has been immersed in the field of education for her entire career, spanning public and private school teaching in 2 countries.  After teaching for almost 10 years she transitioned to School Counseling followed by School Administration.  Sharon holds 2 bachelor's degrees from Brown University in Biology and Hispanic Literature and Culture, and a Master's Degree from Sonoma State University in School Counseling.  Sharon was an administrator at Windsor's Two-Way Bilingual Immersion School, Cali Calmécac Language Academy, for 9 years and worked one year as Windsor Unified School District's Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services.  Currently, Sharon is a Director at the Sonoma County Office of Education in the department of School Culture and Partnerships.

Dana Pedersen serves as the new Community-Based Schools Coordinator for the Guerneville School District.  Priorly,  Ms. Pedersen served 7 years as the district’s Superintendent, where outdoor education, school garden programs, community partnerships, and a college-going/career-oriented atmosphere have laid the foundation for the district’s newly launched community-based school model centered around whole student health opportunities for the families of west Sonoma County. Her passion for problem-based learning and social action projects began over 25 years ago as a bilingual teacher and later principal in the Roseland School District (Santa Rosa, CA).