The program offers a series of mini-courses designed for people seeking to lead maker activities in schools, clubs, community centers, libraries, and other organizations.
For questions please contact the Program Coordinator, Ryan Kochevar, kochevar@sonoma.edu
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Contact the School of Extended & International Education, at 707.664.2394.
Ryan Kochevar is a talented and passionate educator with more than a decade of experience working in formal and informal learning environments. For the past 6 years he has focused on design and research of teaching and learning in STEM/STEAM rich environments and its intersection with maker education and digital literacies. Ryan completed a thesis of his own research design through Sonoma State University's Master of Education program exploring the relationship between identity and agency in a STEM rich environment that integrated art and technology.
Patricia Amend-EhnPatricia Amend-Ehn earned her teaching credential from Sonoma State University in 1999 and she is currently teaching part-time as a first grade teacher at Kenwood Elementary School. Patricia spends the other part of her week creating interactive activities for her STEAM classes at Kenwood Elementary School. She has spent the past year engaging in the creation of engineering activities for all of her students and has collaborated with the entire staff to implement whole school engineering challenges. She completed the Maker Certificate Program at Sonoma State University in the spring of 2015.
Melissa BeckerMelissa Becker, Principal at Meadow Elementary School, received the Petaluma Community Award for Excellence in Education in May 2014 for her charismatic leadership. She created the first K-5 makerspace in the North bay at Meadow and strives to provide a progressive learning environment for all children.
Susan DonnerSusan Donner is a middle school math and science teacher with 20 years of experience. As a life-long maker, she is passionate about infusing the math and science curriculum with challenges and projects that encourage students to think creatively. She was a member of the inaugural SSU Maker Educator Certificate Program cohort, at which time she and her colleague Gary Jordan developed and implemented the STEAMaker Enrichment course at Piner-Olivet Charter School. The class is currently in its third year. Susan enjoys working with other people who are interested in Making and the Maker mindset. One of her favorite quotes is by Emily Dickinson, "Dwell in possibility."
Gary JordanGary Jordan is in his twenty-fourth year teaching math, science, and technology to students in grades 6 through 8 in the Piner-Olivet School District in Santa Rosa. A lifelong Maker at heart, Gary joined colleague Susan Donner in becoming a certified Maker Educator in 2014. Together they continue to develop and co-teach the Maker Enrichment course at their school, while working to incorporate Making and Project Based Learning into core curriculum.
Carrine J. PaddockCarinne Paddock teaches fourth grade at Oak Grove Elementary in Sebastopol, California. Carinne is part of the first cohort to complete the Maker Certificate Program at Sonoma State University in April, 2015. She started a classroom Maker Space in September, 2014 and promoted the first annual Cardboard Challenge at Oak Grove. Carinne and her principal, Paige Gardner, were astounded by the interest and participation by so many students in this Maker event. She has mentored members of her faculty and administrative staff in Maker philosophy. Carinne has written and received grants to Sebastopol Rotary Club, OGEP, and Donor's Choose for Maker materials that are available to students and teachers school-wide.