Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panelists

About the Panelists
Amplifying Student Voice: Creating Inclusive Science Learning Spaces
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(Top Row: left to right)

• Nishat Alikhan is an experienced Lower and Middle School educator and administrator with over 16 years of experience. Currently, Nishat is a 7th grade Science teacher and Middle School Science Dept Chair at New Roads School in Santa Monica. Further, she serves as the Tournament Director for the Pacific Coast Debate League and the Rancho California Debate League as part of the Middle School Debate Program. Additionally, she is an active member of the California Association of Science Education's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging subcommittee examining issues around equity in STEM education in California schools. Nishat is also the President of the Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair and an active volunteer in the Home-y Made Meals program, preparing meals for unhoused neighbors in Los Angeles.
• Leena Bakshi - Coming soon
• Bree Barnett Dreyfuss has been teaching physics at Amador Valley High School for 18 years. She earned her B.S. in Physics from CSU East Bay and her M.A. in Teacher Leadership from St. Mary's College in Moraga. Bree is active in the physics teaching community locally and at the national level. Her research interests include gender equity and removing barriers to physics for all students

(Middle row: left to right)

• Jessica Bibbs-Fox, an 8th grade Math, Science, & Coding teacher at a K-8th public school in Compton, CA. As a Compton native, I exert much effort to use my role as a teacher to positively impact my community and shine a light on the greatness that exists within my city. I'm a 2023 DOD STEM Ambassador, an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Teacher, and District Teacher of the Year 2019. Additionally, I serve as the Girls Who Code facilitator and College & Career Day organizer. I am a firm believer in the notion that "education never stops", so I constantly look for ways to continue my education through various professional developments and micro-credentialing opportunities. I have collaborated with Digital Promise and Apple CEI teams to develop lessons and curricula to address STEM purposefully in the classroom. I try to maintain and build a professional learning network with like-minded people around the world through various organizations such as CASE where I currently serve on the DEI committee.
• Nancy Nasr is a science educator and an Assistant Principal for the Santa Paula Unified School District with over a decade of experience in diverse classrooms. Dr. Nasr has not only taught at the secondary level, but also coaches and mentors secondary science educators across school districts to support the implementation of student-centered, constructivist pedagogies in the contemporary science classroom. Dr. Nasr’s continued research interest is anchored in cultural responsiveness in the diverse science classroom as well as student attitudes toward culturally responsive pedagogy. Additionally, Dr. Nasr has an interest in exploring the ways in which the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) of the NGSS can be used to infuse science learning that is situated in phenomena associated with social justice, and empowering students to overcome social injustices through the use of science. Dr. Nasr received her B.Sc. in Microbiology from University of Alberta. She received her M.A.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Northridge and her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Carolina.
• Zoë Randall co-leads the STEAM initiative at San Diego Unified School District, where she cultivates a community of curious, creative changemakers. As a curriculum writer and professional learning facilitator, her experience is grounded in the Next Generation Science Standards, Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning. Zoë earned a B.A. in Visual Arts, Media from the University of California San Diego, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from High Tech High Graduate School of Education, and an Elementary Engineering Education Graduate Certificate from Tufts University. She’s passionate about designing equitable and joyful experiences where all learners flourish.

(Bottom row: right)

• Tara Sikorski - coming soon