Meet the TCSJ Leadership Team
Experts in their field
Teachers College of San Joaquin purposefully selects our staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Specific attention is paid to finding and selecting skilled practitioners whenever possible. We believe that a teacher's college should promote best practice and validate experts in the field. As a result, our staff and faculty includes teachers, principals, district and county officials, industry leaders, and academics. When choosing staff and faculty, experience and scholarship are weighted equally. We value both our fulltime and our affiliate faculty members.
Girlie Hale, M.Ed.
President | ghale@sjcoe.net
Girlie Hale has 25 years of experience in education. Hired in 1997, she has served as a Teacher, Program Specialist, Math Coach, Assistant Principal, and ultimately a Principal for 12 years at PK-8th grade schools in Stockton Unified School District. During her tenure with SUSD, she was involved in the Teacher Induction Program (formerly BTSA), starting as a beginning teacher, provided support as a peer coach and site mentor, became a support provider, and continued her advocacy as an Induction Leadership representative for the district. She joined TCSJ in 2008 as an adjunct instructor for the Administrative Services Credential Program with TCSJ's Graduate Studies program. She was then hired as a Coordinator for the IMPACT Program in 2017, where she coordinated intern support in collaboration with supervisors within the educational field. In January 2022, she started her position as President of TCSJ.
Girlie earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies/Psychology and a Multiple Subject teaching credential from California State University, Stanislaus; and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Administrative Services Credential from the University of the Pacific. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Transformative Action in Education from the University of the Pacific.
Crescentia Thomas, Ed.D.
Director of Graduate Studies | cthomas@sjcoe.net
Dr. Crescentia Thomas has over 20 years of educational experience. During her 13 years as a resource specialist, she worked with students with exceptional needs, assisted in administrative duties at the school site, mentored novice teachers, and collaborated with the curriculum department in her district to design professional development for special education teachers. As a resource specialist, she became knowledgeable in incorporating a variety of accommodations and modifications into lesson plans, collaborating with K-8 teachers and program specialists, and advocating for students. Crescentia joined Teachers College in August 2010 as an instructor in the master's core and taught in the Education Specialists and Pre-Service cohorts. She became a full-time advisor/coordinator in August 2014 and director of the Graduate Studies department in December 2019.
Crescentia earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of San Diego, an M.A. in Education (Special Education) from California State University, Sacramento, an Administrative Services Credential from CSU, Stanislaus, and an Educational Doctorate from the University of the Pacific.
Michele Badovinac, M.A.
Director, IMPACT Programs | mbadovinac@sjcoe.net
Michele Badovinac has spent over 25 years in education. She has been a Spanish teacher, department chairperson, mentor teacher, AVID teacher and site coordinator as well as a National AVID Staff Developer. In 2001, she began working at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) as a Regional Coordinator for AVID and in 2005 she became the Regional Director. Following her tenure with AVID, she worked as the Director of K-12 Outreach for Cal-PASS Plus, where she not only provided K-12 expertise and perspective, but collaborated on efforts to align P-20 education systems. These roles have enabled her to collaborate with educators across the state and to provide leadership and professional learning opportunities for administrators, counselors and teachers. Before joining the TCSJ team in 2016, Michele served as a Coordinator of Regional System of District and School Support for two years where she designed & facilitated customized professional learning for Title I districts and schools and provided support for instructional leaders.
Michele earned her B.A. in Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1988 and one year later received a Single Subject Spanish Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University. In 1992, she received her M.A. with a concentration in Secondary Education from San Francisco State and went on to earn her Administrative Services Credential in 2005 from St. Mary's College.
Danielle (Silva) Daubin, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Preliminary and Clear Administrative Services, M.Ed. Advisor | ddaubin@sjcoe.net
Danielle Daubin has served in education for over 20 years. Before joining the TCSJ team, Danielle spent ten years in the classroom and four years as the principal of a K-8 elementary school. In the classroom, she has taught everything from English to art and worked with students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. Half of her career was spent in the public-school sector while the other half in private school. Danielle was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the County Office of Education for her dedication to education and her students.
Danielle earned her B.A. in English from California State University, Sacramento and Single Subject Teaching Credential from University of the Pacific. She earned her Administrative Services Credential in 2012 and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 2013 from Teachers College of San Joaquin. She is working on her doctorate in Transformational Leadership with University of Massachusetts Global.
Delgel Pabalan, M.A.
Coordinator, Educator Assessments and Data | depabalan@sjcoe.net
Delgel Pabalan has been a high school science teacher before joining Teachers College of San Joaquin. She taught all levels of biology from Biology ELL to IB Biology and AVID. Del was a member of her school site's leadership team helping with the WASC accreditation process. She also served as a mentor to new teachers in the district before becoming a Curriculum Specialist. In the course of this work, Del supported the implementation of the district's core curriculum: science, math, and ELA through their STEM units. She built and expanded on community partnerships to conduct monthly STEAM activities for students and bring STEM professionals into teachers' classrooms.
Del earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Education in 2010 and her Single Subject Science Teaching Credential in 2012 from the University of California, Davis. In 2018, she earned her M.A. in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
DOUGLAS PITNEY, M.A.ED.
Coordinator, IMPACT Programs, Lead Support Supervisor | dpitney@sjcoe.net
Prior to coming to TCSJ Douglas taught Earth Science and Social Science at Hayward High School for ten years where he served as the Science Department Chairperson. He worked at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton where he taught Social Science and then moved into the role of Instructional Coach where he focused on new teacher support and staff professional development. He worked with subject-matter teams on curriculum development and student learning data analysis, was an induction mentor, and served on the school's leadership team.
Douglas earned his B.S. from Lyndon State College in Vermont, his Single Subject Teaching Credential from California State University East Bay, and his Administrative Services Credential, and M.A. in Educational Administration from Concordia University Irvine.
Elizabeth Jara, Ed.D.
Coordinator, IMPACT Programs | ejara@sjcoe.net
Beth Jara has multiple subject and education specialist credentials and is currently in her 20th year of teaching in a special education setting. Her professional expertise includes working with emotional disturbance and mental health diagnoses for grades 7 - 12 students. She can support and advise candidates who are studying all implications and considerations of an education specialist. Beth's research interests include reflexivity, analysis and change of philosophical and theoretical programming practices for students with emotional disturbance, resilience building, academic and social-emotional outcomes for ED students, effects of education specialist teacher training and preparation, systems theories for student outcomes and retention of quality teachers, SWPBIS, and MTSS.
Elizabeth has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Special Education from University of the Pacific, a M.A. in Special Education from CSU Sacramento, and is currently working on her doctorate in Specialized Educational Leadership with a cognate in Curriculum and Instruction from University of the Pacific.
Karin Compise, Ed.D.
Coordinator, Residency at TCSJ | kcompise@sjcoe.net
Dr. Karin Compise has over 20 years of classroom teaching experience in Stockton. Part of that time was spent in the primary grades and the last 14 years were in intermediate and middle school settings. Karin is passionate about doing whatever it takes to not only meet students' needs in the classroom but inspire students to be curious, confident, life-long learners. Some of Karin's educational interests are project-and inquiry-based learning, empowering teachers to take (responsible) risks, and constantly questioning the status quo. Karin is an instructor in both the graduate as well as the MIAA program at TCSJ.
In addition to her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and her Administrative Services Credential, Karin holds a B.A. in Psychology from CSU Stanislaus, a M.A. in Teaching from National University, a M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Leadership from TCSJ, a Mathematics Instructional Added Authorization (MIAA) from TCSJ, and an Ed.D from the University of the Pacific.
Katie Burns, ED.D.
Accreditation Liaison Officer and Institutional Evaluator | kburns@sjcoe.net
Katie manages STEM and Environmental Literacy M.Ed. programs for Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ). She also serves as a full time faculty member and researcher, providing program assessment support to the college. Prior to joining TCSJ in 2015, Katie worked in central California K-12 school districts for ten years as a math/science teacher and academic coach. Outside of her work, Katie serves as a community volunteer, supporting a variety of science-focused events for students in the region. She is inspired by the pursuit of knowledge, especially in topics connected with math and science.
Katie earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She holds two master's degrees (Educational Inquiry and STEM) from Teachers College of San Joaquin, and in June 2019, Burns earned her doctorate in education from University of the Pacific where her research focused on communities of practice among teachers in rural schools.
Katie Turner
Recruitment, Marketing, and Communications Manager | kturner@sjcoe.net
Katie Turner began working at TCSJ in 2012 as a Staff Secretary in the admissions department. In 2014, she became the College & Community Liaison and was recently promoted to the Recruitment, Marketing, and Communications Manager in February of 2020. Prior to joining the TCSJ team, Katie worked in administration for a financial consulting company, and worked for ACES ABA, where she provided individual therapy for children with autism.
Katie received her B.A. in Communications from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Lisa Reece, M.Ed.
Coordinator, IMPACT Credentials, Single Subject | lreece@sjcoe.net
Over the last 15 years, Lisa has served in a variety of capacities including high school English and AVID teacher, Lead Teacher and AVID Coordinator, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal at a K-8 school, and TCSJ Instructor. In 2020, she became the IMPACT Programs Single Subject and CTE Programs Coordinator. Lisa believes in building relationships with students and educators and a deep-rooted philosophy that ALL children should feel challenged at all times, while at the same time, ensuring they feel included and valued. Children should be the center of the education process. As a leader and educator of teachers, she feels enormous pressure to build within teachers a core belief that they are simply the guide on a child's journey through education.
Lisa earned her B.A. in Social Science from Chapman University in 1999. In 2003, she earned her Juris Doctorate from Humphreys College School of Law. She became an intern at TCSJ in 2006 and earned her single subject preliminary credential in 2008. Additionally, Lisa received her Administrative Credential in 2019 and is currently completing her Ed.D in Educational Leadership at Grand Canyon University.
Louise Gammon, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Service Program | lgammon@sjcoe.net
Prior to coming to TCSJ, Louise Gammon served as an elementary educator for more than twenty years. Her experience includes teaching Reading Recovery, serving as mentor, master teacher, and Teacher Induction Support Provider. Louise started working at TCSJ in 2007 as a visiting educator and in 2013 she was hired as the college registrar in the Admissions Department. Louise is currently working in the IMPACT Department as the Pre-Service Program Coordinator.
Louise earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento and has a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from University of Pacific. Additionally, Louise has a Multiple Subject teaching credential and an Administrative Services credential.
Michelle Jones, M.Ed.
Coordinator, IMPACT Credentials, Multiple Subjects | mjones@sjcoe.net
Michelle has been dedicated to education for over 30 years. Prior to working at TCSJ, she taught Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten in Oakdale, California. She served as grade level chair, curriculum council and supported instruction in the after school program at Oakdale Joint Unified School District (OJUSD). Along with volunteer parents, Michelle brought Art Corps, a Fine Arts program to the district, that gave TK -6 students the opportunity to experience Fine Art. Michelle also served on the California Kindergarten Association for many years and finished her term as President in 2020. She has identified that for her, the most critical instructional practices are: building relationships with students, parents and the school community.
Michelle earned a B.S. in Liberal Studies from California State Stanislaus as well as a minor in Child Development with a Director's Center permit. She has a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Professional Clear Credential, CLAD certificate, and a GATE certification. In 2017, Michelle graduated from TCSJ with her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education.
Stephanie Gase
Admissions Supervisor & Student Accounts | sgase@sjcoe.net
Stephanie joined Teachers College of San Joaquin in June 2014 as the Student Accounts advisor and was promoted to Admissions Supervisor in August of 2018. She has worked for the San Joaquin County Office of Education for over 10 years and has over 25 years of accounting and customer service experience. Previously, Stephanie worked in the Mortgage and Medical Industry.
Stephanie's education is in Accounting.
