CALIE is pleased to announce that five educators have just earned seats on the 2026-2027 CALIE Board of Directors, stepping in at one of the most pivotal moments in our four-decade history. Voting closed on March 28, and the results reflect a community ready to move forward with clarity, purpose, and excitement for what’s ahead. Please join us in welcoming Rudy Escobar, Michael Bloemsma, Andy Osborn, Hailee Maran, and Marisa Thompson!
This is the first board that will serve entirely under the CALIE name, and these five new board members will be crucial to building what comes next in education innovation. They were elected by our members, and they bring a breadth of experience from classrooms, districts, and county offices across the state.
Your 2026-2027 Board
Rudy Escobar is a STEM and Computer Science Coordinator at Stanislaus County Office of Education in Turlock. He brings years of governance experience from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Computer Science for California (CSforCA), and Central California CUE, where he has served in multiple leadership roles. Rudy currently co-chairs CSforCA and has guided statewide collaboration across education, higher education, nonprofits, and industry partners. His commitment to equitable innovation is exactly what this next chapter calls for.
Michael Bloemsma is Program Administrator for Computer Science at the San Francisco Unified School District. He helped rebuild the CUE San Francisco affiliate from the ground up, growing it from a handful of members to over 500 through partnerships with Apple, Adobe, KQED, and many others. Michael brings more than a decade of affiliate leadership and knows firsthand how to build something lasting.
Andy Osborn is an Ed Tech Instructional Coach at Westminster School District and the current President of Orange County CUE. He brings 25 years of experience in instructional technology and district-level leadership. His focus on equitable AI integration and data-driven professional development will be an asset as CALIE helps educators navigate the next wave of classroom innovation.
Hailee Maran is a teacher at Achieve Charter School of Paradise in Chico. She joins the board with a fresh perspective and a strong classroom voice. Hailee is currently piloting a Student Agency program and presented at the 2026 CATE Conference. Her voice will ground board discussions in the realities and intricacies of today’s classroom challenges and opportunities.
Marisa Thompson is Associate Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Elite Academic Academy in Carlsbad. She served on the San Diego CUE Affiliate Board from 2019 to 2025, including time as Vice President and President, and brings experience with nonprofit sustainability during uncertain times. Marisa understands what it takes to keep a community strong even through times of disruption.
This is a pivotal moment for CALIE. We’re moving forward with new programs, new members, and new ways to engage our community. I am excited to welcome our incoming board members this July, and I know they will be crucial to shaping what comes next.
Chris Hoang, Board President
Building the Next Chapter Together
Our incoming board members will join continuing leaders Chris Hoang, Traci Bonde, Laurie Roberts, and Omar Shepherd. Together, they will carry forward the work of equipping, connecting, and elevating educators across California and beyond, and ensuring we continue to meet educators where they are.
We also want to thank the outgoing board members whose terms end this June. Neda Anasseri, Heidi Carr, Denise Douglas, Tisha Richmond, and Laura Spencer each gave significant time and leadership to this community during a period of real change. We are so grateful for everything they helped build. Thank you!
Rudy, Michael, Andy, Hailee, and Marisa will begin their three-year terms on July 1, 2026. Thank you to every member who voted, and to every nominee who put their name forward. The future of CALIE is in strong hands, and we cannot wait to see what this group builds alongside all of you in the months ahead.
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