By Delgel Pabalan, Director of STEM Professional Learning and Sally Glusing, Director in the Continuous Improvement and Support Department with San Joaquin County Office of Education

During the CASE conference in Sacramento in November 2024, SJCOE STEM presented the Delta Sierra Science Program (DSSP) in a workshop called Empowering Science Education Leadership. Now in its third and final year, the Science Leadership Team members reflected on their growth as leaders,demonstrating how sustained professional learning transforms educators from classroom experts into powerful agents of systemic change.

DSSP is a three-year regional professional learning community that cultivates teacher leaders by deepening science content knowledge, supporting equity-focused practices, and fostering collaborative leadership. The program strengthened Science Leadership Team (SLT) members’ NGSS-aligned instruction through three-dimensional learning, phenomenon-based teaching, and assessment practices designed to support multilingual learners. Science was positioned as a lever for equity through Universal Design for Learning.



As participants’ confidence grew, many expanded their impact beyond the classroom—facilitating professional learning, launching makerspaces, mentoring new teachers, presenting at conferences, and moving into administrative roles. DSSP also supported teacher leaders in becoming facilitators of professional development through collaborative planning, breakout session design, and conference leadership.

“My leadership growth was initiated and developed through DSSP… I now support multiple sites and mentor new teachers.” – DSSP participant

Many educators initially focused on their own sites, but over time, they identified broader systemic gaps and felt empowered to take action. DSSP provided the tools, encouragement, and network to lead in new contexts.

“DSSP gave me the courage to try and then to do.” – DSSP participant

Through collaboration, reflection, and hands-on experiences, participants redefined leadership as relational and rooted in service. They recognized it as influence, advocacy, and the ability to help others grow.

“I have gained an understanding of what leadership can look like. I am more confident in my abilities as a leader, and I am proud to be one. I leave every DSSP meeting with a boost of confidence that drives me to have tough conversations and make systemic changes.” – DSSP participant

As this DSSP cohort concludes, it leaves behind a ripple effect—an empowered network of science educators who lead with equity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to transforming systems for the better.

About the Authors

Delgel Pabalan is the Director of STEM Professional Learning at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), where she supports educators in strengthening science and mathematics instruction. She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Education, along with a Single Subject Science Teaching Credential, from the University of California, Davis, and later completed her M.A. in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Del began her career as a high school Biology teacher and went on to serve as a STEM curriculum specialist at Tracy Unified School District, where she supported the development and implementation of integrated STEM units across preK–12 and helped connect the district with STEM experts and community partners. Her passion for supporting new teachers led her to the Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ), where she served as the Educator Assessments and Data Coordinator and contributed to professional learning for teacher candidates. Most recently, she helped facilitate the Delta Sierra Science Project, working alongside educators to prepare for their culminating event, the Super Science Saturday conference. Outside of work, Del enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Sally Glusing is a Director in the Continuous Improvement and Support department, at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. Sally first joined SJCOE in 2007 after working as a middle school teacher and teacher leader in Stockton. Over the past 18 years she has developed and facilitated several hundred professional learning sessions for teachers, site and district leaders, instructional coaches, and leaders from every department at SJCOE. Leadership best practices, instructional methodologies, and system improvement have been the primary topics of her professional learning. Sally has been a part of the Delta Sierra Science Project Science Leadership Team, of which she has been the teacher leadership expert, since 2017. In addition to professional learning facilitation, Sally is SJCOE's Regional Lead Facilitator for 21CSLA (California School Leadership Academy) and co-leads SJCOE's ESSA support and Differentiated Assistance district partnerships. Outside of work, Sally enjoys gardening and spending time with her son who is a junior at UC Davis.
 

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