A Chico State University graduate, Berta is a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and education, with over 10 years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation, working in natural reserves, and teaching.

With a knack for teaching, she enjoys inspiring young minds through creative and interactive methods, believing that college-level science concepts can be grasped at a young age. Her ultimate goal is to instill a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world's diverse wildlife in future generations, fostering exploration, learning, and conservation efforts.

As many of you already know, Berta welcomed the arrival of her own young scientist in Fall ‘23 and is excited to teach her all about the Biology with Berta goal: Explore, Learn, Conserve.

Ronja Steinbach is a graduate student at Moss Landing Marine Labs, where she studies microbes in Elkhorn Slough and their potential role in removing excess heavy metals following the Vistra fire.

She is passionate about helping students explore the natural world through hands-on, practical learning. Ronja has experience in education and outreach with organizations such as the National Park Service in Guam and the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Alaska.

She especially enjoys sharing her love for marine science, one of her favorite topics is photosynthesis and plankton. Fun fact: In her free time, Ronja enjoys scuba diving and running!

Mr. Jey is currently studying at Hartnell College and has a lifelong passion for wildlife and the natural world.

As a California Naturalist, he brings a strong foundation in ecology, conservation, and local ecosystems, helping students connect hands-on science learning to the world around them.

He loves watching students grow from curious learners into confident thinkers, and he believes STEM should feel engaging and empowering.

Fun fact: outside the classroom, Mr. Jey is a classically trained chef (and recently placed 2nd in a cooking competition that aired on TV!), and in his free time he enjoys playing piano and working on his project car.

Meet Angelo, your go-to math tutor who’s as good with numbers as he is with a BBQ grill! He’s a proud veteran, former high school math teacher, and avid dachshund lover.

Angelo now serves on the Monterey County school board, keeping education as sharp as his grilling skills—and yes, this wise guy was also Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2006.

When he's not helping students ace their math exams, he's busy being a super dad to his three kids or serving up some mean BBQ.

So, when election time rolls around, remember: vote for Angelo, you know he’s got the numbers to back it up!

Many of you may already know Ms. Isabel from the Monterey County homeschool community, where she’s a familiar face and a dedicated leader.

As the Outreach Coordinator at Owl STEAM Academy, she brings over six years of teaching experience and a big heart for creating fun, meaningful learning experiences for kids. In her role, she supports our programming behind the scenes through community outreach, event planning, activity development, and overall coordination that helps bring Owl STEAM opportunities to families across the area.

When she isn’t helping with our programs and outreach, she’s busy homeschooling her own student and staying involved in a variety of events and activities throughout the community.

Zach began with Biology with Berta as a student and continues to take classes today.

Now, he’s bringing that same curiosity and enthusiasm to our program by supporting lessons and students from behind the scenes.

Whether he’s helping prep materials, assisting with activities, or jumping in wherever he’s needed, Zach helps keep things running smoothly so our students can focus on exploring, creating, and learning.

Piper has been connected to Owl STEAM since the very beginning. Over the years, Berta taught her siblings weekly, and that relationship naturally grew into a close family friendship.

She enjoys helping students explore new topics through activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

Her favorite field of science is meteorology, and she loves studying weather and the forces that shape the world around us. In her free time, she also enjoys drawing and expressing her creativity.

She is currently studying Business Administration at Monterey Peninsula College and plans to transfer to San Jose State University in the coming years.

As a homeschooling parent, Ms. Lacy loves helping children grow in confidence as they explore, create, and discover new ideas.

With a background in finance and years of teaching, she brings a warm, creative, and encouraging presence to the classroom. She is passionate about art, nature-based learning, and creating meaningful experiences that help students connect with the world around them.

Ms. Lacy strives to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking creative risks, trying new things, and growing in confidence.

Outside of teaching, she enjoys making art, cooking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Michele is the newest addition to our team. Bio coming soon!