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Meet the Physical Education & Physical Activities' Central Office Team |
Michelle Zapata
Physical Education & Physical Activities Director Michelle grew up in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, being a native San Franciscan she attended Longfellow Elementary School, Hoover Middle School, and Lincoln High School. As a young adult she attended UC Berkeley for her Undergraduate and continued on to get her Masters at Saint Mary’s College. She received her credential at California State University, San Francisco. Michelle has always known the importance of being active, in her youth she played and participated in track, volleyball, synchronized swimming, & softball. She went to UC Berkeley receiving a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball. Michelle was inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 2009 and Abraham Lincoln High School Hall of Fame in 2004. As a native San Franciscan she has dedicated herself to work tirelessly for students, teachers and families of San Francisco. In SFUSD she has either taught, coached or been Athletic Director at Potrero Hill Middle School, McAteer High School, Francisco Middle School, Galileo High School (both her parents graduated from Galileo), and Marina Middle School. Most notably she has been a driving force for creating a Physical Education Department in SFUSD that provides on-going teacher support, trainings, funding, equipment, technology, teaching jobs and curriculum for school sites. A once forgotten and neglected subject area within SFUSD Curriculum and Instruction Office has developed into a department of 43 staff members. She has two boys both attending SFUSD schools. Her husband, Francisco Zapata arrived from Nicaragua in his early teens and attended Luther Burbank Middle School, Mission High School, SF City Community College, Laney College, University of San Francisco and Saint Mary's College. Yes, they have been together since high school. 
Desirae Feria
Supervisor K - 5th grade Desirae is a Bay Area native from Hayward, CA. She attended Hayward High School and went onto Sacramento State University on a full-ride scholarship for Women's Soccer. She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education, Masters of Education, and an Administrative Credential. She has been with SFUSD for 11 years. Desirae works closely with the elementary team to provide high-quality Physical Education for all SFUSD students. Her passion for Physical Education goes beyond SFUSD and she has been a CAHPERD Section Chair for the Leadership & Administration Division, as well as, the current Section Chair for their Elementary Physical Education Division. Ultimately, her passion is to help students become confident movers while mastering foundational skills and becoming physically literate. 
Gloria Sagastume
Elementary Implementation Specialist, TSA Gloria Sagastume was born and raised in San Francisco, a city she loves deeply. She attended San Francisco State University where she earned both her undergraduate and Masters of Science degrees in Kinesiology. She has been an Elementary Physical Education Specialist for 10 years, and is passionate about providing elementary students with a quality physical education-one they both need and deserve. Gloria is also passionate about surfing, rock climbing, running, and traveling as much as possible. As a new mom, Gloria looks forward to sharing all of these interests with her son, and looks forward to the day when he will attend school in San Francisco and take part in Physical Education classes that she and SFUSD’s PE Department have helped cultivate. 
Demetria Chi
Elementary Implementation Specialist, TSA Born and raised in San Francisco, Demetria attended Lowell High School where she was named to the All City teams for varsity volleyball, basketball, and track. She graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Human Development and minor in Exercise Science. Demetria has earned a Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration and has been an Elementary PE Specialist with SFUSD for the last 10 years. As an athlete and mother of two she fully supports and understands the importance of providing quality physical education for our youth and is happy to play a role in developing healthy bodies and positive attitudes towards PE and fitness. 
Jennifer Uperesa
Administrative Assistant Jennifer is a first-generation Samoan American. She was born and raised in San Francisco. She attended Charles Drew ES, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School & graduated from ISA High School. She has been with SFUSD for the last 13 years but this will be her second year with the Physical Education department. She is excited to work with a team with so much experience and passion for Physical Education. |
Kristen De Andreis
K-8 Program Administrator Kristen attended San Francisco State University and received a degree in Physical Education. She began her teaching career at Everett Middle School. While at Everett, Kristen continued her education at UC Berkeley where she received a Masters Degree in Education. The best part of her job is working with teachers and watching them inspire their students every day! 
Verna Castro
Program Administrator 9 - 12th grade Verna is a graduate of the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. She has a Masters degree and K-12 PE credential from Stanford University and an administrative credential from UC Berkeley. Verna is a life-long passionate teacher and coach in SFUSD. She begins her 6th year as high school program administrator. Verna's 30-year labor of love teaching/leading secondary physical education and vast diverse leadership experiences have provided leverage and a laser focus of collaborating with staff across disciplines in a mission of "ALL students achieving and enjoying healthy active lifestyles." Verna's greatest professional joys are collaborating for positive change, and seeing her teachers and students engage in experiential learning for meaningful outcomes. Verna’s crowning glory is raising her daughter Shauna who attended SFUSD K-12 and is now an MFT in private practice. Her spare time is spent with her grandson and enjoying outdoor adventures. 
Shenny Diaz
Content Specialist, Secondary Division, TSA Shenny is a Bay Area Native from Daly City, CA. She attended San Francisco University where she obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education and a single subject teaching credential for K-12 Physical Education. This is her first year as a Secondary Content Specialist for Physical Education and her passion is to help engage students in learning experiences that are safe, enjoyable and encourages lifelong participation in physical activity. 
Dachia Williams
Content Specialist, Secondary Division, TSA Unlike most Dachia is a transplant from the east coast. Dachia grew up in State College, Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University. She obtained a B.S. in Kinesiology and has Virginia K-12 Health and Physical Education teaching license, as well a single subject teaching credential in California for Health Science and Physical education. Dachia moved to the bay area two years ago to obtain her Master's degree in Education. The focus of her work was around equity and social justice in the P.E. and Dance classroom. Dachia grew up participating in competitive dance (Dance Moms Style!) and has always loved movement. This is her first year working in the Physical Education & Physical Activities Central Office and is excited to bring her dance background to the office, as well bringing her passion for fitness and movement to the district! 
Mike Prutz
Physical Education & Physical Activity Specialist, TSA Mike is a transplant Connecticut native and joined the PE Office this year to coordinate Special Olympic activities. He received his BS from Springfield College (Massachusetts) and MA in Education from Northern Michigan University. He spent the first part of his career coaching diving at NMU, Cal State Bakersfield and Northern Arizona University before leaving for Australia to coach in the Australian Institute for Sport. Upon returning, he began working in San Francisco for ING Financial Services and then Hotwire.com. However, he returned to teaching and coaching cross-country at Lowell High School for 16 years before joining the Physical Education & Physical Activities Department in the central office. He is excited to work collaboratively with school sites to further their involvement in Special Olympics. 
Theresa Lopez
Administrative Analyst Theresa is a San Francisco native. She attended Chico State University and graduated with a degree in International Relations. She was an avid athlete growing up, and knows the importance of physical education and physical fitness. She enjoys being part of such a supportive and student focused team. This will be her fifth year with the Physical Education & Physical Activities Department. |
