Meet Our Staff 2011-2012
Administrative Staff
Mark Nolan | Director
Mark is a graduate of UC Davis with a B.S. in Zoology and a Secondary Science Teaching Credential and Administrative Credential from San Jose State. Mark taught as a Naturalist for 12 years, founded and directed the Pigeon Point Environmental Education Program, and served as the Executive Director for Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools. Mark is one of the original and active members of the Banana Slug String Band. He has helped to bring about positive changes to SMOE as well as an enjoyable working relationship with the staff. Mark is returning to SMOE for a 15th year. Mark has two children: Hannah who is 20 and Shea who is 15. He enjoys music and plays guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and bass. Mark also likes gardening, cooking and reading books on natural history. Mark's nature name at outdoor education is "Marine Mark".
Steve Van Zandt | Program Manager/Principal
Steve is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara in Environmental Studies/Geography. He received a multiple subject teaching credential from San Francisco State and an Administrative Credential from San Jose State. Steve worked as a Naturalist at SMOE and at Exploring New Horizons. He also worked as a Naturalist at Youth Science Institute and as a Co-Director/Intern Coordinator at Hidden Villa. Steve was also a Co-Manager for the Pigeon Point Youth Hostel. He has been a classroom teacher (for kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade) and a Life Lab/ESL teacher (for K-7). He is a founding and active member of the Banana Slug String Band. Steve is returning to SMOE for a 19th year. He has three children: Nathan 24, Colin 21, and Skyler 21. Steve enjoys music, writing, poetry, Ping-Pong, vegetarian/vegan cooking, surfing and swimming under waterfalls. Steve's nature name at outdoor education is "Solar Steve."
Mika Yamawaki | Outdoor Education Administrative Assistant
Mika was born and raised in the Bay Area. She is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a B.S. in Ethnic Studies and received her teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Mika taught 2nd grade for three years and has tutored high school students. She has worked at a non-profit organization that created free curriculum on how to build a business and how to be an entrepreneur and manage money. Mika has also worked at San Mateo County Office of Education in the Beginning Teacher Support and Assistance (BTSA) program. She loves to garden and watch her flowers bloom, experiment in cooking multi ethnic foods, dance, read, and travel. Mika has backpacked through Mexico, kayaked in New Zealand, snorkeled in the waters of Hawaii, climbed the Great Wall of China, and zip lined through the rainforest of Guatemala. She is passionate about learning new things and enjoying life. She is returning to San Mateo Outdoor Education for her 5th year. Mika's nature name is "Maple."