Our Staff

Megan McLean
Primary Grades Teacher
Meg graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Psychology. She has extensive experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers as a Preschool Director and teacher for 15 years. As she worked with children and families, she began identifying children who needed the extra support or services. In 2015, she went back to school to obtain her MA degree and credential in Early Childhood Special Education, Mild/Moderate,  with added authorization in Autism. She loves spending time with her family and her cat, Olivia, as well as reading and exercising.

Anie Cooper
Elementary Teacher
Anie graduated from CSU Fullerton with a B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development and an M.A. in Education. She holds Multiple Subject and Special Education credentials. Anie has worked at Mardan since 2005, starting as a teaching assistant while going to school to earn her teaching credentials. Her favorite thing about teaching at Mardan is the opportunity to teach children with different needs and figure out the best and most effective ways to help them learn. She is a wife and the mother of two energetic and loving little girls.

Antoinette Bergstedt
Elementary Teacher

Bio pending.

Zach Stein
Middle School Teacher
Zach graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2014. He started working at Mardan after graduating and fell in love with the school and the students. Since joining the Mardan family he attended California State University Fullerton where he earned his Special Education credentials and Masters in Special Education. In his free time, Zach enjoys playing sports, watching movies, and going to the beach.

Jon Farmer
Middle School Teacher
Jon loves teaching middle school students and feels that he is custom built for the job. As a younger man, he faced many personal challenges and hurdles in his educational experiences, and these have helped to deepen his compassion and commitment to his students. He has earned degrees in a variety of fields (A.A. in Horticulture, B.A. in Sociology, M.S. & Clear Credential in Special Education), and tries to impart his love of learning and life, and his curiosity to all of his students.

Anastasia Burchette
High School Teacher
Anastasia is a retired Tustin Unified School District special education teacher. She possesses a Master of Science in Special Education degree from National University, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and an Education Specialist Teaching Credential. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California School of Business at age 19. She enjoys fashion, inspirational reading, and nonfiction writing.

Stephanie Alagna
High School Teacher
Stephanie graduated from CSU Fullerton with a B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development in 2009. She fell in love with working with kids with special needs during her time volunteering at an Easter Seals summer camp, and went on to earn her M.A. in Special Education and Autism Certification at Claremont Graduate University. Stephanie worked at Mardan as she was earning her degree, then took a break as she and her husband grew their family to four daughters. She has since returned to Mardan, excited to meet new students and create a positive space for everyone!

Sarah Riggs
Teaching Assistant
Sarah is currently working to obtain her certification in American Sign Language. She has 3 children between the ages of 5 and 10. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys crocheting, going to the beach, cooking with her children and jogging. She loves her job because of the difference she makes every day!

Andie Reyes
Teaching Assistant
Bio pending.

Eric Martiny
Physical Education Teacher
Eric has a B.S. in Physical Education, Health Education, and Coaching as well as an M.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Curriculum Development and Adapted Physical Education. He has been a part of the Mardan family since 1995. He enjoys participating in a variety of physical activities and strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle. His favorite Vince Lombardi quote is: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

Dana Stein
Art Coordinator
Dana earned her B.F.A. in Graphic Design from San Diego State University in 1985 and began working at Mardan in 1987. She enjoys helping her students channel their inner artist! In her free time, she likes to take long walks and spend time with her family.

Ashley Grampp
Speech & Language Pathologist
Ashley is excited to be a part of the Mardan School team. Prior to joining Mardan, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a private practice. Ashley received her Bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton, and Master’s degree from Chapman University. Outside of work, Ashley loves to spend time with her husband, new daughter, and two dogs. They enjoy watching sports, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing at home.

Peter Candela
Marriage & Family Therapist
Bio coming soon.

Kerrie Rowe
Occupational Therapist
Bio coming soon.

David Eisenman
Founder and Executive Director Emeritus
David is a native of Southern California and the Founder of Mardan. He received his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from USC and is a member of the University Cardinal and Gold. He holds a Lifetime Teaching Credential from the state of California. He looks forward to challenges and opportunities ahead. Fight on!

Terrie Gero-Smead
Director of Finance & HR
Terrie attended UC Santa Barbara and has a B.A. in Business Economics. She is a certified public accountant and, since 1991, has loved working with the staff at Mardan to make a difference in the lives of students and their families. She has a husband, and three adult children; a daughter and two sons. She also has two loveable rescue dogs and three cuddly rescue cats. When not working, she loves spending time with her family and friends, gardening, reading, playing with the animals, and spending time at the beach. She is also involved in special needs sports.

Eunice Lee
Administrative Coordinator
Eunice is an Orange County native who graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English Literature (GO BRUINS!). Mardan was intended to be a temporary first post-college job but she loved the people and mission so much she ended up staying. She feels grateful to be able to work with such a wonderful community of students, families, and fellow staff. When not at Mardan, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying out new restaurants, and researching her next travel destination.

Allison Lockwood
Accounting/Business Support
Allison has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  She has worked in various Accounting jobs since she graduated.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and vacationing with her husband and two boys.

Richard Schnetzer
Coordinator of Business Services

Richard has worked more than 40 years with the Mardan in various capacities. He continues to assist part-time as Coordinator of Business Services. He is Past-President and Founder of the Childs-pace Foundation in Costa Mesa, a California State Department of Education funded child-care program serving children in low-income families with working parents. Active in special education policy groups and organizations throughout the State, Richard serves on the California Department of Education Special Education Personnel Qualifications Workgroup. Richard is also a Member Emeritus of the Board for The Institute for Effective Education. Twice a President of the California Association of Special Education Schools (CAPSES), he continues to consult to the association’s Government Affairs Committee.

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