About Us

The STEP (STEM Teacher Education and Preparation) Center at Sonoma State University, led by Co-Directors Dr. Rajeev Virmani and Dr. Ed Lyon, serves as a regional hub for strengthening STEM teacher education. The Center brings together a suite of professional development and financial support programs designed to expand and diversify the pool of highly prepared TK–12 educators who are equipped to teach and integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in classrooms across the North Bay and surrounding communities.

The STEP Center is primarily funded through the CSU Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI), with additional support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Education, Genentech, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and other partners.

Collaborative partnerships are central to the STEP Center’s mission. The Center works closely with regional school districts—including Santa Rosa City Schools and Petaluma City Schools—as well as with SSU’s MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program, the Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC), and faculty from the Departments of Mathematics and Science. Through these partnerships, the STEP Center plays an active role in advancing high-quality STEM education and serving as a leading presence in STEM teacher preparation throughout the North Bay region.