Nominated By: School Readiness Team – CFS & Child Family Services Stanislaus County Office of Education Grantee Operated Programs

Jewelee Lemus is a STEM Hero for her visionary leadership in supporting early childhood programs. As a director, she empowers staff by providing professional development, coaching, and resources that strengthen STEAM practices in classrooms. She prioritizes creating meaningful learning experiences for children while engaging families as partners in exploration and discovery. Jewelee fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth, encouraging her teams to implement creative strategies and think outside the box. Through her guidance and advocacy, she ensures that early learners have access to high-quality STEAM experiences, making a lasting impact on children, families, and educators alike.

I am honored to nominate our Head Start Director as a STEAM Hero for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing high-quality STEAM education in our preschool classrooms. Under her direction, STEAM has become a strategic priority across our program. She has intentionally supported comprehensive STEAM training and technical assistance through a strong coaching model, ensuring that education coordinators and coaches are equipped to guide teachers in implementing meaningful, developmentally appropriate STEAM practices. Rather than treating STEAM as an isolated initiative, she has embedded it into ongoing professional development systems, strengthening instructional quality and school readiness outcomes. In addition, she has dedicated resources to ensure classrooms have the materials, tools, and environments necessary to foster inquiry, problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. By investing in hands-on materials, professional learning opportunities, and collaborative partnerships, she has created sustainable systems that empower teachers and inspire children. Her visionary leadership, commitment to continuous improvement, and dedication to expanding equitable access to high-quality STEAM experiences make her truly deserving of recognition as a STEAM Hero for Head Start.