2017-2018 OCASP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Giniena is currently working at Cerro Villa Middle School within the Orange Unified School District. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UC Riverside and her Masters in Educational Psychology with a PPS credential at Alliant International University. She embarked in the field of working with children with special needs as a 1:1 Behavioral Therapist for children with Autism then as an instructional assistant in Irvine Unified and Tustin Unified School Districts. Giniena is in her seventh year with Orange Unified and though she has worked with elementary and high school students, she has learned that her favorite age to work with are middle school students. She is currently one of the proud co-advisors for S.A.G.A. (Sexuality and Gender Acceptance) - the first club for LGBTQ students at the middle school level in Orange - which promotes acceptance, equality, and support for all. She also enjoys working on mindfulness techniques with her staff and students and continuously promotes healthy mental well-being for her team.

On her days off, Giniena enjoys going to the beach and traveling with her husband, one-year-old son, and their twelve-year-old dog. If you would like to contact Giniena, you may email her at giniena.tan@gmail.com

Dr. Ashley Stewart is currently in her fifth year as a school psychologist with the Huntington Beach Union High School district. She is assigned to the district’s Compass Center, providing educationally related mental health services (ERMHS) to students and their families throughout the West Orange County SELPA. After attending Washburn University in Kansas on a softball scholarship, Ashley completed her BA in psychology at California State University Fullerton, and her MA and PsyD at Alliant international University where she wrote and published her doctoral project on sports-related concussions.

Additionally, Ashley works as a lecturer at California State University Long Beach, and has presented at many district trainings on topics related to school mental health, including the DSM 5 and trauma-informed strategies in the classroom. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her friends and family, which include her two dogs, Snoop and Fozzie, traveling, hanging out at dog beach, trying new restaurants, good wine, and catching up on Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix…preferably with good wine.

Jenna Wood works as a school psychologist for multiple sites within the Garden Grove Unified School District.  This is her ninth year with OCASP.  She completed her Master of Arts and Educational Specialist in School Psychology degrees at Chapman University.  In past years, she has presented journal review research on prevention and intervention for selective mutism with Dr. Randy Busse and ABA strategies applied within a three-tiered model at the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) Annual Conventions in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Her paper with Dr. Busse on selective mutism was published in the 2011 issue of Contemporary School Psychology.

Originally from northern California, Jenna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development at UC Davis.  She has an extensive background in ABA with experience as a behavior therapist for children with autism and other developmental delays.  When she is not working, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and traveling the world.

Erin Spillane is in her eighth year as a school psychologist and works in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. She is excited to begin this year as a School Psychologist on Special Assignment for the Career Start program which works to increase the independence of students with disabilities through job skills training and job placement. Erin is also a member of SVUSD’s Crisis Response team.

Erin earned her B.A. in Psychology at UC San Diego and obtained her M.A. in Educational Psychology and PPS in School Psychology at Cal State Long Beach. She initially became interested in school psychology while working as a reading tutor in low income schools in San Diego. She then went on to work with children and families as a one on one ABA therapist for children with Autism and as a substitute teacher. Outside of work, Erin enjoys traveling, trying new food, kickboxing, and going to the beach.

Arpita Mandal is in her seventh year as a school psychologist at El Rancho Charter School in Orange Unified School District. She is also the special education department chair and holds various leadership roles within the school. She received her MA in Educational Psychology and PPS Credential in School Psychology from CSU Long Beach. Arpita received her BA in Psychology and Education from UC Santa Barbara. Go Gauchos!

Arpita is also a part-time lecturer in the school psychology graduate program at CSU Long Beach. She is continuing her eighth year on the OCASP board and her second term serving as the Region IX Representative for CASP. In 2011, she co-authored an article in CASP’s journal, Contemporary School Psychology, discussing Tier III assessments, data-based decision making, and interventions. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, wine, reading and going to the beach.

Dr. Tajara Ross currently works as a school psychologist in Santa Ana Unified School District. This is her 6th year as a psychologist but she has also worked in the field of education previously as a tutor, cognitive skills trainer, and subsitute teacher. Tajara attended UC Irvine for her undergraduate degree where she completed a double major in Psychology & Social Behavior, and Criminology, Law & Society. While at UCI she studied abroad for two years in Madrid, Spain and Paris, France. Tajara completed graduate school at Alliant International University in Irvine, lastly completing the doctorate program in Educational Psychology. Her favorite aspects of her job include working with students with ADHD, social-emotional issues, and students in crisis through PBIS. She is also an advisor for her high school's GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Club. She enjoys mentoring practicum students and interns and hopes to become a professor in the future to continue working with graduate students.

In her spare time, Tori enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, watching sports and listening to live music. This is Tori's third year serving on the OCASP board. If you would like to contact Tori, you may do so at downing.tori@gmail.com. 

Tien is a third year in the school psychology program at Chapman University and will be completing her Ed.S. degree with an emphasis in professional clinical counseling in May 2018. She is also the current president of the Chapman Association of School Psychologists (CUASP). Tien is interning in Saddleback Valley Unified School District at the preschool and elementary levels and running groups for young adults with Autism at The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Tien received her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology from CSU Long Beach. She began working with children as a preschool teacher in Tustin, CA. Her professional interests include supporting mental health in the schools, cultural diversity, and family-school collaboration. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, movies, and spending time with family and friends. 

This is Tien’s first year serving on the OCASP board. If you would like to contact Tien, you can do so at tienvttran@gmail.com