Sabina Giakoumis

Biography

Sabina Giakoumis, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in the CalTeach program and the Department of Education at the University of California, Irvine, and serves as Teacher on Special Assignment and Project Coordinator of the Magnolia Agriscience Community Center in the Anaheim Union High School District. She received a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Cultural and Curricular Studies from Chapman University in 2016. At UC Irvine, Giakoumis teaches courses including Science Methodology, Complex Pedagogical Design, and Reading and Writing in the Math and Science Classroom, and supervises single subject science credential candidates in their student teaching placements.

Giakoumis leads the development of educational, sustainable agriculture, and community-based initiatives at a 2.5-acre regenerative urban farm, focusing on youth leadership, food justice, and sustainable land stewardship. Her work in this area has been recognized with the City of Anaheim Public Utilities Sustainability Award in 2023 and the California Democracy School Civic Learning Initiative Award in 2019/2020. She was named Anaheim Union High School District Teacher of the Year for 2021/2022. Prior to her current role, she served as Science Department Chair at Magnolia High School from 2017 to 2022, where she taught for fifteen years in subjects including Health Science, Anatomy/Physiology, and Biology.

Giakoumis has presented at national and regional conferences on topics including garden-based learning, food justice, environmental stewardship, and science literacy strategies. Her scholarly work includes a 2016 publication in the Newsletter of the California Council of Teacher Educators examining the opportunities and obstacles of collaborative efforts between universities and public school districts in teaching integrated science education. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the California Teachers Association, and the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Education

• Ph.D. in Education, Chapman University, 2016
• M.A. in Teaching, Chapman University, 2007
• B.A. in Kinesiology, Chapman University, 2002

Distinctions

• California Democracy School - Civic Learning Initiative Award, 2019-2020
• OC Human Relations High School Social Justice Award, 2011
• Anaheim Union High School District Teacher of the Year, 2021-2022
• Magnolia High School Teacher of the Year, 2012-2013, 2021-2022
• City of Anaheim Public Utilities - Sustainability Award, 2023