Friday, May 23, 2014

Meet the D39C Preschool Teachers!


We are so excited that our students at D39C will have an Arts Residency Program sponsored by by the Wolf Trap and Northrup-Grumman Foundation. Check out more information on the following flyer.

We have four fabulous preschool teachers joining the D39C team!



Paula Cotton
Preschool Teacher

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  Maya Angelou

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Stand-up paddle boarding!

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

YES, it's my favorite part!

Tell us about your superpowers.

I can feed a crowd at a moments notice...from what I have in my home.  I can whip up a sign by the time others can gather their materials to make one.  I can also grow almost anything in my garden.  At this very moment I have tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, eggplant, radishes, onions, corn, green beans, zucchini, cantaloupe, pumpkin.  I also am growing almost 20 fruit trees!

Favorite Board Game(s)

Definitely BLOKUS!

Storms - Cool or Scary?

VERY cool and sometimes scary.

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

The people, for sure!

Who let the dogs out?

My husband, he usually gets up first!  Hahahaha

What makes you laugh?

My own silly jokes!  And when kids say the most amazing things, which is why I LOVE early childhood!

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Kind

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

Seeing how much the children have "grown" from September to June!

What is you totem animal?

A bear

Dream vacation spot?

Beijing

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

The moon

What line or shape do you identify with?

A circle, no beginning, no end, no corners or straight lines, yep, that's me!

Favorite font

Chalkboard and Century Gothic




Maria Fanianos
Preschool Teacher

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Scuba diving

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

No

Tell us about your superpowers.

I speak Spanish, play tennis and love to cook.

Favorite Board Game(s)

Family Feud

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Scary

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

Change and hands on learning.

What makes you laugh?

My preschoolers

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Sweet

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

Seeing my preschool kids grow, laugh and learn

What is you totem animal?

Owl

Dream vacation spot?

Aruba

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

Europe

What line or shape do you identify with?

Square and rectangle

Favorite font

Arial



Michele Janette-Ulrich
Preschool Teacher

"If a child can't learn the way we teach maybe we should teach the way they learn." - Ignacio Estrada

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
- Ghandi. 

I love quotes!

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Scuba diving

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

No

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Traveling abroad

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes, part way.

Tell us about your superpowers.
Being intuitive and empathetic about the feelings of others.

Favorite Board Game(s)
Scrabble and Monopoly

Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Putting the excitement and joy back into teaching and helping children develop a love of learning. Also, being a part of this wonderful team of innovative educators who are so inclusive. As a preschool teacher, I've been at schools where preschool is considered separate and it is refreshing to feel so welcome, wanted and appreciated!

What makes you laugh?
Preschoolers make me smile every day! They can say and do the funniest things! Their innocence and sincerity truly warm my heart. 

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Compassionate

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Watching children grow and learn and knowing I had a hand in that, seeing their excitement when they make discoveries. 

What is you totem animal?
Wolf

Dream vacation spot
On a beach or in Europe

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
To see a working farm






Marie-Claire Jusseaume
Preschool Teacher

"Everyone smiles in the same language."

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Learn to play the guitar and paint.

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

Yes

Tell us about your superpowers.

I have the ability of getting things done even against all odds. Being organized, finding creative solutions.  Fluent in three languages (no credit to me, I picked these up when I was little!)

Favorite Board Game(s)

Sorry!  I love its unpredictable outcome.

Storms - Cool or Scary?

A little scary but very cool!

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

The endless opportunity to tap into our creativity.  How team work is valued and the individual respected.

Who let the dogs out?

My husband did, and I let them back in!

What makes you laugh?

My husband, and the cute things that come out of the mouths of little children.

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

Getting to work with children.  I love getting to see their face light up when they finally accomplish a task that has been especially challenging for them. 

What is you totem animal?

The Dove

Dream vacation spot:

I don’t have to think twice:  definitely Deia, Mallorca. 

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

Paris

What line or shape do you identify with?

The heart.

Favorite font:

Arial.  





Thursday, May 22, 2014

Meet Tomas Jimenez, Diane Lau, Samantha Jacobs, Cindy Spooner, and Tara Appling!

Tomas Jimenez
Custodial Supervisor
Those who would give a up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."   - Benjamin Franklin 

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sky Diving

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes

Tell us about your superpowers.
I sometimes dream I can fly (Superman).

Favorite Board Game(s)
Any type of puzzle

Storms - Cool or Scary?
Super Cool

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The fact that I am going to be working with an excellent team, and seeing the kids' faces when they arrive for the first time to the "new school".

Who let the dogs out?
I've always wondered...

What makes you laugh?
Funny Movies

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Responsible

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Knowing that children will have a safe and clean school.   

Dream vacation spot
Cancun, I have been there but it is still my favorite dream spot..

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Probably to Europe in the early 1900's

What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triange, squiggle, ellipse
Circle

Favorite font
Any Italized




Diane Lau
"We need to be the change we want to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

Previous School:
Highland Ranch

Previous Assignment(s):
Kindergarten

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sky Diving...?

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes!

Tell us about your superpowers.

Golf, painting, animals

Favorite Board Game(s) 

Monopoly, Connect 4, card games- Uno, speed, poker

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Cool!

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

21st century learning!

Who let the dogs out?

My husband...

What makes you laugh?

Jokes

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

ArizonaBasketball

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

To see the joy of learning in children.

What is you totem animal?

Ox

Dream vacation spot

Scotland

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

Outer space




Samantha Jacobs
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
- Dr. Seuss

Previous School:
Monterey Ridge

Previous Assignment(s):
Kindergarten

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Skydiving!

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes!!

Tell us about your superpowers.

I am very patient! Calm and reflective. Collaborative, willing to try (almost) anything once!

Favorite Board Game(s):

Cranium and Scattergories!

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Everything! Allowing children the opportunity to explore learning through real-world applications!

Who let the dogs out?

Definitely not me--I'm a cat person :)

What makes you laugh?

My students...every day!

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Patient

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Making a connection to each child and seeing their smiling faces each morning. Watching them grow and thrive throughout the school year.  

What is you totem animal?

I had to look this one up! A deer!

Dream vacation spot
Cruising the Mediterranean! 

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

The rainforest!

What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triangle, squiggle, ellipse.

Definitely a ~squiggle~!


Favorite font
Tahoma



Cindy Spooner

"Perfection doesn't guarantee success. You don't have to be perfect to succeed."

Previous School:
Chapparel Elementary School

Previous Assignment(s):
5th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Running a half marathon…and then a full marathon

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

Always

Tell us about your superpowers.Organization! I love teaching writing and mathematics and I am also a trained exercise instructor☺

Favorite Board Game(s)

Mall Madness, Life, and Sorry!

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Scary…there is a reason I live in San Diego

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

The collaboration of staff and students to create authentic 21st century learning! WOHOO

Who let the dogs out?

My Puppy, Cash

What makes you laugh?

My adorable nieces and nephews

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Dependable

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

The daily interaction with students and the impact I am able to have in their lives.  Creating relationships and new knowledge that lasts past that one school year!

What is you totem animal?

A wolf

Dream vacation spot?

Poolside on a tropical island

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

Back to the time of the Original 13 colonies during the revolutionary war and the start of our country.

What line or shape do you identify with?

Squiggle

Favorite fontI am font junky…I love downloading new fonts to be creative and keep things exciting!





Tara Lee Appling
Health Technician


"Trouble knocked on the door, but hearing laughter, hurried away"- Benjamin Franklin

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Breakdancing

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

YES

Tell us about your superpowers.Kindness, Spirit, Devotion

Storms - Cool or Scary?
Storms are beautiful!

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

What excites me the most about Design 39 is ALL of the new ways we will learn to SMILE together!!

Who let the dogs out?

WOO WOO!!

What makes you laugh?

Silly Songs....sung by super students!

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Supportive

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

The most rewarding part of my job is how much I have learned from every child.... they have SOO much to share.We should ALWAYS listen...kids know when someone cares.

What is you totem animal?

Bear

Dream vacation spot?

Paris, France

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

I would take my Magic School Bus to OUTER SPACE!!!

What line or shape do you identify with?

SquiGGLe...

Favorite font
Marker Felt Font

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Meet Karen Peterson, Tiffanie Kasner, Julie Mori, Shshawna Rader, & Judy Caraang!

Karen Peterson
“I have not failed.  I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” - Thomas Edison

Previous School:
Rancho Bernardo High School

Previous Assignment(s):
High School Registrar

What is something you’ve always wanted to try? 
Travel to Europe

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Of course…

Tell us about your superpowers.
Organization

Favorite Board Game
Backgammon

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The people – big ones and little ones!   The chance to be part of something that will make the world so much better for our kids!

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Dependable

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Helping this team!

What is you totem animal?
Dog

Dream vacation spot
Europe

Favorite font
Tahoma





Mrs. Tiffanie Kasner
"If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you've always got."

Previous School:
Monterey Ridge Elementary School

Previous Assignment(s):
Kindergarten

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?  
Skydiving/ Scuba diving  (There's just something about jumping into the "unknown" that intrigues me!)

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Always!! And...eat with them with my fingers!

Tell us about your superpowers.
Interior Decorator/Stylist 

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The idea of educating/inspiring children with really knowing what drives "their" interests and who "they" are!

Who let the dogs out?
Definitely...The cats!!

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing my students achieve a sense of confidence to attempt anything.

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Mariana Trench

What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triange, squiggle, ellipse
~ Squiggle all the way!!





Mrs. Julie Mori
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid" ~A. Einstein


"Imagination is MORE important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited; IMAGINATION encircles the world" ~A. Einstein

Previous School:
Mesa Verde Middle School


Previous Assignment(s):
8th Grade Science

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sky Diving

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
YES! Yummy little trees!

Tell us about your superpowers.
Imagination; Playfulness; Willing to Try; Computer Nerd, Being Mom

Favorite Board Game(s)
Monopoly, Rock'em Sock'em Robots; Jenga

Storms - Cool or Scary?
Very Cool...especially with Thunder and Lightening

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Flexible instructional setting, Technology; embedding creativity, collaborating and thinking.

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Enthusiastic

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
The lasting relationships with students, their families and the community

Favorite font
Century Gothic




Mrs. Shshawna Rader

"Map out your future, but do it in pencil." - Jon Bon Jovi

Previous School:
Oak Valley Middle School


Previous Assignment(s):
Resource Specialist

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?Play the guitar

Tell us about your superpowers."Illumination and humorphology" as quoted by a student and a friend

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?An opportunity to learn with students

Who let the dogs out?My three-year-old who unlocks everything

What makes you laugh?People laughing

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?Energetic

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?When a child says to me... "See Mrs. Rader, you can do this too!"

Dream vacation spotRocky Mountains...on a warm summer day by a riverbank

What line or shape do you identify with?Ummmm... squiggle




Mrs. Judy Caraang

"You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose." Dr. Seuss

Previous School:
Park Village Elementary School


Previous Assignment(s):
1st Grade


What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Run a race (maybe a 5K)

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
yes

Tell us about your superpowers.
Hula dancer, baker, enjoying photography, learning to play the ukulele

Favorite Board Game(s) 
Battleship, checkers

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Teaching and learning with "like" minds, leading the change in education, 1:1

Who let the dogs out?
Whoo whoo whoo whoo

What makes you laugh?
Listening to my husband and sons reenact parts of movies, commercials and favorite shows

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Generous

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
I can make a difference

What is you totem animal?
Right now, probably the snake as I'm in the middle of transitions; most of the time, the deer

Dream vacation spot
An over the water bungalow in Tahiti

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Outer space to explore the planets and stars

Favorite font
Comic Sans

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Meet Danny Manalo, Kate Stanley, Kelly Eveleth, & Brenda Gillies!

Mr. Danny Manalo

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."  - Robert Frost

Previous School:
Mesa Verde Middle School

Previous Assignment(s):
6th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?  
Being on the show "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race" for just one episode.

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
I don't like broccoli, and broccoli doesn't like me.

Tell us about your superpowers.
Playing musical instruments (especially the keyboard), four-wheeling, motorcycle/ATVs

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Collective Force of Risk-Takers Centered on Student-Learning in new and creative ways.

What makes you laugh?
Situational comedies where everything that can go wrong does.

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Jack-of-all-trades

What is your totem animal?
Ram's head

What line or shape do you identify with?
Dodecahedron - many sides to me

Favorite font
Arial 12 point, blue, bold and italics





Mrs. Kate Stanley
“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel."  ~Pablo Picasso

Previous School:
Monterey Ridge Elementary School

Previous Assignment(s):
Kindergarten

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Teaching and living abroad

Tell us about your superpowers.

I love teaching literature and social sciences.  I am passionate about art, and using art with the learning of core subject areas.  I love about connecting with each student individually, differentiating and personalizing instruction to meet the needs of all learners.  

Favorite Board Game(s)

I have been playing Rummikub with my family since I was young.  

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

I am so excited to work closely with other teachers, parents, and students to innovate and personalize education for 21st Century learners.  

What makes you laugh?

My kids, just like my students they are full of humor and wit!

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Poised

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

I find my most rewarding moments come when I witness my students' passions for learning come alive.  I live for the "a-ha" moments.

Dream vacation spot?

Anywhere with a beach and without an agenda

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

I think it would be amazing to take a field trip into our own brains.  We would all be fascinated by the inner workings of our minds. 

What line or shape do you identify with?

An ampersand. Why? I am always open to possibility, and find myself looking for the "and," the what's next in each day.  

Favorite font 

American Typewriter





Mrs. Kelly Eveleth
"The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."  - Socrates

Previous School:
Willow Grove

Previous Assignment(s):
5th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?

I would love to travel the world with my family.

Tell us about your superpowers.

Being a mom, playing sports, creating art, working with kids

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

We have the chance to do something very different.  I'm excited to let kids explore their areas of passion and learn at a level and in a way that makes the most sense for them.

What makes you laugh?

Kids are hilarious.

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Creative

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
When kids are fascinated by learning and so excited to go further and learn more. 

Dream vacation spot

I would love to travel through Europe.

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

I would take them back in time to see dinosaurs.

Favorite font

Depends on the purpose.  Nothing too cute.  I'm always looking for unique, creative new fonts.





Mrs. Brenda Gillies
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. " - Dr. Seuss

Previous School:
Del Sur Elementary School


Previous Assignment(s):
5th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?

Sailing

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

Not often

Tell us about your superpowers.

I love reading, small groups, whole class, read alouds, book discussions. Trying new things, looking at situations from different perspectives.

Favorite Board Game(s)

Set, Qwirkle, Suspend

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Cool

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

The potential to change school!  The amazing people & the positive energy they generate.  Knowing that working together we will create limitless opportunities for learning.

Who let the dogs out?

Me - every morning. ;)

What makes you laugh?

My daughter

What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?

Playful

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

Relationships with students, seeing them learn & grow

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?

Everywhere!  Our first trip would be to Sequioa National Park.