For more D39'er Student Headliners, visit http://d39erstudentheadliner.tumblr.com.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Meet Punita Vakil, Mindy Ahrens, Kyle Kupper, and Jen Zingg!
Punita Vakil
TK-K-1 Teacher
Taboo (the louder the better; you WANT to be on my team!!)
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool as long as you aren't driving in them.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The opportunity to teach with support from the community / family of teachers you work with.
What makes you laugh?
The show FRIENDS (I laugh so hard I can't catch my breath.)
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Thoughtful
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing a child light up when something finally works! I am a new parent and now I get it - I love it when parents tell me they are happy with their kid's progress.
What is your totem animal?
Can you be a turtle? Slow and steady pace, patient, shy
Dream vacation spot:
Greece
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Into the human brain to learn about feelings and actions and reactions
Favorite font
Courier New (simplicity)
Favorite Board Game(s):
Not a board game fan, too slow. I like Rummytiles, Mastermind and Othello.
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
That we are thinking about the students and their needs first and that subjects, skills and grade levels are blended and flexible.
What makes you laugh?
My daughter when she throws teenage temper tantrums.
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?
Showing the world that kids are capable of amazing things.
Dream vacation spot:
Anything with sun and ocean!
What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triangle, squiggle, ellipse
A squiggle because my life never seems to follow the path I have planned.
“Time is your worst and best friend. Whatever is meant to be will be."
Previous School:
HTe Chula Vista
Previous School:
HTe Chula Vista
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
I would love to go to culinary school.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Cooked in the right sauce, sure!
Tell us about your superpowers.
Tell us about your superpowers.
I love creating art with the kids and making learners feel like they are in their home away from home.
.
Favorite Board Game(s):.
Taboo (the louder the better; you WANT to be on my team!!)
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool as long as you aren't driving in them.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The opportunity to teach with support from the community / family of teachers you work with.
What makes you laugh?
The show FRIENDS (I laugh so hard I can't catch my breath.)
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Thoughtful
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing a child light up when something finally works! I am a new parent and now I get it - I love it when parents tell me they are happy with their kid's progress.
What is your totem animal?
Can you be a turtle? Slow and steady pace, patient, shy
Dream vacation spot:
Greece
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Into the human brain to learn about feelings and actions and reactions
Favorite font
Courier New (simplicity)
Kyle Allen Kupper
Assistant Principal
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
Previous
School:
Chula
Vista Middle School
Previous Assignment:
English teacher/ Technology resource teacher
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Circumnavigating the globe by sailboat.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yummy
Tell us about your superpowers.
Finding importance in what others might find
useless.
Favorite Board Game(s):
Scrabble & Yahtzee
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Absolutely COOL
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Knowing that anything is possible.
Who let the dogs out?
Google
What makes you laugh?
Juxtaposition
What is one word that your friends would use to
describe you?
Dreamer
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes
it all worthwhile?
Watching the impossible become a reality and the
excitement from those us that realize this possibility.
What is your totem animal?
Pelican
Dream vacation spot:
Any tropical island with waves.
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you
take your students?
We'd explore the Earth through hydrogen.
What line or shape do you identify with? Circle,
square, triangle, squiggle, ellipse
Ellipse
Favorite font:
Whichever one we're told NOT to use, and Lucida
Bright
Mindy Ahrens
TK-K-1 Teacher
“If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." - Vincent Van Gogh
Previous School:
Phoenix Learning Academy
TK-K-1 Teacher
“If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." - Vincent Van Gogh
Previous School:
Phoenix Learning Academy
Previous Assignment:
Kindergarten Teacher
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Flipping a house
Kindergarten Teacher
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Flipping a house
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Sure
Tell us about your superpowers.
Listening to students. Building, making, creating.
Tell us about your superpowers.
Listening to students. Building, making, creating.
Not a board game fan, too slow. I like Rummytiles, Mastermind and Othello.
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
That we are thinking about the students and their needs first and that subjects, skills and grade levels are blended and flexible.
What makes you laugh?
My daughter when she throws teenage temper tantrums.
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?
Showing the world that kids are capable of amazing things.
Dream vacation spot:
Anything with sun and ocean!
What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triangle, squiggle, ellipse
A squiggle because my life never seems to follow the path I have planned.
Jen Zingg
Teacher on Special Assignment
“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelo (American Poet)
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Storms - Cool or Scary?
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Teacher on Special Assignment
“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelo (American Poet)
Previous School
Bernardo Heights Middle School
Previous
Assignment
Leadership and Physical Education
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Making creative and interesting videos.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
I eat all my veggies.
Tell us about your superpowers.
Tell us about your superpowers.
I can relate to The Flash- the ability to move move extremely
fast.
Favorite Board Game(s)
Favorite Board Game(s)
Scrabble
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Very cool
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Being part of a dedicated, talented and creative staff.
Who
let the dogs out?
I think it might have been the 8th graders
What makes you laugh?
What makes you laugh?
Kindergarten boys and girls, Matthew Perry and Billy Crystal
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Serving
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
To know that I've contributed in a positive way with staff,
students and community
What
is you totem animal?
The Dove- Cross-world communication, spirit messenger, peace,
gentleness, love
Dream vacation spot
Dream vacation spot
A tropical place near water
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
I’d take students to a place that they wanted to go.
Favorite
font
Anything that's in large print!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Meet the BRIDGES (formerly known as ESS) Staff!
Donnie Kirchmeier
BRIDGE Supervisor
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Of Course
Favorite Board Game(s)
Mahjong, any card game
Storms - Cool or Scary?
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Sarah Thompson-Briggs
BRIDGE Lead
"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." -Steve Jobs
BRIDGE Supervisor
Previous School:
Creekside Elementary School
Previous Assignment:
ESS Supervisor
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sky Diving, SCUBA Diving
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sky Diving, SCUBA Diving
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Of Course
Favorite Board Game(s)
Mahjong, any card game
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Extremely cool
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Helping kids utilize their creative abilities to their highest potential
What makes you laugh?
My daughter, she is 9 months old and always giggling about something
My daughter, she is 9 months old and always giggling about something
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Insightful
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing the students everyday
Dream vacation spot:
Dream vacation spot:
Hawaii, Caribbean, any other tropical location
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
African Safari
What line or shape do you identify with? (Circle, square, triange, squiggle, or ellipse)
What line or shape do you identify with? (Circle, square, triange, squiggle, or ellipse)
Quadrilateral
BRIDGE Lead"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." -Steve Jobs
Previous School:
Willow Grove Elementary School
Previous Assignment:
ESS Lead Assistant
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Surfing
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yummm!!!!
Favorite Board Game(s)
Favorite Board Game(s)
Scattergories
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Super Cool! Love me some thunder and lightening.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Willingness to change the way we do school!
Who let the dogs out?
Who let the dogs out?
It wasn't me!
What makes you laugh?
What makes you laugh?
Kids. They say the darnest things!
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
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?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Watching the kiddos grow up and become young boys and girls. Watching them explore their passions. I feel as though I have a hand in raising the kids that walks through our doors and that's something that I cherish and enjoy on a day to day basis.
Dream vacation spot:
Dream vacation spot:
Caribbean
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
We would time travel to different decades.
What line or shape do you identify with? (Circle, square, triange, squiggle, or ellipse)
What line or shape do you identify with? (Circle, square, triange, squiggle, or ellipse)
Squiggle
Favorite font
Favorite font
Courier New
Monday, July 28, 2014
Meet Tom Downs, Linda Ford, & Barbara Hamilton!
Tom Downs
Previous School:
Oak Valley Middle School
Previous Assignment:
6th and 7th Humanities, Science, and electives
Favorite quote:
Favorite quote:
Too many to choose from
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Bobsledding
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Sometimes
Tell us about your superpowers.
Tell us about your superpowers.
Connecting ideas and events. I am always wanting to know the backstory to why things are the way the are.
Favorite Board Game(s)
Favorite Board Game(s)
Really don't like board games.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Opening up school to student creativity and not being limited by group think.
Who let the dogs out?
Who let the dogs out?
Why were the dogs in to begin with?
What makes you laugh?
What makes you laugh?
Cleverness and references to unrelated story lines.
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Tenacious
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Students and the things they say. Love watching their faces light up when they have an epiphany.
Dream vacation spot
Paris for city and Interlaken, Switzerland for scenery. Used to be Yosemite but I can't get reservations anymore :(
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Wherever they want to go. I can't pick.
Favorite font
Ubuntu
Linda Ford
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle
Previous Schools:
SCES and DCES
Previous Assignment:
RSP Teacher
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Sailing
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Storms - Cool or Scary?
Cool
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Innovation opportunities!
Favorite font
Favorite font
Comic Sans MS
Barbara HamiltonLiteracy Resource Media Tech
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!”
Previous School:
Tierra Bonita Elementary
Previous Assignment:
Librarian and digital support for 1:1 program
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
I eat every part of the broccoli
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
I'm most excited about being a part of such a great way of doing
school differently
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Honest
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
I love seeing someone get totally lost in a good book.
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Outer space
Friday, July 25, 2014
Meet Stacy Jennings, Amy Fousek, & Bonnie Gonzalez!
Stacy Jennings
Favorite Board Game(s):
Balderdash, Scattergories, Scrabble
Storms - Cool or Scary?
I grew up in Chicago...I miss storms! They are VERY cool.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Working collaboratively with my colleagues in an environment that allows children to explore.
Who let the dogs out?
I think I did. Woops!
What makes you laugh?
My kids.
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Funny.
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing students take ownership of their creations and really enjoying what they are learning. I also LOVE when a student who has been struggling with reading, has that moment when it "clicks".
What is your totem animal?
A mama bear.
Dream vacation spot:
Anywhere tropical with clear water.
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Under the sea.
Amy Fousek
Bonnie Gonzalez
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are." -Unknown
Previous School:
Park Village
Previous Assignment(s):
Previous School:
Park Village
Previous Assignment(s):
3rd Grade Teacher
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Archery
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
If it's already in the meal I will, if not--I cut them off!
Tell us about your superpowers.
Tell us about your superpowers.
I'm still discovering what they are. I love to incorporate humor, singing, poetry into my teaching...that's probably in the "drama/theater" category.
Favorite Board Game(s):
Balderdash, Scattergories, Scrabble
Storms - Cool or Scary?
I grew up in Chicago...I miss storms! They are VERY cool.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Working collaboratively with my colleagues in an environment that allows children to explore.
Who let the dogs out?
I think I did. Woops!
What makes you laugh?
My kids.
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Funny.
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Seeing students take ownership of their creations and really enjoying what they are learning. I also LOVE when a student who has been struggling with reading, has that moment when it "clicks".
What is your totem animal?
A mama bear.
Dream vacation spot:
Anywhere tropical with clear water.
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
Under the sea.
“Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen."
Previous School:
Chapparel Elementary School
Previous School:
Chapparel Elementary School
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Living in another country for a summer.
Yahtzee
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The people and the possibilities.
Who let the dogs out?
My husband...he is always the first one up.
What makes you laugh?
My family and slapstick comedies.
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Passionate
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Watching students have that "a-ha" moment.
What is your totem animal?
Wolf
Dream vacation spot:
Italy
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
To space.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes! It's my favorite part.
Tell us about your superpowers.
Tell us about your superpowers.
I am in love with being a mom. I am sports fanatic and love to cook.
Favorite Board Game(s):Yahtzee
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The people and the possibilities.
Who let the dogs out?
My husband...he is always the first one up.
What makes you laugh?
My family and slapstick comedies.
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Passionate
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Watching students have that "a-ha" moment.
What is your totem animal?
Wolf
Dream vacation spot:
Italy
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
To space.
Bonnie Gonzalez
"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live" - by Dorothy Thomp
Previous School:
Oak Valley Middle School
Previous School:
Oak Valley Middle School
What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
Blue Angeles pilot or race car driver
Tell us about your superpowers.
Candy Land, Creationary, Connect 4.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The opportunity kids will have to learn deeply and in a fun, nurturing environment.
Who let the dogs out?
Whoever wakes up first.
What makes you laugh?
Laughing kids (especially mine)
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
I love watching kids really enjoy learning.
What is your totem animal?
Tiger
Dream vacation spot:
Anywhere with my family away from busyness with hiking, swimming, and napping.
Tell us about your superpowers.
Energy, resilience, relationships
Favorite Board Game(s):Candy Land, Creationary, Connect 4.
What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The opportunity kids will have to learn deeply and in a fun, nurturing environment.
Who let the dogs out?
Whoever wakes up first.
What makes you laugh?
Laughing kids (especially mine)
What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Ardent
I love watching kids really enjoy learning.
What is your totem animal?
Tiger
Dream vacation spot:
Anywhere with my family away from busyness with hiking, swimming, and napping.
What line or shape do you identify with? Circle, square, triange, squiggle, ellipse
Star
Favorite font
Favorite font
Calibri
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!
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
"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
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-UlrichPreschool 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
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
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.
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