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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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

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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!!

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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.

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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.

Meet Tiffany Castillo, Kriscia Cabral, Megan Power, & David Fritch!

Mrs. Tiffany Castillo

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do."  - Isaac Asimov

Previous School:
Monterey Ridge

Previous Assignment(s):

3rd Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?
A macaron

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes, yum

Tell us about your superpowers.
Organizing, dancing, singing in the car, eating, and mothering

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The possibilities

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

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
The moment a student "gets" it, and I was there to share in their joy. 

What is your totem animal?
A WOLF! 37%

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

Favorite font:
DJ DOODLERS

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Mrs. Kriscia Cabral (Kris-see-ya)
"Just Dance"  - Lady Gaga!

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud"  - Maya Angelou

Previous School:
Highland Ranch

Previous Assignment(s):

4th/5th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?Playing football with pads. Seems like so much intensity and passion in every play!

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
My son and I do like an Apatosaurus (no utensils, just mouths #whatever it takes)

Tell us about your superpowers.
Joy is my superpower! I look for the bright side in all that I meet. I love to encourage. I love to dance especially TAP ...and flash mobs are so exciting! I love soccer. I love creating digital stories. Totally into quotes- they inspire me! Writing is my passion. Music sings stories in my heart. Big fan of the 90's and all things Pop Culture. Football and Baseball sports talk.

Favorite Board Game(s)

Popomatic Trouble (love the sound of the popping machine) Although I always wanted Mouse Trap as a kid- still haven't tried it

Storms - Cool or Scary?
So cool. I love the sounds.

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
Absolutely everything! The people the most, but the opportunity to change the world, #incredible

Who let the dogs out?

Probably my husband. He hates having a dog inside our house :(

What makes you laugh?
Conversations in general (With my own children, classroom children, and even with adults). Sarcasm always gets me. Animals that talk is the funniest thing.

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
Smiles on faces. Watching someone learn something new is a feeling like no other. Being a part of that learning, seeing the lightbulb shine bright.

What is your totem animal?
Not into animals, I do like ladybugs though.

Dream vacation spot
Somewhere that has lots of shade.

If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take your students?
On a learning adventure. I would ask them where they would like to go, then fulfill the request of each student along the way.

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Mrs. Megan Power
"To believe you can is everything"

I love inspirational quotes. Here is a simple one I had on my way as a kid!

Previous School:

Del Sur Elementary School

Previous Assignment(s):

Kindergarten

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?Skiing/snowboarding and traveling more to see the world

Tell us about your superpowers.
Believe that anything is possible, Facilitate young students to create amazing learning experiences, Believe the best in people, Passionate about many things, Inspire others

Favorite Board Game(s)
Any that makes my kids smile. Seeing my 3 year old's joy of playing Twister with Mommy, hearing his vocabulary grow playing Headbandz, and hearing his laugh when the buzzard goes off in Operation are priceless.

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?
The people and the possibilities!

What makes you laugh?
My children and other little kids comments & discussions

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?
The kids! Letting them figure out how important they are and how much they can do to make a difference in the world!

What is your totem animal?
Monkey

Dream vacation spot
Bora Bora or Tahiti 

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Mr. David Fritch
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress." - Frederick Douglass

Previous School:

Oak Valley Middle School

Previous Assignment(s):

6th Grade

What is something you’ve always wanted to try?

To be a part of an archeology dig.

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

Yes

Tell us about your superpowers.

I believe my greatest superpower is building relationships.  I enjoy getting to know people and find out what their talents, and dreams are and helping them make the most of them.

Favorite Board Game(s):

The old favorites: Scrabble and Monopoly

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Way cool!  I am from the Midwest....storms rock!

What excites you the most about Design39Campus?

That we all have the opportunity to create something unique and special!  We are making change in education.

Who let the dogs out?

No dogs....just grown kids.  :)

What makes you laugh?

I can find the humor in most everything, but love when people can feel comfortable enough to laugh at themselves, that in turn makes me laugh.

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 kids navigate the awkward stage of life called middle school!

What is you totem animal?

Grizzly Bear

Dream vacation spot:

New Zealand