Teachers
Kelly Choi (Co-Founder)
Subjects you teach: Math, all levels
Number of years teaching: 18 years
Number of years at DP: 16 years
Why are you part of the Academy program?
I believe the Academy program truly reverses the cycle of failure for students who have great potential. The program allows for teachers and students to build relationships over a period of 3 years, which creates a unique learning environment and a school family. The students and the teachers inspire me on a daily basis.
What is your favorite thing to say to people about teaching?
This is the greatest human experiment I have ever been a part of.
Heather Magner (Co-Founder)
Number of years teaching: 24 years
Number of years at DP: 13 years.
Why are you part of the Academy program? I do the program for the kids. Every student deserves a fair shot at having success at school and creating a program to fit that bill/ to ensure that success happens was basically a continuation/the fruition/ the culmination/ the obvious end point of my life’s work as a teacher. To me, our program should just be the way schools operate.
What is your favorite line you give students? Breathe. Whining is not a strategy for success. Own your business…apologize for your part and move on! This is not brain surgery.
What is your favorite thing to say to people about teaching? I actually only really, really hate (and yes, hate is the accurate word here) the saying “those that can’t do, teach.” Straight lie. Most people can’t teach.
Scott Guttentag (Co-Founder)
Subjects you teach: Peer Advocates and Leadership/Student Government
Number of years teaching: 24 years in a Counseling role (Klein Bottle Youth Programs School Liaison–2 years, Fighting Back Youth Services Specialist–8 years, School Counselor–16 years (past 7 years as Head Counselor)
Number of years at DP: 16 years
Why are you part of the Academy program? My goal since I arrived at DP has been to help kids with potential, meet that potential and to not allow their at-risk behaviors or family situations get in their way. I believe in giving students that struggle more support.
What is your favorite line you give students? I am not sure what you have to gain from lying to me, I can only help you if you trust me enough to give me all the information in your situation. If you trust me then I will do whatever I can to support and advocate for you.
Tell us something of interest about you. I think the most interesting thing about me is that I love my job and the kids I work with. Everyday brings something new and all plans for the day are always subject to change based on my students needs.
Mike Lynch
Subjects you teach: I currently teach chemistry. I have taught biology and physics in the past.
Number of years teaching: 2.5 years
Number of years at DP: 2.5 years
Why are you part of The Academy program? I feel that the most important part of being a teacher is the relationships that you form with your students. I believe that students will work harder and learn better when they feel invested in. That is exactly what the academy does, and that is why I feel it is so important.
What is your favorite thing to say to people about teaching? I love teaching because I love learning. My hope is that I instill that same love of learning I’m my students…whether they want it or not!
Tell us something of interest about you. I don’t always teach well… But when I do, Ms. Carey is watching.
Lisa Koppenjan
Subjects you teach: I teach English (this year: 10 Honors, AP Language and Composition and Academy English 11).
Number of years teaching: 7 years
Number of years at DP: 6 Years
Why are you part of the Academy program? I’m excited to be a part of The Academy because it is a fantastic opportunity to help these students discover a fuller potential as thoughtful readers, writers, critical thinkers and contributing community members. One of my favorite quotes about education is attributed to Albert Einstein, who suggests, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” The Academy’s learning environment offers freedom for more individualized instruction, where each student can discover their individual genius.
Tell us something of interest about you. Raised in the foggy redwoods of a hippie town in Northern California, I still enjoy going barefoot, catching tadpoles with my kids, climbing trees and catching sight of unexpected rainbows.
Brittany Rosenberg
Subjects you teach: Social Studies
Number of years teaching: 13 years
Number of years at DP: 2 years
Why are you part of the Academy program?
I was excited to be a part of such a great team and “family.”
What is your favorite thing to say to people who are not in the teaching profession about teaching?
I tell people that I love my job and that the kids are awesome.