Veronica Alvarez is an Operations Specialist for High Tech High schools. Before coming to High Tech High, Veronica was a founding staff member of KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy and directed an academic enrichment program in San Francisco. She then earned a Masters of Public Administration in non-profit management and education policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. While studying, she worked for New Visions for Public Schools, a non-profit school reform organization that partners with the New York City Board of Education to develop small public schools and programs in New York City. Veronica was born and raised in Washington, DC and earned a BA in Spanish and Latin American studies from Barnard College.

Hi! My name is Cintya Bimbela. I grew up in Tijuana Mexico. In my childhood I enjoyed watching my grandfather play baseball. He was a professional baseball player. I was called the baseball field princess. I have over 10 years experience in the Accounting field. I love to talk to people and help them in any way. I have always worked in the Manufacturing industry. Working for HTH has been a great opportunity for me. I love that every day there is a new challenge and I meet new people. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my two children Eduardo & Paulina. I love to read and watch movies. I collect coffee mugs & love to watch a good boxing match.

Stacey Caillier is the Director of the Teacher Leadership M.Ed. program in the HTH Graduate School of Education. Prior to coming to High Tech High, she completed her Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis in School Organization and Educational Policy. Her dissertation research was a three-year ethnography of an innovative Northern California performing and fine arts charter school. At this same school, she collaborated with teachers to design and implement an action research project that served as the catalyst for many school-wide reforms. As a graduate teaching fellow and an adjunct faculty member in Hamline University’s Graduate School of Education in Minneapolis, Stacey has taught courses on action research and socio-cultural issues in education, mentored practicing teachers, and presented her work at multiple educational conferences.

An Oregon native, Stacey began her career as a high school physics and math teacher at a Portland high school affiliated with the Coalition of Essential Schools, where she earned the school’s Creative Teacher award. She later served as a teacher and science specialist in a California charter school. Stacey majored in physics and English at Willamette University, where she also earned a Masters in Teaching and a secondary physics and mathematics credential. She is excited to continue her work with teachers and is passionate about the role of teacher-leaders in creating schools that are equitable, inspiring, and relevant to all students.

Joanna Clark, a San Diego native, has worked in the field of education for over 11 years. She began working as a Special Education Technician at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary. She instructed elementary-aged children on the use of augmentative devices and computer software. Later with the San Diego Community College District, she worked in the Welfare-to-Work program developing programs for working mothers to complete their education through distance education courses. Joanna holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Currently she is working towards her Doctorate in Education, emphasis in Technology and Learning.

Ben Daley is the chief academic officer for the High Tech High Charter Management Organization. He acts as an advisor to fifteen students and teaches a class in robotics every year. Ben joined High Tech High to teach physics as a founding faculty member in fall 2000.

A New Hampshire native, Ben wisely moved to San Diego, CA at the first opportunity. As a student at Haverford College, Ben majored in physics and was credentialed in secondary physics and math. After graduation, he traveled to the Philippines and taught science and math at an international school in Manila. Upon his return to the States, he taught physics and AP physics at the Madeira School, a girls boarding school in suburban Washington, D.C. He then moved to California to coach basketball and to teach physics at Pomona and Pitzer Colleges. He earned an M.A. in science education at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Christopher leads facilities design, construction, maintenance, and custodial services for existing and new HTH schools. He works closely with David Stephen, Mara Sanders, and Jed Wallace, to develop new projects that support the HTH vision, and directs maintenance and custodial staff to maintain a comfortable, safe, and functional campus environment. Prior to joining High Tech High, Christopher was the architect of all HTH San Diego schools, and has completed commercial, educational, hospitality, retail, and residential projects all over the Nation and along the Pacific Rim. Christopher is a licensed architect in California and Arizona, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona, where he studied both Architecture and Philosophy.

Patrick develops user-friendly web-based applications for multiple audiences including students, staff, donors, and those interested in learning more about the High Tech High community. Patrick received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona and did post gradate work there and at Northern Arizona University. He is an accomplished painter and photographer.

Janel Holcomb has been with High Tech High since 2003 teaching Physics & Math and Chemistry & Math. In August of 2007 she will be moving to one of our new schools, most likely High Tech High Escondido, to be the Director. Janel Holcomb’s holds a Masters of Education and Teaching Credential from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Janel is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast! You can find her at High Tech High in Project Room 9 most any time.

Jennifer Husbands is the Director of Site Support for High Tech High. She comes to the organization from Stanford University’s School of Education, where she has completed her Ph.D. in Administration and Policy Analysis program. At Stanford she served as a research assistant on numerous school reform projects and wrote her dissertation, a case study of high school reform in San Diego City Schools, under the direction of Milbrey McLaughlin. She co-authored A Review of Selected High School Reform Strategies for the Aspen Institute in 2001, and contributed a chapter to the forthcoming Scarecrow Press publication, Leadership for Building Instructional Quality: The Story of San Diego’s Systemic School Reform, with a team of colleagues led by Linda Darling-Hammond. Before returning to graduate school, Jennifer served as the Evaluation Specialist for the National School & Community Corps, a school-based AmeriCorps program, and prior to that she was a Marketing Researcher at National Analysts Research & Consulting in Philadelphia. She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia with highest honors.

Alana Kalinowski grew up in rural, “cow-town” Upstate New York. Being home schooled until the 9th grade, Alana then went to a Public high school before moving on to Grand Rapids, MI to complete her BA in European History at Calvin College. Focusing on post-Soviet social welfare development, she studied social work abroad in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon graduation from college, and sensing the need to let go and embrace a new chapter of life, Alana sold her car and bought a one-way ticket to San Diego, CA where she began working in programs at the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego Chapter. Although she loved the work of helping families care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, the call of travel became too strong to resist, prompting her to say goodbye to the Alzheimer’s Association in the fall of 2007; making it possible for to hitchhike and backpack across Eastern Europe for two months. Initially connecting with extended family in Poland, she then traveled through Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia and other former Soviet States. Upon her return to San Diego, Alana discovered the wonderful community of High Tech High, and is so excited to be invested in the development of an organization that she believes so deeply in. In her free time, Alana loves hiking, reading and coffee dates with friends.

A native San Diegan, Cindy graduated from Clairemont High School and attended Kelsey-Jenney Business College and Grossmont Community College. She has over 18 years of experience in a variety of administrative capacities. Before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom, she was a keypunch operator in the data-processing departments for Fed-Mart and then at the Naval Undersea Center in Point Loma, known today as SPAWAR. The now out-dated IBM keypunch machines were Cindy’s first experience using computer technology.

Cindy worked for the San Diego City Schools in various roles for ten years, as the School Improvement Coordinator at Benchley-Weinberger Elementary School, in the Placement and Appeal Department, and in the School-to-Career Career Development Office. Before coming to High Tech High, she was the administrative assistant to the Director of the Business Roundtable for Education at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cindy has been with High Tech High since its inception. Her role has expanded over the years as the school has grown. She is both the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Student Information Manager, interacting daily with staff, students and families to help resolve a variety of school questions, concerns and challenges.

California native Grace Lee is Special Projects Coordinator at High Tech High. She attended the University of California at San Diego, earning a B.A. in Visual Arts Media with a Computing Emphasis. Upon graduation she worked in publishing for two and a half years, starting in sales and marketing and moving on to manage printing projects from start to finish.

At HTH, Grace works on a variety of assignments which include coordinating HTH tours and managing the High Tech High Chula Vista construction project. She enjoys interacting daily with staff, students, and outside consultants to support the many endeavors of HTH.

Laura McBain graduated with a B.A. in English and minors in Political Science and Spanish from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. After her move from the plains of the Ohio, Laura received her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught for four years in San Diego before coming to High Tech High. Laura was a humanities teacher during High Tech Middle’s first year and went on to receive her Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Harvard she worked at the Center for Law and Education developing policy initiatives relating to the reauthorization of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act. She also conducted research projects on the Massachusetts District Review process. Laura later served as a Policy Analyst for Learning Points Associates conducting reviews on underperforming districts. Laura has since returned to HTH and has served as the Director of HTH Albuquerque, (a network site of HTH Learning) and as the Director of High Tech Middle. Now as High Tech High Learning’s Director of Policy and Research, Laura leads research projects on the High Tech High schools and coordinates with the states’ legislative and accountability commissions on charter school policies initiatives.

Wendy grew up in San Diego. She received her Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and went on to get a certificate from The Exotic Animal Training and Management Program in Moorpark, California. From there she worked as an Elephant Trainer in Vallejo, California. After two and a half years as a trainer she made the decision to move back to San Diego. While waiting to get a job at the San Diego Zoo, she started to work at HTH. Although she eventually got a job at the Zoo her heart brought her back to HTH. Now, five years later she is the Executive Assistant and Registrar for the school.

Kay has worked on the business side of public education for the past 19 years. Prior to joining High Tech High, she served as Budget Supervisor and most recently, Director of Payroll and Benefits for San Diego Unified. Prior to coming west to California, she managed a nonprofit arts organization in Iowa, was assistant manager of the Des Moines Convention Center responsible for financial operations, and served as an accountant for the Salt Lake County Treasurer. She is a graduate of Iowa State University.

A native of Bremerton Washington, Bob Parker has lived in Washington, Alaska and for the most part, in Southern California. Prior to moving to the San Diego area, he lived in Big Bear Lake for twenty-six years. He received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from California State University of Long Beach where he also earned a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology.

In his thirty plus years in public education, Bob has been employed as a School Psychologist, School Principal and a District Office Administrator. Most recently, he was Program Manager for Due Process and Procedural Safeguards for the Desert/Mountain Special Education Local Plan Area (D/M SELPA) in San Bernardino County. He holds California life credentials in School Psychology and School Administrative Services. He also has been granted life credentials for Community College authorization in Psychology Coursework and Counseling Services.

Rob has worked as a teacher, trainer, and program developer for over 35 years. As a teacher in the Cambridge, MA public schools, he developed an award-winning writing center and two innovative school-to-career programs: the Cambridge-Polaroid Technical Internship Program and the Cambridge-Lesley Careers in Education Program. He was named National School to Work Practitioner of the Year in 1994. From 1996-99 he directed the New Urban High School project, a joint initiative of the Big Picture Company and the U.S. Department of Education. For several years, as a faculty member of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, he led the practicum seminar for Harvard’s student teachers. He was a founding staff member of the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Teachers of Writing, and a Lead Founder of the Community Charter School of Cambridge, MA. His publications include several articles on high school humanities and two books: Schooling for the Real World: The Essential Guide to Rigorous and Relevant Learning (Jossey Bass, 1999), with Adria Steinberg and Kathleen Cushman, and Seeing the Future: A Planning Guide for High Schools (The Big Picture Company and the U.S. Department of Education, 1999).

Larry Rosenstock taught carpentry for eleven years, after law school, in urban high schools in Boston and Cambridge. He served as staff attorney for two years at the Harvard Center for Law and Education, and was a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for five years. Larry was principal of the Rindge School of Technical Arts, and of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. He directed the federal New Urban High School Project, was president of the Price Charitable Fund, and is the founding principal of High Tech High in San Diego. Larry’s program, “CityWorks”, won the Ford Foundation Innovations in State and Local Government Award in 1992, and he is an Ashoka Fellow.

At HTH Mara spends most of her time working to establish new HTH schools in the San Diego region, primarily in North County and the South Bay. She comes to the organization with extensive experience teaching psychology at the university level, including at UCSD and CSUSM. Mara earned her B.A. in psychology from Columbia College, summa cum laude, and went on to receive a Ph.D. from Columbia University in social and personality psychology. She lives in Escondido with her husband, Nicko Christenfeld, their two daughters Emma, who attends HTM, and Sophia, who attends Explorer, and their many pets. Mara has been with HTHL since July 2005.

Daren was born in Oceanside, CA and has lived in San Diego all of his life. During his youth he traveled to many parts of the world and at the age of 19 he married in Caracas, Venezuela and has been married for 21 years and has 3 boys who all attend High Tech High schools.

After 14 years of owning and operating a motorcycle repair business he realized computers and technology were the future and in 1995 started his technology career as a UNIX Systems Administrator for a San Diego based Sun Microsystems VAR. 11 years later he joined the High Tech High team as the Director of Technology. Daren has been involved with many aspects of computer technology ranging from java programing to SQL database design and network security. He has also contributed to many Open Source projects over the years.

David’s professional life straddles the two worlds of architectural design and education reform. As an architect he has over 20 years of experience in building design and construction. As a teacher and education reformer, he has worked with schools nationwide to envision and develop innovative practices. Increasingly, his focus has turned to the design of school buildings that support program goals. Over the past ten years he has facilitated the architectural design process for many new and restructuring schools.

David plays a key role in the design and development of all HTH buildings. He develops web-based and graphic materials to help affiliated sites, and the larger community, understand the HTH culture and program. He consults with Architects of Achievement, a group partnering with the University of Washington Small Schools Project, to help educators and architects nationwide integrate the work of facility design into school reform. David received his B. Arch. from Rhode Island School of Design and an M.Ed from Lesley College. The HTH facility received a “2001 Educational Design Excellence Award” from the American School & University Architectural Portfolio. The HTH, HTM, and HTHI buildings received Honor Awards from the 2002, 2003, and 2005 Design Share Competitions respectively.

Jed began his career in public education as a teacher at Hooper Avenue Elementary School, a 2000-student school in South-Central Los Angeles that had the second-lowest API ranking in the County. There, he established a school-within-the-school that reduced teacher and student transiency and significantly improved results on state-mandated tests. The model was exported across the school and became the basis for a charter school application. Jed also worked in the Office of the Superintendent at San Diego City Schools, performing oversight activities for the district’s 22 charter schools and leading efforts to develop a new Charter School Policy and template MOU. These documents have been cited as models by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. He also served as an Associate Resident for the inaugural cohort of the Broad Foundation’s Residency in Urban Education. Earlier in his career, he worked in the office of Colorado Congressman David E. Skaggs. Jed holds a Bachelor’s degree in the Science of Foreign Service from Georgetown University, an MFA in playwriting from UCLA, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is an avid playwright and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.