Jason grew up in the Palomar Mountain, Valley Center, Escondido areas; earned his BA in Physical Education from Chico State University; teaching credential from San Diego State; and his Masters degree in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University where he formed a solid foundation for constructivist design in curriculum and instruction. His education practices involve teaching at the secondary level, district staff development, and coaching athletics. He then moved into full time technology as Director of Technology for a small charter school system, and now as the IT Administrator for High Tech High North County.

He enjoys working with teachers to integrate technology into the curriculum and has co-authored a book chapter titled "Multiple Strategies for Fostering Teacher Learning with Technology" in a collective piece labeled "Preparing Teachers to Teach with Technology" edited by Charalambos Vrasidas, Ph.D. When he's not saving the world, Jason enjoys playing outdoors with his boys, doting over his baby girl, and watching Lost on the DVR with his wife after the kids are down.

Susan Battistuz earned her teaching credential from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. After teaching 7th and 8th grade in Chicago Public Schools, she taught in Costa Rica and West Africa. In 2001 she finally landed in San Diego and began teaching 9th grade math and physics at High Tech High. She was delighted to move to High Tech Middle in 2003 because she loves teaching with middle school students. When Susan's not at school you can find her at the beach with her husband Brian, snowboarding, or riding her horse Ted.

Toni has worked in the field of education for more than thirteen years. Prior to her administrative experiences, she worked at an elementary school for several years as a school clerk and in human resources assisting in hiring for secondary staffing. She is especially thrilled to continue the opportunity to work at High Tech High North County and to be able to use her background and experiences in such an exciting and innovative setting. Toni loves taking classes, traveling, reading extensively and spending time with her seven year old granddaughter.

In first grade my teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said, "an art teacher." So here I am…

I grew up in Northampton, a liberal college town in Western, Massachusetts. I have three sisters who are all wonderful and unique women that I love and adore.

In 1997, I was a freshman at Tufts University in Medford, MA. When I graduated, I decided to move to San Diego and I fell in love with the weather, palm trees and surfing. I went back to MA to get my master’s degree in Art Education at Tufts and The Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston, but I couldn’t stay away from Southern, CA.

I taught Art to 6th and 8th grade at High Tech Middle School from 2003-2006 and am currently teaching Art at High Tech High Media Arts. Aside from teaching, I love; surfing, soccer, yoga, painting, traveling and being adventurous.

Nicole Hinostro is a native to San Diego and grew up in Encinitas. After graduating from San Dieguito High School she attended the University of Notre Dame and received a double major with a bachelor of arts in Psychology and Computer Applications. During her time at Notre Dame she also played on the Women’s soccer team. Upon graduating in 1998 she served inner city youth in East Los Angeles as a 5th grade teacher and soccer coach through a two year teaching program called ResponseAbility. During her time in Los Angeles she also attended Loyola Marymount University where she received her Masters of Education.

After two years in Los Angeles she moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and began teaching 5th and 6th grade at Benjamin Banneker Charter School where students were offered a rigorous education with a focus on math, science and technology. She also began coaching the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School at that time. In 2002 she transitioned into the Cambridge Public School District and worked as a middle school math teacher for Fletcher-Maynard Academy. There she also worked as co-leader of the middle school and facilitated team building and school reform.

In 2004 Nicole returned to San Diego and began teaching at High Tech Middle in the 7th utilizing project based learning to integrate math and science. In 2005 Nicole became the director of a new school in the High Tech Village, High Tech Middle Media Arts. She continues today as the Director of HTMMA where she finds herself constantly amazed by the love for learning shared by each member of the community.

Matthew Leader graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Minor in Psychology. He received a teaching credential from San Diego State University. Along the way he has worked in both marine microbiology and physical oceanography laboratories at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, scuba diving, sailing and traveling.

Jenny was born in raised in San Diego, and graduated from Helix High School in 1999. She went on to San Diego State University to get her BA in Political Science and minored in Sociology. She actively supported her school community and athletic program at SDSU as a member of the cheer squad for three years.

While earning her Bachelors Degree, she spent a summer studying in Guadalajara, Mexico where she studied Spanish and International Relations. The following winter, she attended Oxford University in England, where she continued her studies in Comparative Government. Her senior year in college was spent in Washington D.C. where she interned through The Women’s Leadership Program. Following graduation at SDSU, she went on receive her Teaching Credential and Masters Degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University.

Jenny has been teaching Jr.High History for four years and loves being not only a teacher but a student as well! She is currently working on her PhD in Education and when she is not studying you can find her watching sports or at the beach with her husband and puppy.

Michelle Sadrena Pledger earned her Master's in Pacific International Affairs, with a career concentration in International Development and a regional specialization in Latin America at the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, University of California, San Diego. Prior to entering graduate school, Michelle lived in Bisai, Japan for two years, teaching English and American culture at public junior high schools while engaging in performance dance and theater.

Michelle received her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine, with a major in International Studies and a minor in Clinical Psychology. During this time she also attended La Universidad Catolica Pontificia in Santiago, Chile for one semester. Proficient in Spanish, conversational Japanese and Portuguese, Michelle enjoys international travel and leaves the country at least once or twice a year.

As a member of the renowned public speaking organization, Toastmaster’s International, Michelle has won numerous accolades for competitive public speaking. With a dual passion for education and dance Michelle embraces an energetic teaching style that truly motivates students to learn.

Ephraim graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Cognitive Science and Linguistics in 2003. Before graduating he took a leave from college to work as a volunteer teacher in a bilingual school in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. Since earning his degree he's been involved with schools in Poway and worked full time as a "virtual teacher" for Connections Academy. Ephraim enjoys being a part of the High Tech Family and is constantly impressed by the creative, professional potential of his students in a project based environment. He is passion about infusing technology into the Humanities classroom, believes in transparency, and tries to connect student writing to a global audience with online publishing tools.