Primary Faculty

• Kindergarten	• Second Grade	• Fourth Grade
• First Grade	• Third Grade	• Fifth Grade

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Explorer teachers bring energy, sensitivity, enthusiasm and professional expertise into their classrooms, demonstrating their commitment to Explorer Elementary Charter School's goals and values. While being responsible to the California State Standards of teaching, Explorer's teachers are in charge of their own curriculum. Each teacher brings his/her perspective, talents and interests to the classroom, thus offering students a rich exposure to a wide spectrum of learning experiences.

Working as a close community of colleagues, Explorer's faculty provides students with a nurturing, stimulating and challenging environment which promotes excellence and continuity of learning for students. Explorer's teachers strive toward respectful discipline, emotional presence and open-hearted teaching so that students can share what is most deeply meaningful for them.

Each teacher chosen to work at Explorer Elementary Charter School is an educational innovator and leader. All are credentialed by the state of California, and many hold advanced credentials. In addition, many of Explorer's teachers hold Masters Degrees, providing our school with expertise in such areas as Accelerated Learning, Social-Emotional Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Writing, Art and Science. Every teacher is a passionate learner, as well as educator, committed to continuing his/her education and bringing these gifts of learning into the classroom.

Faculty Bio and Curriculum

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Kindergarten >>View Curriculm

Sue Craycroft

Sue has taught Kindergarten at Explorer on and off since the school opened its doors in 2000. Before coming to Explorer, she taught in the parent-toddler program at the Children’s School for eight years. Sue holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from SDSU.

Carrie Nisil

Carrie has worked as an Assistant Teacher in Kindergarten and First Grade since Explorer opened. She is an avid quilter and also teaches after school enrichment classes in sewing and crafts.

Zoltan Sarda

Zoltan Sarda has been teaching for more than 16 years in public and private schools. In addition to his work as a classroom teacher at Explorer, Mr. Sarda is responsible for many aspects of the school s Social and Emotional Literacy Program, an area which he has studied for many years. Both as a public elementary school teacher in Oceanside and as an M.A. student at UCSD, Mr. Sarda studied and developed curriculum to expand the connection between social-emotional learning and academics. He appreciates teaching at Explorer because "it is rare to find a school in which a unified philosophical focus exists throughout all members of the community." This year he is working on his Doctorate of Education at UCSD.

Stacey Stevenson

Stacey Stevenson has been with Explorer since the school began. The first five years she taught fourth grade. Then she taught kindergarten and first grade for two years. Stacey received her degrees in history, literature, and her teaching credential with CLAD emphasis from the University of California, San Diego. Before she became a teacher she spent a year traveling in Europe, Egypt, Kenya and Mexico. She also owned an art gallery in downtown San Diego. When Stacey is not teaching she rock climbs, reads, gardens and enjoys spending time with her cats, two ducks and her beau Chris.

Casey Swangren

This is Casey’s 2nd year with Explorer as a Kindergarten Teacher's Aide. Prior to coming to Explorer, Casey worked in afterschool programs and in an ESL Kindergarten. She is a San Diego transplant from Wisconsin and holds a B.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin. Casey still makes art when she has time and motivation and spends a lot of her free time traveling to visit family back home.

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First Grade >>View Curriculum

Amy Araiza

Amy Araiza is a native San Diegan and a 15-year veteran teacher. As the first teacher hired by Explorer, Ms. Araiza has played a vital role in encouraging Explorer's growth and development. Amy has taught a variety of elementary grades including 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. She has also enjoyed teaching Second Step, Explorer’s social emotional curriculum. In addition, she is working as an administrator coordinating a variety of programs for the school. This will be her second year teaching kindergarten one day a week with Mrs. Hawke. She holds a B.A. and teaching credential from University of San Diego.

Diane Hawke

Diane Hawke has been teaching at Explorer for six years. In addition to being an Explorer teacher, she also has two children who attend Explorer. Outside of school Ms. Hawke likes to read, scrapbook and take walks as well as spend time with her family camping, going to the beach and watching Padres games together. She received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of San Diego, as well as her M.A. in Education and a Clear Multiple Subject Credential. Her teaching experience includes both public and private schools in the primary grades.

Paula Rothschild

Paula Rothschild always knew she wanted to be a teacher. A veteran teacher, Ms. Rothschild has taught in primary grade classrooms for sixteen years in three different states. With a B.A. from the University of Michigan, she is presently continuing her education in a Masters Degree Program focusing on Elementary Reading and Literacy. "There is so much new research about how children learn and with that comes new methods of instruction. I feel fortunate to not only learn these new methods and strategies but also apply them in my classroom."

Jen Schultz

Jen Schultz has been teaching at Explorer for five years.  Before coming to Explorer, Jen worked at the Sudanese English Project teaching English to Sudanese refugee children as the lead K-3 teacher, curriculum coordinator and assistant administrator.  Jen graduated from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts with an emphasis in early child development. Last year Jen completed her Masters in Education, focusing on Curriculum and Instruction.  During her free time she enjoys going to the beach, camping, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

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Second Grade >>View Curriculum

Carlisa Endoso

Carlisa Endoso is a passionate reader. Majoring in English Literature at San Diego State University, she focused on children’s literature, and planned a career as a high school English teacher. She spent a year teaching high school, and then took a year off to "see the world." While working as an au pair in Annecy, France, she realized she was well-suited to working with younger children and returned to school to earn her Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential with CLAD emphasis. This is Carlisa’s 11th year of educating young children. She finds that teaching and learning with eager, enthusiastic, energetic children is extremely rewarding.

Aly McCall

Aly McCall is a graduate of the University of San Diego where she earned her B.A. and teaching credential. Ms. Mc Call also earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, specializing in Literacy, from USD. Ms. Mc Call is CLAD certified, and is in her 5th year of teaching.

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Third Grade >>View Curriculum

Shayna Cribbs

Shayna Cribbs is proud to be one of Explorer's founding teachers. She began her career at Explorer in 2000, the first year we opened our doors to students. Shayna received her credential in elementary education at UCSD, where she also completed her undergraduate degree. She has special interests in math and writing and has attended summer institutes in both. Shayna loves yoga and reading and finds joy in discovering the humor and creativity that abound in daily life. Her greatest thrill, however, is being a part of the yearly transformation of her class as they grow socially and academically, their ideas expand, and their thinking becomes deeper and more profound.

Diane Glover

Diane Glover is thrilled to be a part of Explorer's teaching staff. She has been teaching for more than 15 years in San Diego County. She received her B.A. in Communications and her teaching credential from San Diego State University. Outside of school Mrs. Glover likes to spend time with her family as well as cook, read and play volleyball.

Robyn Kochon

Robyn Kochon is delighted to be joining the Explorer Elementary faculty this year. After teaching in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, she comes to us with excellent references. Ms. Kochon graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with her B.A. and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD emphasis. She spent the summer working with children at SeaWorld camp. In her spare time Ms. Kochon likes to spend time with her family, travel, kayak, and cook. She is very excited to work with 3rd graders at Explorer this year

Brooke Kronenburg Newman

Brooke Newman has been teaching at Explorer since 2003. Before that she taught for three years in the Oceanside School District. She has a B.A. and a multiple subject teaching credential with CLAD emphasis from UCSD. In 2002, she returned to UCSD to receive her M.A. and developed social curriculum in the area of service learning. Ms. Newman enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, cooking, traveling, and learning new things that she can incorporate into her classroom.

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Fourth Grade >>View Curriculum

Misa Adams

Misa Adams is joining the Explorer faculty this year after an exemplary teaching career in both the Poway Unified School District and The Children's School in La Jolla. She comes to our school with excellent references. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from UCSD and University of San Diego, as well as a Reading Specialist Credential.

Grace Bragg

Christine Kuhl

Christine Kuhl feels grateful to be a part of the Explorer community. She is especially excited about the school-wide social emotional focus because this is something she has always believed is important for teaching and learning. Christine has experience in a variety of school settings within San Diego and abroad. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential from San Marcos State University, and he M Ed. from Chapman University. Christine loves spending time with her family, traveling, practicing yoga, dance and the ocean. This year, she is looking forward to watching her students grow as well as to expand her own teaching skills.

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Fifth Grade >>View Curriculum

Becky Frost

Becky frost earned her B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts at the University of San Diego. She has been at Explorer for four years and prior to that taught 5th grade in San Francisco for five years. During those years she led the Technology Leadership Academy and led teacher workshops using technology to support their classroom curriculum and developed classroom websites. Her husband, Brian, teaches the 6th grade Academy Class for the Poway Unified school District. She spent the summer enjoying her two boys, parker who is 4 and Ben who is 2 years old.

ThuHien Vo Malesky

ThuHien Vo Malesky has been part of the Explorer family since 2005. She holds a Master’s Degree in Policy Studies in Language & Cross-Cultural Education from San Diego State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has previously worked at Buckingham, Brown, and Nichols in Boston, the United Nations International School in Vietnam, and Club Boulevard Arts & Humanities Magnet School in Durham, NC. She loves to travel, read, cook, and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for life and learning with her students.

Patricia Lim

Patricia Lim is thrilled to teach at Explorer. She loves teaching and learning with her students and encouraging creativity and deep thinking. Prior to teaching at Explorer, Patricia taught for three years at a charter school in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Clear Multiple Subject teaching credential with CLAD emphasis, and a M.Ed. from UCSD. Aside from teaching, Patricia enjoys traveling, painting, and spending time with her son who is a student at Explorer. She is very excited about working with our 4th graders this year.

Ashley Carrico

Ashley Carrico comes to Explorer with excellent credentials. As a fourth grade teacher for five years in Orange County, she was voted "Teacher of the Year" at her school in 2003. She has been a leader in her school and has brought experience, intelligence and a high level of enthusiasm and competence to her classroom at Explorer. She has taught fifth grade for the last three years at Explorer.

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