The 8th Grade Team

Melanie Earls

English
Education: San Diego State University
​​Bachelor's Degree: Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in education
Master's Degree: Education

Philosophy of Education:
"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice.  -Brian Herbert
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In the English class, I hope students will appreciate, learn, and love the gift of reading and writing (yes, writing)!  Reading and writing are critically fundamental skills that transfer to all subject areas and career choices.  Both, however, students must be willing to engage in.  In this new era of elearning, reading and writing will require more willingness as this journey is new for us all.  Onward, we will go together, through collaboration and practice

Laurie   Worthington

Math
Education: University of California, San Diego
Bachelor's Degree: Psychology
Master's Degree: Education

Philosophy of Education: I believe that every student can be a successful mathematician, given encouraagement, patience, and nurturing. Mathematics is highly relevant in today's society and, as such, is an essential part of a well-rounded education. It is my goal to make mathematics accessible to all my students through engaging lessons and real world applications.

Athena Manjarrez

U.S.  History
​Education: University of California, Irvine
Bachelor's Degree: Comparative Culture
Master's Degree: Curriculum and Instruction

Philosophy of Education: All students deserve to have a positive and inspiring educational experience.  With curriculum that is designed in ways that help students make personal connections and teachers who value their voices, learning becomes meaningful.  As a teacher during a time of drastic change, I will provide students with opportunities to be informed about current events and examine how history has influenced the present.  Historical events should be studied from multiple perspectives and students should be given resources that allow them to hear the voices of those whose stores are often left out of U.S. History textbooks and classes.  Lastly, I believe students should be provided with opportunities to see their place inthe world and understand that they can influence it with their beliefs, actions, and inaction.  More than ever, students today should be encouraged to have a vision of a better future and decide how they will make change  happen.