A School with Great Teachers
Guiding your student's journey beyond education
Grades K-2
Dee Dee Remington (K teacher) — I joined Innovations Academy because of their choice to use an incredibly innovative curriculum, Direct Instruction System for Teaching Arithmetic and Reading. I have experience and a desire to work in a charter school because of the freedom and creativity it allows me to bring to my classroom. I have an undergraduate degree in International Affairs and Spanish from the George Washington University in Washington, DC and received my Masters in Education from George Mason University in Virginia. My hero is Rosie 'the Riveter' Monroe from the "We Can Do It" campaign of the 1940's. I feel I can do anything I put my mind to and I hope to teach your students the same. I look forward to working with your Kindergarten students this year!
Visit Dee Dee's blog.
Karrlie O'Connor (1st grade teacher) — After relocating to San Diego in the last year I am so happy to have a found a home at Innovations Academy. The freedom to be creative in teaching is what has kept me working in independent schools and began my voyage into a Charter School. My education career began in northern CA, ten years ago, where I worked as the director of an after school program, substitute, and aide for a K-5 independent school. In the past few years I have also worked in Outside Sales, held an admin position at an all girls school, and taught first grade. My most recent experience with Kindergarten was as a long term substitute at the San Diego Jewish Academy. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design from California State University of Chico and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix.
I am a "mom" to a one year old boxer who wears my fiance and I out. Parents, I really respect the hard work you put into raising your children as having a dog is enough for us! We love to go on hikes, visit dog beach, and visit with our family down the street.
Visit Karrlie's blog.
Erica Thompson (2nd grade teacher) — I was born and raised in San Diego and have lived here most of my life except for 6 years that I spent living on California's North Coast in a little town called Arcata. It was here that I discovered my passion for a different kind of education as a child development major at Humboldt State University. It was also here that my amazing husband and I welcomed our son into the world. He is the light of my life and teaches me so much everyday. We have been back in San Diego now for almost 3 years and are loving it! I consider myself extremely lucky to be a part of Innovations Academy and the amazing staff, teachers, and families that make this one of the best places to teach and learn in San Diego!
Visit Erica's blog.
Grades 3-5
Patrick Garland (3rd grade teacher) - I was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in the same house my parents were married in. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 18. At Loyola Marymount University I studied Communications. Later, I went back to LMU to get a degree in education. I taught at a progressive school in Los Angeles for five years. I moved to San Diego last year to join the IA community.
Visit Patrick's blog!
Kim Brunetto (4th grade teacher) — I can't wait to teach your children! Innovations Academy offers a unique opportunity for your children and also for me as a teacher. Your children will participate in creative lessons designed to assist them in applying school to life. I joined this school because of its commitment to a social-emotional curriculum, direct instruction, service in the community, and passionate teaching.
My educational background includes completion of a B.S. in Psychology and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. For the last three years, I helped to advance K-6 students in Language Arts and Math when their scores were low. I've worked as a classroom teacher, as a member of the Reading Lab team, with Special Education students, and in after school intervention programs.
I am a single mother of two children - my pride and joys! We live with a feisty, orange, rescue cat named Lucy. She's somewhat unusual as she fetches her toys like a dog. I love teaching and inspiring children and promise to show your children the same love and commitment I would want a teacher to show my own children.
Visit Kim's blog.
Bill Thomas (5th grade teacher) — I was drawn to Innovations Academy because of the artistic expression this school offered for both teacher and student. I have been looking for just the right school and I found it! I feel wanted, appreciated, and accepted here. Each of us has a unique gift to offer the world. At Innovations Academy I know these gifts of mine will be fully realized through endless possibilities. I received my BA in Geography. I believe that having an understanding of the world in this day and age is imperative. My heroes are Gandi, MLK, and artists like Stevie Wonder, who seek the higher level of expression, which is inclusive to all people.
Visit Bill's blog.
Grades 6-8
Stay tuned for our 2 new 6th grade teachers!
Tony Spitzberg (7th grade teacher) — I am originally from Dallas, Texas and have lived in San Diego for eight years. I have a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Tulane University and recently received my Masters in Education from the University of San Diego. I firmly believe that children benefit from a student-centered classroom where they are active and learn by doing. My role is to treat students as co-creators in the learning process, with their own ideas and concerns that deserve attention and consideration. I aspire to help my students discover the tools that will enable them to achieve their highest potential. This is why I am so excited to join the Innovations Academy community, where the emphasis on self-expression, compassionate connection, and purposeful learning is second to none!
Visit Tony's blog.
My name is First and foremost, I am a mother of six children. Five of them are still at home with me and my high school sweetheart, Brian. They range in age from 16 to 6. We live in Poway and are active in our community in youth and church activities, baseball, piano, horseback riding....well, you name it we've done it! I love to swim, run, read in the bubble bath and spend as much time at the beach as possible. I dream of some day participating in a triathalon and paddling down the Amazon river.
I went to Mission Bay High School here in San Diego and graduated from Brigham Young University-Hawaii where I recieved my BS in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. I am currently in the process of finishing my Masters in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. I have spent the last ten years tutoring kids of all ages in math and science. I am passionate about teaching and watching children visualize and reach their highest potential.
I am grateful to be a part of something big in San Diego and I look forward to seeing the impact the children and families at Innovations Academy will have on our community.
Visit Lisa's blog and Lisa's class page.
Home Learning Community (Independent Study Teachers for Homeschoolers)
Jill Keltner (Home Learning Community, K-2 Teacher) — I am very excited to come work at Innovations in the 2010/11 school year. I’ve been an educator for over 25 years, beginning as a gymnastics coach and camp counselor, working as a classroom teacher, tutor, yoga teacher, and, most recently, homeschooling my kids for four years. I look forward to having the opportunity to create a community of home educated learners, something I missed as a homeschooling parent.
I got my BA in English at UC Berkeley and my teaching credential at UC Berkeley's Bay Area Writing Project. I have two boys, Ben (10) and Aiden (8). We came to San Diego two years ago. Before coming here we lived in Cambridge MA, Oxford England, and San Francisco CA. We love to travel, camp, hike, read, write, dance, make music, do yoga, play soccer, basketball, and chess.
Jennifer McMakin (Home Learning Community 2-6 Teacher)I am so very excited to be a part of the Innovations Home Learners program this year!
I am a home schooling mother of two truly amazing girls, ages 9 and 8. It is incredibly rewarding to be there with them when those “aha!” moments occur in their lives. I love reading, belly dancing, attending Renaissance Fairs, spending time at home with my family, cuddling with our cats and all sorts of gaming. Once a week, I co-lead a Girl Scout troop of 10 giggly, spectacularly active and creative girls.
I am also a learning specialist who focuses on helping students become independent, self-motivated learners. After earning both my B.A. in Elementary Education and my Master’s degree in Special Education, I spent the next 19 years working with struggling students in a variety of settings; from public school classrooms and special education resource rooms to private school classrooms and after-school tutoring. Currently, in addition to home schooling my own children, I run a private educational therapy business.