Innovations Academy is fortunate to have highly qualified support staff on campus. These folks are the most supportive, flexible and loving people you will ever meet.
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Samantha
Staff, School Counselor and AMFT Supervised under Jennifer Kuebler, Licensed Marriage and Family TherapistMy name is Samantha (everyone calls me Sam) and this is my fourth year serving as IA’s school counselor. During my free time, you can find me at the beach with my family, doing pilates, or drinking a nice cup of coffee. I have always felt a purpose and passion to advocate for children’s right to be heard, respected, and valued. This passion encouraged me to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development in 2017. I was also an intern and assistant at Innovations Academy from 2016-18, in the Solution Center where I gained insight on children’s mental health, Positive Discipline, and comprehending the value of Mindfulness.
I went on to receive my Master’s in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I began my practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee in 2019. I truly love working with children and their families and I look forward to a wonderful year ahead.
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Hola a todos! My name is Patrick Murphy-O’Connor and I’ll be teaching Spanish at Innovations Academy for my 7th year. Even though my name looks very Irish, I was raised in Madrid, Spain. I moved to San Diego in March 2015 because I was lucky enough to meet and marry a great California girl, and now we have begun a new chapter in this beautiful city!
I obtained my teaching degree in Spain, at the Universidad Complutense of Madrid in 2003 and since then, I’ve taught many different age groups from preschool through middle school. Over the years I’ve specialized in teaching a foreign language, but my method has an added twist. I really like bringing out students’ creativity and originality, and use drama, art and music as my tools. I’m so excited to be teaching in our new and wonderful school!
Also I am now a father of two! Our latest addition is baby Finley, born at the end of June 2020.
Outside of school, I like playing music–in particular the bass–and am proud to have been able to record an album with my old band (Sunnare) in Madrid . I also enjoy skating and surfing the beautiful coast of California, as well as traveling and camping anywhere I can.
Que ganas tengo de empezar YA…¡nos vemos pronto!
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Mary
Staff, Nature Studies/Garden EdHi everyone! This will be my 10th year teaching Nature Studies at IA. I’m so fortunate to work at a school that recognizes the value and benefits of outdoor learning.
I have been connecting children with nature as an environmental educator for over 30 years. It’s more than a career; it’s my passion! I use inquiry-based learning techniques to help children explore and understand the natural world, and to excite them about the wonders of nature.
I have created and implemented curricula for a myriad of diverse audiences as an educator at the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and other nonprofit organizations and nature centers throughout San Diego and Wisconsin.
I am a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation, and Education Chair on the board of San Diego Children and Nature.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Marquette University, and am a published writer. I am currently working on a series of children’s books. I am also an amateur photographer, and my work has been displayed at several juried art shows.
I enjoy exploring the world, and have traveled to six continents. I spend my spare time with my two favorite people in the whole world–my 11th grade daughter Jacy and my college-aged son Stephen–and our menagerie of animals, which includes a rabbit, a bearded dragon, 2 chameleons, a tortoise, a snake, 2 uromastyx, and 10 Madagascar hissing cockroaches!
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Marquette University, and am a published writer. I am currently working on a series of children’s books. I am also an amateur photographer, and my work has been displayed at several juried art shows.
I enjoy exploring the world, and have traveled to five continents. I spend my spare time with my two favorite people in the whole world, my 9th grade daughter and 12th grade son, and our menagerie of animals, which includes a dog, 2 rabbits, a bearded dragon, a tortoise, a snake, and 5 Madagascar hissing cockroaches!
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Natasha
Staff, Performing ArtsI was born in Kent and raised in historic Leicestershire, England. I started dance and theatre at a young age and studied Theatre, Dance, English and Communications at Melton Mowbray College. My parents always encouraged me to travel and try new things and I guess I took it to heart because after working professionally for several years I took an opportunity that brought me to America.
I lived in New England for almost 8 years and during that time I danced in a contemporary dance company and worked full time in a theatre as an actor, resident choreographer and ran the Children’s Theatre Workshop program, amongst a whole range of other jobs that go along with working in a theatre. During that time I also had the chance to work with various other local theatre companies and school theatre programs.
My husband and I eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue film and television, which was fun (you can find me on IMDB) but made me realize that my first love is really theatre and dance. I took a break from Hollywood for a while to pursue a career in fitness and gained 3 national personal training certifications. I worked for 24Hr Fitness, Semper Fit at MCAS Miramar and trained privately for many years.
Shortly after 9/11 my husband joined the Navy Reserves as a corpsman and after a tour in Iraq, he was stationed on active duty in San Diego, we moved our young family and have been here ever since.
I was introduced to Innovations Academy on the recommendation of a friend and both of my children started in kindergarten. At the end of the 2013/14 school year I was invited to run a Performing arts pilot program at IA and built it into the robust program it is today. My daughter is now a junior at the MET high school and my son is in 8th grade this year.
The mission of the Performing Arts Program is to empower every student with the tools to confidently stand before a crowd and have their voice heard, to provide an artistic outlet, to enhance their learning experience by integrating into the curriculum and to support their teachers.
I think Innovations Academy is an incredibly special learning environment and I am honored to be part of such a dedicated and talented team.
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My name is Jenn Shank and I am incredibly excited to be starting at Innovations Academy in 3rd grade this year! I am relocating to San Diego from San Antonio Texas, my home town. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors in Applied learning and Development with a minor in Literacy Development. I have been a classroom teacher for 7 years in several cities and countries! I taught first grade in Austin for 2 years then my wanderlust took me to teach in Melbourne, Australia for three years where I taught several grade levels ranging from K-6th. After meeting my partner, we returned back to the states and continued teaching in San Antonio for two years. I am most excited about being close to the beach again, beautiful weather, and more opportunities to hike and walk with my little mutt Pops. I love animals, reading, cooking, being outdoors, all things Disney! My last name being Shank created a classroom theme of “Shank Sharks” so be ready for all of the shark gear!!
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Coach Rich
Staff, PE InstructorHi, my name is Rich Curry, but at IA just call me coach! I’m the athletic director and PE instructor for kindergarten through 8th grade. This is my 5th year at IA and I’m really looking forward to this coming school year!
My passion lies in the joy of teaching all my students about an array of sports and the skills, team work, communication, respect, failures and triumphs that come with sports participation. My goal is to guide our students through a unique physical education experience. It’s literally our own genuine IA mix of traditional sports with Positive Discipline to support students. I believe that support, trust, and smart repetition are major building blocks for unlocking potential and building skills and self-confidence. By the way, have you heard that at IA failures and mistakes are opportunities to learn? It’s true! I can’t wait to see you out there! Let’s have some fun and build up our skills!
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I am so excited to be returning to Innovations this year! I previously taught K & 1st for many years at IA and now I will be returning as the 2D Art teacher! I grew up near the ocean, camping across California and dreaming under cherimoya trees in my Australian grandmother’s wild back yard. This connection with nature is an important part of who I am as a teacher and artist. As an educator, who has been working with children for over 30 years, I love sharing the wonder of the world- both the natural world, and the world of passionate artists, past and present. I feel strongly that art is for everyone, whether a child imagines they will one day join the myriad of artistic careers out there, or if they use it as their own outlet or mindfulness strategy. We all can benefit from getting creative each day! As an artist, I love exploring mixed media, watercolor, and silk painting as well as art journaling, knitting, crochet and sewing. I come from a line of women who were always making something and I feel proud to be able to pass on all the skills I learned from my Nanna, aunts and Mum. My resume also includes being a member of the San Diego Silk Guild, a juried artist at Spanish Village and owning my own community art studio, The Grateful Dandelion Atelier. Personally, I create art to convey serenity, love and to remind others of the joy and healing that connecting with nature can bring. When I’m not teaching or creating, you might find me dancing, reading, drinking tea, reading tarot, traveling or camping near a creek in the Sierras.
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I am excited to start my second year here at IA teaching 4th grade and begin my 8th year teaching. I worked at another charter school here in San Diego, as a 4th grade teacher for over 4 years so I am excited to share my knowledge and continue to grow as an educator! I graduated from CSU Chico in 2015 with my BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Child Development. While in school I studied abroad in Italy and volunteered in classrooms. I stayed at CSU Chico to receive my multiple subject teaching credential and student taught 5th and 8th graders that year as well. Before moving to San Diego in 2018 I worked in Los Angeles as a 6th grade English teacher and then as a long-term substitute teaching 6th grade English and History. I have worked with kids for half of my life and I am passionate in helping our students achieve their personal goals and building personal relationships with each one of them.
In my free time I like to be outdoors going on hikes and on the beach. I enjoy traveling whenever I get the chance and I love going on long walks. I am so excited to start our new and exciting year of 4th grade. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or information you would like me to know about you and your student.
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Hi all! This year will be my third year teaching at Innovations Academy. Teaching 3D Art is the dream and I am so excited that IA is making that dream come true! I have my BA in Applied Design with an emphasis in ceramics, a Single-Subject Art Credential, and my Master’s in Education with an emphasis in English Learner Equity and Academic Achievement. I believe art is for everyone and is a fantastic outlet for expression and can encourage self discovery. Art is a cathartic and potentially calming practice that I am excited to share with my students this year. I hope to pass on my love for clay and sculpture, and inspire others to explore the world of art. I mostly spend my free time creating or learning a new craft. If I am not doing something art related then I am hanging out with my dogs, playing Mario Kart, camping, seeing live music, reading a horror book, or watching a scary movie.
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Hello everyone! My name is Clara Escutia and I am delighted to be welcomed into the IA family. I was born in Guanajuato Mexico and was raised in Kern County CA (Arvin). I pursued my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University of Billings. I recently obtained my Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego. My teaching background varies from EAK through 6th grade both in charter and public schools. I am passionate about transforming the definition of what a valuable education means. In my spare time, I enjoy being physically active, painting, watching live musical concerts, as well as attending fun family events. I have two beautiful children who keep me on my feet and keep life exciting, a husband and a loveable husky dog.
I look forward to learning and growing in this close network of awesome teachers at IA.
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My name is Jen Franklin, and I am the Reading Specialist at Innovations Academy, though I really like the name one of my students chose for me last year: The Word Teacher! I started teaching first grade at IA when my oldest child was in the 6th grade here; he just graduated from UCSD with a BS in Mathematics Computer Science, so that gives you an idea of how long I’ve been around. My second child also attended IA, and she is now a thriving Biology major at UCSB.
In my free time, I love reading, watching documentaries with my husband and hiking all over with my sister Jody (who also happens to work at this wonderful school)!
This year, I look forward to continuing individual and small group reading sessions with identified students as well as working collaboratively with elementary teachers to teach reading groups in classrooms. I am passionate about the importance of teaching ALL children to read, and I truly believe that literacy is a civil right!
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Hello Everyone,
I am super excited to be joining the IA team as your new SLP. I am originally from Virginia Beach, VA and have been in sunny CA for four years. I’m a beach gal so in my free time, I enjoy sitting under an umbrella with my toes in the sand and a book in my hand. I have been exploring and learning to appreciate hiking in “the hills” with my amazing sister and my devoted, beast of a dog, Bear. I love snacking, movietime, and traveling to exotic destinations with my family and friends.
After raising my three children, I received my Associate’s Degree in Social Science in 2012 from TCC, and my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science Disorders in 2016, and my Master of Science in Education in 2018 from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.
Kiddos bring me SO much joy, and helping them communicate effectively so they can establish friendships and academic success is my top priority. I look forward to creating a welcoming, stimulating, and engaging environment for learning, growth, and expression.