September 2015 - Welcome New Family MembersThis year we welcome 12 new members to our family. We decided to introduce them in a fun way. We are excited to have them here and are already amazed at what we see from them in the classroom with your students.

To show I am willing to put myself “out there” the same as I ask them to do, here are my responses to the same prompts:

Ben Dale - PrincipalUndergrad - Texas A&M University (whoop!)Proudest moment - when she said “yes.” The Colonel and I just celebrated 20 years. I am constantly amazed that such a beautiful, smart and capable woman would be married to a goof like me.Surprising fun fact - I’m very close to finishing and putting up on iTunes the 3rd album Rebel Soul by my band Truckstop. Music is the perfect art form for me to use as an escape.#1 Bucket List item - to give a speech on the value of global education to the UN General Assembly.What I love about teaching - when lives are changed for the better. For a time I taught JrROTC at Littlerock High School in Palmdale. At graduation A.J. Szoke’s mom came up to me and said, “thank you for making my son a better son.” A small moment, but it embodies what I love most about teaching.Photo: I was on season 7 of Wipeout and this is a photo of me attacking the Big Balls. Science teacher Karl Kurz (torn rotator cuff) and I (six broken ribs) competed together and were done after round 2. Booooo! This photo was the Wipeout Facebook icon for season 7.

Caroline Buck - FrenchUndergrad - Laval University in Quebec, Canada.Proudest moment - winning boarder-cross in snowboarding, getting straight "A's" while studying in the US, and when I got the job at Mira Costa.Surprising fun fact - I am married to a musician and I have been in a few music videos as well as a Doritos ad.#1 Bucket List item - go to Peru and visit the Machu Picchu ruins.What I love about teaching - So many things... If I had to pick one, it would be watching students making all the little breakthroughs, from being nervous and scared to the excitement they get when they finally understand beyond their beliefs. I remember last year when Edwin couldn't believe that he was writing a full paragraph in French at a fast pace, without thinking. He raised his hand and said “Mrs Buck, I can't believe this, the words come so easy, I am flowing!”Photo: Pictured far right with Guillermo at the taping of The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Dr. Andrea Cons-Diller - EnglishUndergrad - Eastern Washington University.Proudest moment - earning my Ph.D. from UCI in 2013 (a brutal, yet amazing journey).Surprising fun fact - my husband and I have 5 cats and my friends call me Dr. Dre.#1 Bucket List item - skydiving.What I love about teaching - connecting with students, instilling in them a love of literature, and making lame literature jokes/puns.Photo: At the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas marathon.

Amber Dixon - ArtUndergrad - Long Beach St.Proudest moment - having my paintings purchased by people all over the world.Surprising fun fact - I LOVE dogs.#1 Bucket List item - travel to South America.What I love about teaching - getting to know each individual student, learning what they love, and making a personal connection with them.Photo: An “Art Battle” with Ms. Martin at TedX Manhattan Beach.

Keely Gabbert - EnglishUndergrad - Cal Poly SLO.Proudest moment - The birth of my son, Ephraim, last October.Surprising fun fact - After graduating from South High in 2002, I moved north to San Luis Obispo and kept going north, before hitting Seattle two years ago.  While I didn’t think I’d ever be back in the South Bay, I’m excited I’m here.#1 Bucket List item - running another sub 2-hour marathon.What I love about teaching - I have met so many great kids over the years; I love finding out about what they have accomplished post-graduation, and am always honored when they reach back out to me after graduation and tell me how I had a positive impact on them.Photo: Running a 5k with her son.

Stephanie Giacchetti - Special EducationUndergrad - I received my undergrad at Eastern Illinois University.Proudest moment - I have many things to be proud and happy about in different areas of my life. Most recently, I would say I am most proud of presenting locally & nationally this past year about using CORE vocabulary to expand students’ language skills.Surprising fun fact - You’d be surprised to know that I dominate burrito eating contests. #1 Bucket List item - A top item on my bucket list at the moment is to go cliff jumping in the Hawaiian islands. What I love about teaching - The relationships formed with my students, and often their families, is the thing I love most about teaching. It is also the thing that helps me be the best teacher I can be because it gives me an understanding on how to better reach them.Photo: Center with her niece and nephew.

Maddie Hutchinson - EnglishUndergrad - San Fransisco State University.Proudest moment - when I announced I was being hired here at the Drama banquet and there was a great response.Surprising fun fact - Madison is my middle name and my Dad took it from the movie Splash.#1 Bucket List item - seeing elephants in their natural habitat on as many continents as possible.What I love about teaching - Watching the students feel passionate about learning and growing is extremely rewarding. Photo: Center, reunion with the Costa cast of Into the Woods.

Lauren Melton - ScienceUndergrad - Chico State.Proudest moment - Coordinating Shade Hotel’s Wine Event in 2012 raising over $20,000 for MBMS and of course, being hired as a science teacher at Costa!Surprising fun fact - I am obsessed with traveling, sailing, scuba diving, skiing and cats#1 Bucket List item - I would love to visit Iceland and scuba dive in between the Eurasia and North American plates!  What I love about teaching - I love inspiring students and showing them that learning doesn't stop when you walk out the classroom door. It is up to the individual to decide where he or she will focus his or her valuable time and energy outside of school, hopefully I can get them off of social media and outside in nature!Photo: Enjoying a home-cooked meal in Vietnam. 

Crystal Meyer - Spanish/FrenchUndergrad - UCLA.Proudest moment - The birth our son last year.Surprising fun fact - I love heavy metal including 80's and 90's hair metal.#1 Bucket list item - Visiting Italy and China.What I love about teaching - The fact that every day,  every class period is different.Photo: Left, at the Galifrey One Convention, a Dr. Who convention with her husband and son.

Ernesto Nodado - ScienceUndergrad - UCLA.Proudest moment - entering U.S. school in 10th grade as an EL student, then taking an AP course load as a 12th grader. Surprising fun fact - I do triathlons.#1 Bucket List item - to travel to all continents.What I love about teaching - when students have that "eureka" moment.Photo: Bungee jumping off the Bridge to Nowhere in Angeles Forest.

Shalyn Tharayil - College and Career CenterUndergrad: UCLA (Go Bruins!)Proudest Moment: Completing a half marathon in 2 hours and 5 minutes, non stop!Surprising fun fact: I LOVE to travel, and in the past year alone have been to Germany, Austria, Hungary, Colombia, and Panama.#1 Bucket List Item: More traveling! I want to hit 30 new countries/cities before I turn 30 (3 years to go!)What I love about counseling – I love getting to know the student, and helping the student get in touch with what their strengths and passions are. When you approach college & career exploration with self-awareness, you are much more likely to find a school or career that is perfect for you, and will truly make you happy.Photo: Being the third wheel in Vienna!

Johnny Tran - ScienceUndergrad - Long Beach St.Proudest moment - receiving my teaching credential. It's been a long journey.Surprising fun fact - ride motorcycles and go to the shooting range.#1 Bucket List item - explore Japan.What I love about teaching - every day is different and that even on bad days I always feel like, "What can I do to be better tomorrow?”Photo: Archery class at Long Beach St.

Leanne Weaver - MathUndergrad - Western Washington University.Proudest moment - The days my children were born.Surprising fun fact - My kids do TV work and played Amy Pohler’s kids on the show Parks and Rec.#1 Bucket List item - Relocate my family from England to the U.S.What I love about teaching - Seeing and being with kids. I love people and especially young people.Photo: Center, after a training session with Blake Griffin and Sasha Vujacic.