Instructional Staff - Highland Tech High - Anchorage School District Charter School

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Language Arts
Jenna Counts Writing Levels E-2 Yearbook	Michelle Carton Level 3 Reading Levels E-2	Erik Johnson Levels 3-6
Science
Lori Gillam Levels 2, 4	Darren Kellerby levels 1,3	Ayme Johnson Level E Physics and Marine Biology
Mathematics
Lori Gillam levels 1-3	Meghan Mahoney Levels 1-3	Jason Arthur levels 3-6
Todd Burningham

Social Environments
Meta Baxter levels E-2	Adam Robinson Levels 4-6	Nicole Crosby levels 3,5

Language Arts

Jenna Counts
Writing
Levels E-2
Yearbook
ROOM 32
Website • email

Jenna Counts received her Bachelor's Degree in English in 1991 and has taught in rural Alaska for the past 16 years. She has participated in the Quality Schools Model workshops, symposiums, and institutes offered by ASDN and RISC. While teaching in Koyuk, she had the opportunity to learn from the 6-triat masters: Vicki Spandel and Ruth Culhum. After her introduction to the traits, writing became a passion. Thrilled to have an objective way to score papers and a vocabulary to use in writing conversations, the love affair continued. In 2002 she became the writing facilitator for the Bering Strait School District traveling to villages working with k-12 teachers on how to assess writing, teach students the traits, conference young writers, and use writing as a tool to learn content. She has continued to further her language arts knowledge through ongoing studies with Bread Loaf School of English.

Science

Darren Kellerby
Science
Levels 1, 3
ROOM 34
Website • email

My name is Darren Kellerby and I’ll be teaching Science Levels 3- 4, and Lego Robotics this year at Highland Tech High. I spent the last two years teaching in the Yupik village Napakiak (just downriver from Bethel). Originally I’m from Grand Junction, CO, where I grew up and eventually graduated from Mesa State College in 2005. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in science education from Montana State University. During my free time I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing, and playing soccer. Under a roof I love to play guitar poorly, watch my Cubs lose every year, and watch Mel Brooks movies.

I’m excited to be living in Anchorage and working with such a dedicated staff. It’s going to be a great year!

Ayme Johnson
Science
Level E
Physics and Marine Biology
ROOM 38
website • email

Although Ayme claims to be found in room 38, her hope is to provide as much learning outside of the room this year as possible. Ayme strongly believes that providing students with contextual learning experiences more effectively meets the academic needs of all students. Contextual learning also develops character, builds community, supports academics and emphasizes accountability. Through standards-based design and the support of amazing administrators and teachers, she has been given the tools and opportunities for growth that most teachers could only dream of. Her students are inspiring and talented. Ayme feels very, very lucky to be teaching at such a quality school.

Mathematics

Lori Gillam
Math Levels 1-2
Science
Levels 2, 4
ROOM 24
Website • email

Hi, I'm Lori Gillam and with the exception of going to college, have lived within a radius of 7 miles of HTH for my whole life! This is the 18th year in secondary education, having taught at Steller, Central Middle School, worked in science curriculum and instruction, and as a teacher mentor with the State-wide Teacher Mentor project. I've earned a BS in biology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. My masters degree is in geosciences through Mississippi State (Go Bulldogs!). I am a NASA educator astronaut teacher, and enjoy any opportunity to meld NASA and space research into my classroom. This year I am particularly excited to be able to help students deepen their understanding of mathematics as it relates to the world around them - through contextual applications. I'm really excited to work in such a dynamic learning environment.

"Explore. Discover. Understand"
NASA mission, STS-114

Jason Arthur
Math
ROOM 19
Website • email

After being born and raised in Moab, Utah, and living in Grand Junction and Denver, Colorado, Mr. Arthur is continuing his dream to live in adventurous places. He moved to Alaska in June 2008 with his wife, Erin, and dog, Clifford. He attended College at Mesa State College where he majored in Math and played football, and taught Math and coached two years in Parachute, CO, and then two years at Welby New Tech in Denver before moving to Anchorage. He has coached football, basketball, cross country and track & field in the past, and has recently furthered his education through experiential trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Guatemala, and Canada. He has high hopes and expectations that the students at HTH will continue their improvements in mathematics, and have a great time doing it!

Todd Burningham
Special Education with Mathematics Focus
ROOM 28
Website • email

Hi, my name Is Todd Burningham and I am a new teacher at Highland this year. I am a transplant from Michigan. I have been teaching for 6 years in secondary special education. I completed my Bachelors Degree from Central Michigan University, and am currently working on a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Michigan State University.

Meghan Mahoney
Math
Levels 1-3
ROOM 23
Website • email

Raised in Alaska, it is my honor to dive into my third year teaching math and science in this fascinating state. This is my first year at Highland Tech. My undergraduate degree is in mathematics from the University of Alaska Anchorage and my graduate degree is in teaching mathematics, also from UAA. When I'm not at school, I can be found at the Alaska Rock Gym rock climbing, at home quilting, in the Chugach or Kenai Mountains hiking, rafting on a local creek or river and fishing where the fish might be found.
My blog is a space where all HTH shareholders can stay updated on my classroom activities. Daily posts will keep you aware of current projects, assignments, deadlines and any spectacular events happening at Highland.
Enjoy and please feel free to send an e-mail with any comments or questions. mahoney_meghan@asdk12.org

Social Environments

Meta Baxter
Social Environments
Levels E-2
ROOM 33
Website • email

Welcome to Parents and Students! The intent of this website is to assist both parents and students in keeping in touch with me. In time, I plan to have all homework and classroom assignments on this site. I look forward to a great year for each of our families. I welcome and encourage volunteer time in your student's classroom. Highland Tech's philosophy of "Educating for Leadership; Educating for Life" requires involvement of not only the school but the families as well. I look forward to working with all of you.

In addition to Advisory, I will also be teaching Level I Social Environments (Geography) and Level 2 (Government); and Careers classes . One thing about education is that we are able to touch so many lives and cross so many paths. It is my goal for each of my students to take with them something from our path's crossing that makes them a better member of society.

Nicole Crosby
Social Environments
Levels 3, 5
ROOM 16
Website • email

I was born and raised in Northeast Oregon and attended college at the University of Idaho. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and have been substituting throughout the Anchorage School District. This is my first year at Highland Tech and I am teaching Social Environments level 3, Technology levels 1-3 and Media Literacy, in addition to advisory.

Alaska has many things to offer and I have been trying to experience each of them. During the summer I can be found fishing, camping, riding bikes on trails, and playing softball. As for the wintertime, I love sledding, cooking, watching movies (especially at the Bear Tooth), going to Aces games, attempting to snowboard, and will hopefully be adding Nordic skiing to the list this year.

I look forward to an exciting and successful year here at Highland!

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