Dana Peltier Science, Writing, Math ROOM 32 Website • email

Originally from Minnesota, Ms. Peltier finally realized her lifelong dream of moving to Alaska in 2002 when she took a teaching position on the windiest part of the Seward Peninsula.  She also has experience teaching at STARBASE Alaska and Hanshew Middle School.  Ms. Peltier earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Montana in Biology, with an Ecology emphasis and a Pre Medicine minor. After deciding that the medical field wasn't for her, she went back to earn a Masters degree from St. Cloud State University in Interdisciplinary Teacher Preparation.  Ms. Peltier is passionate about the sciences and excited to instill this enthusiasm and curiosity in her students.

Meta Baxter Social Studies, Mathematics ROOM 33 Website • email

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.

Criss Mitchell Language Arts, Math, Physical Education ROOM 34 Website • email

Criss was born in Seoul, Korea, and grew up traveling the military bases of the United States. After years of restless wandering, he completed his degree in English Literature at Washington State University and his master’s degree at University of Alaska. He teaches to remind himself to never stop asking questions and seeking answers.

Lori Gillam Math ROOM 16 • 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

Instructional Staff – Divisions 2&3 (grades 9-10)

Heather Doncaster Science, Math ROOM 19 Website • email

I grew up in the little town of Quincy Washington.  I played tons of sports in high school and was lucky enough to get a scholarship to play basketball and fastpitch softball at Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee WA.  After two years of school there I got recruited to play basketball for Northwest Nazarene University.  I was also on the track team as a thrower.  I graduated from NNU in 2001 with a degree in biology education and a minor in art education.  After college I got a teaching job at Waterville High School in Waterville WA.  It was a very small school so I taught a wide variety of subjects.  I taught Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Life Science, and Agriculture.  I was also the head girls basketball coach and FFA advisor.  I was quite busy.  I taught there for two years then in 2003 I decided to move to the big city of Spokane WA.  I subbed in the Mead school district and I was the freshman basketball coach and throwing coach at Mt. Spokane High School. I was there right up till the end of August 2004, then I moved to the great state of Alaska!   In addition to my job as a teacher, I am also the Volunteer Coordinator for the Alaska Zoo!

Jeff Johnson Instructional Technology, Social Studies ROOM 22 Website • email

Jeff Johnson was raised in Nome, Alaska and enjoys many outdoor activities, especially hunting and snowmachining. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History Education in 1998 and has taught in rural Alaskan communities for the past five years. This past year, he taught under the Quality Schools model where he used a standards-based system in his literacy, numeracy, and technology classrooms. Mr. Johnson was an ARCTIC 6 participant and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. He enjoys troubleshooting, media productions, and web designing.

Lisa Talbott Language Arts ROOM 23 Website • email

Lisa Talbott wanted to be a teacher since the second grade when her teacher, Mrs. Worthington, opened up to her the world of reading and writing. Born in Burien, WA, and raised in Fayetteville, GA, Mrs. Talbott knew she was home when she moved to Anchorage, Alaska in the 7th grade. Mrs. Talbott has a Bachelor's degree in literature and a Master's degree in teaching. She believes that literature is the map that helps us navigate through our journey of life. Besides literature, Mrs. Talbott also loves quilting, crafting, camping, and bike touring.

Elizabeth Hornbuckle Math ROOM 24 Website • email

Ms. Hornbuckle grew up on a farm in Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University in Western Kansas with a major in math and minors in education and Spanish. After graduation from FHSU she set forth on an adventure teaching in rural Alaska for four years and then moved to Petersburg in Southeastern Alaska for one year. This is now her 3rd year teaching at Highland Tech. She has a masters from NSU and is currently working on her 2nd masters from UAA in Educational Leadership. This year she be serving as the Math Content Lead and will also be working as an administrative intern.

Laura Hilger Language Arts, Technology ROOM 15 Website • email

Laura began her love for teaching at the young age of 18 when she taught a tap class in Athens, Georgia as a summer job, and since then, has enjoyed every inch of the path in teaching. With degrees from the University of Georgia, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska-Anchorage, she can still say with confidence that her best teachers are her students. She hopes to pass onto her students that expression is the key to life, whether that is through writing, reading, drawing, or drumming. In then end, if we are practicing expression, we are learning about ourselves, and influencing the world around us. It is also her hope that Highland Tech becomes a systemic model for educational reform because when the system is broken, the system must evolve. Outside of teaching and practicing Language Arts, she enjoys travel, skiing, biking, exercising, and hanging with her cat Misty.

Roxy Menadelook Careers, Social Studies, PSS, Technology ROOM 20 Website • email

Background Experience
Roxy was born and raised in Juneau, graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School and began her professional career in business. Attending Northwestern College in Minnesota, then the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kenai and Southeast, and the University of Phoenix On-Line, she focused on education, business law and business administration, complimenting her experience working for the Alaska Department of Labor – Commissioner’s Office, the Alaska Public Employees’ Association, VECO Oil Company, LGL Ecological Research, the University of Alaska, and the Alaska Department of Labor.

In 1986, Roxy served as a K-12 music teacher for the Kenai School District and continued teaching at Tustumena Elementary School for Grades 3-6 Math. Working as Program Manager for the Alaska Staff Development Network in Juneau for more than 13 years, she planned and conducted hundreds of programs yearly for teachers, principals, aides, and superintendents throughout Alaska. As director of several live national television broadcasts, she worked as a team to provide the latest in educational research to numerous partners. In a four-year program that compared educational systems internationally, Roxy coordinated and conducted numerous educational exchanges with European countries. In 2003, she helped set up the new educational coalition, the “Re-Inventing Schools Coalition” for more than 16 districts in Alaska undergoing system change. Roxy is a graduate of UofA – Kenai. Her business and education background, along with “Rural Alaska” experience brings a unique perspective to system change for Alaskan school districts. Her passion is ensuring that all kids receive the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Ayme Johnson Science, Math ROOM 16 website email

Although Ayme claims to be found in room 16, 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.

Jason Arthur Math ROOM 19 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!

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