Meet the Staff

Teachers

4th Grade Teachers

Mr. Ward portrait

Evan Ward

has been teaching elementary education for three years, and this is his first year in the Escondido Union School District. He graduated in Liberal Studies at the University of San Diego. His interests outside of teaching include going to the beach, playing basketball, and working in wildlife conservation. He believes in helping his students build a growth mindset which encourages them to look for new ways in finding a solution. He has a passion for making all learning engaging and meaningful and looks forward to preparing our leaders of tomorrow. eward@eusd.org

Mrs. Elliott portrait

Debbie Elliott

2010 Rose Elementary EEEA Teacher of the Year, 2018 Culturally Responsive Teaching Endorsement, and 2019 Oak Hill Elementary Teacher of the Year, has been teaching 4th and 5th grade in the Escondido Union School District (EUSD) since 2005. She has been a member and contributor to the iRead community, an Apple Distinguished program and selected to work at the first 1:1 device school in EUSD. Debbie was born and raised in Escondido and thrived in the public schools in EUSD. She believes in embracing compassion and empathy for the individual/human and enthusiastically welcomes challenges that encourage her students to learn and grow to their fullest potential. Most importantly, Debbie loves to learn with her students in a safe, happy, equitable, and inclusive environment. delliott@eusd.org

5th Grade Teachers

Mr. Benson portrait

Joey Benson

2018 Quantum Academy Teacher of the Year, has been teaching with the Escondido Union School District since 2005. He has experience teaching 1st through 5th grade. He has spent the last 5 years in 5th. Joey is an active participant in iREAD, an Apple Distinguished program. He has taught with 1:1 devices for the past 5 years starting with iPods and then with iPads for the last two years. He encourages his students to not only be extraordinary in what they do, but also in who they are. jbenson@eusd.org

Mrs. McKeon Portrait

Susan McKeon

 M.Ed, 2017 Quantum Academy Teacher of the Year, is a professional artist and a teacher in the Escondido Union School District since 2001 and has taught grades 4 and 5. She has participated in the CSU San Marcos DREAM workshops, UCSD’s Gifted and Talented program, AIMS Cohort of Arts Integration with Math and Science, and EUSD’s Apple Distinguished iRead Program. Believing that new knowledge requires a mind open to curiosity, challenge, creativity, and struggle, she inspires students to embrace the joys of learning in order to enter a world of endless possibilities. smckeon@eusd.org

Mrs. DeWindt portrait

Diane DeWindt

has been teaching in Escondido since 2005. The last 7 years have been in 5th grade and prior to that 3rd grade. Passions in STEAM learning practices have led students to be winners in many areas. She has been an active member of iRead, teaching with 1:1 devices for the past 6 years, a Math Field Day coach for many years, led teams at the STEAM Maker Festival, and a school site Teacher of the Year. Twenty-five years in business prior to teaching helps bring authentic real-world knowledge and enthusiasm to students. She encourages students to be the best they can be, by taking care of those around them. Classroom Motto: Be the change you want to see in the world!  ddewindt@eusd.org

6th Grade Teachers

Ryan Portrait

Alan Ryan

I am thrilled to be a part of your educational journey! I am grateful to be your new 6th-grade ELA and social studies teacher.  I have experience teaching most subjects from TK-8th grades. This will be my 7th year teaching in the wonderful city of Escondido. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alabama and then a teaching credential from California State University San Marcos.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful wife and three sons, and we live in Encinitas. I am a passionate surfer, fisherman, and kayaker.  I also really enjoy working with my hands, hiking, reading, and traveling in my spare time. Finally, I truly cannot wait to get to know each and every one of you as scholars and as unique individuals.

McKechnie Portrait

Michelle McKechnie

I have been teaching middle school for over ten years. I studied Political Science at California State University, Fullerton. As a lover and teacher of history, it is my goal to engage students in living and becoming a part of history. I incorporate my passions for the fine arts, writing, history, and technology to create projects that are meaningful and applicable. I work to build strong lasting connections to those around me and I embrace the philosophy that each of us is magical and have something to contribute to the world. mmckechnie@eusd.org

7th Grade and 8th Grade Teachers

Miramontes Portrait

Vanessa Miramontes (7th and 8th Grade Math)

2015 Mission MS Teacher of the Year, 2015 EUSD Middle School Teacher of the Year, and 2001 Lincoln Elementary School Rookie Teacher of the Year, has been teaching in the Escondido Union School District since 2001. She has taught fifth grade, math support, yearbook, language arts, and technology in the middle school setting. She has experience teaching in a 1:1 classroom where every student has an iPad and laptop and is exploring new technologies such as 3D printing, prototyping, videography, robotics, and MincraftEDU. She is currently working alongside with CSUSM MakerEDX cohort, establishing a Maker Space for students and staff. She is making a difference in each child every day by being a positive role model, she influences students in a positive way. She brings her personal experiences and the challenges that she faced, letting them know that, yes, they can do it, and if you believe, you can achieve.   vmiramontessolorzano@eusd.org

Carpenter Portrait

Zoe Carpenter (7th and 8th Grade Science)

2012 San Diego County School Board Member of the Year, 2021 Quantum Academy Teacher of the Year, brings 25 years of educational experience with students, from kindergarten to college, into her classroom. She has industry experience, providing engineering and technical training to high tech companies as a senior training engineer. She has been a participant in EUSD’s Apple Distinguished iRead Program and has taught with 1:1 iPads for the last seven years. She has spent the last four years at Quantum Academy and currently teaches 7th /8th-grade science. She believes students can accomplish anything with a growth mindset and the power of YET. zcarpenter@eusd.org

Murphy Portrait

Amy Murphy (7th Grade ELA and Social Studies)

I am passionate about bringing learning to life, high student engagement, exhibiting student creations, dreaming big and working bigger, thinking outside the box, and staying true to her ideas come what may. I am a Certified Apple Teacher, Google Certified. I love 7th-grade history and collaborating with middle school students. I know that when students align their passions and personal interests with academic goals, profound learning and change happens.  amurphy@eusd.org  Visit PBL7 online.

Gombert Portrait

Greg Gombert (8th Grade ELA and Social Studies)

(a.k.a. Mr. G) is a recent graduate of Cal State San Marcos’ teaching credential program. He joins Quantum Academy after 25-years in the US Navy circumnavigating the world. He also holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame (Pre-medicine (Biology), the Naval Postgraduate School (Middle East/Sub-Saharan African Affairs, Hydropolitics), and the University of Southern California (MBA). Mr. G. believes in raising young learners who can navigate the world as responsible global citizens who are tolerant, kind, respectful, and curious. ggombert@eusd.org

SAI Tteacher and Paraeducator

Evans Portrait

Jill Evans

2020 Quantum Academy Teacher of the Year, comes with over 20 years experience teaching special education as well as general education.  She has worked in Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, Rancho Santa Fe, and Poway Unified Districts.  Jill has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  She has a Master’s Degree in Instruction and Leadership and was nominated for Disney’s American Teacher Awards in 2000. Jill inspires her students to be their best always and to be life long learners. jievans@eusd.org

PE Teacher

Moretti Portrait

Marissa Moretti M.ed

is happy to be one of the first elementary grade-level certificated Physical Education teachers in the Escondido Union School District. EUSD has put together a new PE program that she is thrilled to share with Quantum Academy. Before joining this district, she taught in Poway Unified and San Diego Unified. The majority of her background is in Physical Education. This is where she holds a passion for teaching fitness education. Currently, she holds a Single Subject credential in Physical Education and a Masters of Elementary Education in grades K-6. I look forward to diving into the world of fitness with everyone here at Quantum, to not only share my love and knowledge of the subject, but to be a resource to introduce you to PE: "Powerful Education". mmoretti@eusd.org

Support Staff

Office Staff

Meyer Portrait

Cristal Meyer

Office Manager, 2019 Quantum Academy Classified Employee of the Year; has been serving the Escondido Union School District since 2015. She has a background in Communications and Human Resources.  Mrs. Meyer enjoys creating a welcoming environment for parents and students at Quantum Academy. cmeyer@eusd.org

Family Liaison

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Dessally Flores

Intervention Teacher

Hanel Portrait

Colin Hanel

2016 Quantum Academy Teacher of the Year, has been teaching with the Escondido Union School District since 2001. He has experience teaching 4th and 5th grade. Colin was an active participant in Project LIVE and iREAD, both honored as Apple’s Distinguished Programs. He was also one of the co-creators of Quantum Academy. Colin encourages his students to be creative problem solvers who think outside of the box.  chanel@eusd.org

School Nurse

Sanchez Portrait

Leilani Sanchez

 was a Substitute Health Tech for EUSD for 10 years.  She became a full-time Health Tech in 2018 and is new to Quantum Academy.  She enjoys hiking, biking, yoga, tennis, and water sports.  She is happy to be a part of the Quark Team! lesanchez@eusd.org

School Librarian

Rohrssen Portrait

Jenna Rohrssen, MLIS

2015 Felicita Elementary Classified Employee of the Year, has been a librarian for 16 years, 8 with EUSD. Jenna is a San Diego native with a BA in Literature from Cal State San Marcos and a Masters of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She is an avid reader, dog lover, and Pokemon enthusiast. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. jrohrssen@eusd.org

Speech and Language Therapist

Merrit Portrait

Arelene Meritt

is our Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at Quantum Academy.  She has been a school-based SLP for 16 years.  Previous to coming to EUSD, Arlene worked in the Bay Area.  She grew up in San Diego and received her B.A. and M.A. in Communicative Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology from San Diego State University.  After living in the Bay Area for 22 years, Arlene and her family moved back to San Diego in 2018.  Because everyone deserves a voice, she enjoys working with students on their communication skills.  ameritt@eusd.org

School Psychologist

Quantum Logo

Kristina Morris

has been a School Psychologist with EUSD for 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California, Davis. During her last quarter at U.C. Davis, she studied abroad in Colombia, South America, where she also worked as an intern at a bilingual British school. She received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling-School Psychology from California State University-Sacramento. Being raised abroad in a military and Colombian-American family, she values multi-cultural diversity, learning other languages, and the importance of family (including pets). She encourages acts of kindness, perseverance, and the importance of self-care with breaks away from technology to relax and enjoy nature.  krmorris@eusd.org

Social Worker

Flores Portrait

Raul Flores

is our School Social Worker and has been with the Escondido Union School District since 2018. Mr. Flores earned his Masters in Social Work with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Diego State University. Escondido is Mr. Flores' hometown as he is a product of EUSD having attended elementary, middle, and high school here in Escondido. For concerns and support regarding the social and emotional well-being of our students, interventions to support behavior or 504 Accommodation Plans, and/or connecting with community partners, please contact Mr. Flores at raflores@eusd.org

Custodian

Oakley Portrait

George Oakley

 2021 Quantum Academy Classified Employee of the Year; has been a part of Quantum Academy family since 2017 serving as site custodian. He prides himself in providing a safe and clean environment for the students and staff of Quantum to thrive in. goakley@eusd.org

Nutrition

CastellanosPortrait

Irma Castellanos

2018 Quantum Academy Classified Employee of the Year enjoys serving healthy meals, both at breakfast and lunch, to Quantum Academy students.

Noon Time Supervisors

Alvarado Portrait

Maria Alvarado

I have been working at Quantum academy since September of 2015 as one of three Noon Time Supervisors. maalvarado@eusd.org

Daniels Portrait

Nikki Daniels

has been with Quantum Academy since 2018. She has been a Noon Time Supervisor with the district since 2015. ndaniels@eusd.org

York Portrait

Lori York

Noon Time Supervisor since 2015, Sports Director for Quantum Academy, established the Quantum Academy sports program in 2018. Recipient of the Season for Peace and Nonviolence Award in 2019, the 20th Anniversary Commemoration. Lori is also involved in the PAL (Escondido Police Athletic League) program for the past ten years, bringing her experience to coach basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer for the Boys and Girls Club for the past seven years. In her free time Lori mentors youth to become better citizens. Lori enjoys supporting students, teachers, and staff, by modeling the Quantum Values; Preserving, Leading with Empathy, Impacting the Community, and always Asking Questions and Seeking Answers. Lori enjoys being a Quantum Quark. ayork@eusd.org