Teacher Profiles
Principal
Mario Gonzalez
Principal
Single Subject Teaching Credential
M. Ed., Diversity in the Classroom, National University
B.A., History, Cal State Fullerton
Mario graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor's Degree in History. He continued his education receiving a Single Subject Teaching Credential and his Master’s Degree in Diversity in the Classroom from National University, Los Angeles. Mario has over seven years teaching experience from Middle School to High School in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. He has worked as a head varsity soccer coach and has been awarded Teacher of the Year 2008-2009 for Borrego Springs Unified. While in San Diego County he was Co-Director of Science, Education and Technology that brought resources to the classroom that enabled high school students the opportunity to facilitate science curriculum to elementary students.
Teachers
Chris Bonneau
Director of Counseling Services
B.S., Communications, Boston University
After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Communications, Mr. Bonneau moved to Southern California where he became an award-winning writer (of screenplays and educational texts) and a teacher at a number of highly regarded Academies throughout the Los Angeles area. After writing courses for both SAT Writing and College Essay Writing, he took on the role of adviser and has since helped more than 2,000 students with the college selection and application process. During this time frame, he has guided students through more than 4,000 college statements. Many of the students that he has counseled have gone on to Ivy League and other prestigious universities.
Katie Huetinck
Teacher
M.A. Education, San Diego State University
B.A. Liberal Studies, Point Loma Nazarene University
Katie grew up and was schooled in Southern California, but early on discovered that the world is wide and filled with educational opportunity.
She became, and remains, a world traveler and an avid explorer of wild places. This energetic approach to life and learning has made her intellectually nimble, emotionally adaptable and artfully improvisational. All these qualities are essential for good teaching and engaged students, adding depth, texture, nuanced insight and authentic creativity to academic experience.
While Katie's nearly two decades of hands on teaching experience is impressive enough, the real key to her artistry in teaching is the keen ability to see and accept the uniqueness of a student and then help to orchestrate the symphony of possibilities embodied in an individual. This is the secret sauce of the teacher and in the end, probably the reason for doing the work.
Outside the halls of academia, Katie leads an enthusiastic and ever evolving life with active interest in travel, hiking/backpacking, yoga, photography, animal husbandry, gardening, numerous artistic endeavors and finally, she is a real fine baker.
Dylan Jones
Activities Director and Interdisciplinary Teacher
M.A., Education, University of Phoenix
B.A., History, Cal State University Fullerton
A.A., History, Mt. San Jacinto Junior College
Dylan was born in Laguna Beach and raised in Temecula. Though Dylan wants to retire in Hawaii someday, he is happy and content right here in California. Dylan Jones holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s Degree in History from California State University, Fullerton and an Associate’s Degree in Math/Science from Mt. San Jacinto Junior College. When Dylan becomes an “old man” he eventually would like to teach at the University level and dreams of someday teaching at Harvard. Dylan currently lives in the beautiful beach community of Carlsbad in sunny San Diego and spends his free time skateboarding, painting, watching Lakers’ games, body-surfing at the beach, and playing rock ‘n’ roll music.
He believes that education is the key to creating a peaceful, global community. Dylan’s dream is to contribute to the world in a positive way, which is also his reason for deciding to become a teacher. Dylan currently teaches Pre-Algebra, Literacy, Government, Economics, U.S. History, and Music Theory at Pacific Academy.
Stephen Strong
Math Teacher
M.A., Education, University of Oregon
B.S., Mathematics and General Science, University of Oregon
Stephen has recently relocated to Encinitas from Oregon. He enjoys the area and the wonderful weather. He grew up in Eugene, Oregon where he knew at an early age he wants to have a job impacting children's lives. He has always had a talent and love for math and science. Later, he discovered he had a talent for teaching those subjects. He strives to get the most out of all his students.
Kevin Kuhlman
Social Science, English
Single Subject Teaching Credential
B.A. History, Point Loma Nazarene University
A California native, Kevin was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California. After graduating high school with 2 years of college credit, he went to Point Loma Nazarene to pursue a degree in History. While there, he developed a passion for working with students through his volunteering at Young Life Point Loma. Kevin graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and his Single Subject Teaching Credential.
In addition to teaching in various school districts throughout San Diego, Kevin has worked with student development organizations such as Junior Achievements and Young Life Point Loma. He especially enjoys working with students from difficult means or backgrounds. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, skateboarding, trail running, and reading science fiction.
Elementary School Teacher
Kate was born in New York City and was later raised in San Diego, California, and grew up in Del Mar. She graduated from the University of Oregon where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Educational Foundations with a minor in Ethnic Studies and then a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English Speakers of Other Languages. Most recently in Eugene, Oregon, Kate substitute taught for grades K-5 and taught second grade and is now teaching back in her hometown of San Diego.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog, taking pilates classes, shopping, finding new restaurants, traveling, and reading at the beach.
May Ho Lee
Executive Admissions Assistant
International Student Liaison
B.A, University of Southern California
May graduated from USC with a degree in Architecture. After working in the architectural field for some years, she took a break to take care of her family. During that time, she actively volunteered at he son's school in various capacities, such as a graphic editor for a school newspaper, the co-coach for LEGO league, a committee member for Science Olympiad and a Boy Scout troop Advancement Chairperson, a position she still currently holds. May recently returned to the work force but switched gears to the educational field because she finds working with young people rewarding. She connects with the international students especially as she shares a similar situation with them and was too a teenager when she came to the US.
Brittney J. Mabus
Elementary School Lead Teacher and High School English Teacher
M.A., Teaching, University of Southern California
B.S., Early Childhood Education and a minor in English, Iona College, New Rochelle, New York
Brittney recently relocated from New York to sunny San Diego. After growing up in New York with her family and her two brothers, she decided to move to California to further her teaching career. Brittney received a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in English from Iona College. During her four years at Iona College, she played lacrosse in the MAAC conference and was involved in several different community service programs including mentoring high school students through academics and sports. After graduating, she continued her education by earning a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Southern California. Throughout her career, Brittney has taught a wide variety of students ranging from kindergarten to high school. Her teaching philosophy is to cultivate a conducive learning environment where the students feel safe to take risks and learn through exploration and discovery. For fun, Brittney loves to take her dog (Rex) to the beach, practice yoga, go shopping, watch football and basketball, and travel to as many islands as she can.
MacKenzie Seaton-Todd
MacKenzie grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Ohio University for both undergraduate and graduate school. She knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age and spent her summers working at a summer camp in Asheville, North Carolina. After graduate school she moved to that same area of North Carolina and taught elementary school there for three years.
Having always valued travel, MacKenzie knew she wanted to travel long-term for some period in her life, so she then took two years off teaching to backpack around South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. After those two years she relocated to San Diego and is now excited to be back in the classroom and teaching at Pacific Academy!
Elementary Teacher
B.A. Early Childhood Education PK-3,
Ohio University
M.A., Reading Education K-12, Ohio University
AMBER JONES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Originally hailing from Colorado, Amber Jones recently moved from Castle Rock with her high school sweetheart, and two beautiful teenagers. She earned her BA in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado, and has been teaching and coaching for over 24 years.
She recently taught Yoga, Adventure Ed, Dance, and Health. Her thoughtful curriculum was delivered to reflect self-acceptance and inclusion, and led to Amber being honored as Educator of the Year at the Respect Awards in New York. Walking the Red Carpet along with Robin Roberts & George Stephanopoulos was a highlight in her career.
Amber is the founder of the youth sports program, PEP Club Sports. She served as the Vice President of Sportswomen of Colorado, and Chair of GLSEN Denver. In her spare time, she discovered a passion for playing semi-pro tackle football, aerial dance, and escape room design. Amber is often seen photographing her kids during basketball and lacrosse games, and her guilty pleasure is a relaxed evening dealing Texas Hold 'em.
MICAH QUINTANA
Science, Math
B.A., Physics
California State Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo
Micah graduated from California State Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's Degree in Physics. During this time he worked with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation to help organize and run tournaments as well as making robotics accessible to students in 6-12. His experience with working with students during that time, he decided to become a teacher.
After graduation, he taught at Central Coast New Tech High School and Nipomo High School. During this time he was a football and baseball coach and the anime club advisor for students on campus. He is excited to join Pacific academy and is looking forward to the 2022-2023 school year.
ENGLISH, art, YEARBOOK
Kate was born and raised in Southern California. She grew up in Huntington Beach and attended California State University, Long Beach for her undergraduate and graduate courses. She has a BA in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in Health, Physical Education, and Life Management. She earned her Multiple Subject Credential in 1998 through Long Beach State.
While working as an elementary teacher in Long Beach, California Kate pursued her MA in Education with a focus on Curricular Design through Long Beach State. Kate holds a Single Subject Credential in English from UCLA and has worked in grades K-12 and Special Education for over a decade.
Kate is married and has three children, two lovely girls, and an inquisitive boy. She and her family enjoy spending time at the beach and visiting with family and friends.
KELLY PAWLAK
Science, Oceanography, Home Economics
B.S., Biology and Chemistry
Saint Francis University
Kelly graduated from Saint Francis University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. After graduation, she worked at several outdoor education facilities on both the east and west coast teaching marine science.
Kelly continued her love for working with children by working as an academic coach modifying curriculum for students with IEPs and 504s at High Tech High Media Arts and High Tech Middle Arts in San Marcos. While at HTMMA, she also taught math and science.
MARIA SANTOS-OCHOA
Spanish Teacher
B.A. Latin American Studies,
San Diego State University
Maria was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies. She has 20 years of classroom experience with Pre-K-8th grade students, faculty and parents. Maria began her teaching career as a College Prep Advisor for the Student Outreach Services at San Diego State University. She later became a Teacher's Assistant at Kit Carson Elementary School. Since then she has held a position as Dean of Students at Harriet Tubman Charter School and has taught Spanish Immersion as a visiting teacher for the San Diego Unified School District.
Maria enjoys teaching all grade levels. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, crafting and recently has taken up trail running. Her dream one day is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
ROB XU
Math, Chinese, Video Production
B.S. Chemistry,
California Polytechnic State University
Rob was born and raised in northeastern China and moved to California in the 3rd grade. His interest in education began with a profound appreciation for science communicators, among whom were Bill Nye, Michael Stevens of Vsauce, and Carl Sagan. He initially pursued scientific research at the Jisan Research Institute, co-authoring published research on entrochemical technology there, as a student researcher in 2015.
Rob went on to study Chemistry at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, but realized that most chemistry jobs were not to his liking. He instead pivoted to a career in education, having had pleasant experiences tutoring and mentoring peers. In the years following graduation, Rob worked with students in grades spanning 1st to 12th, through field work and independent tutoring. Daily opportunities to brighten a child's day (and by extension, brighten everyone's future) gave him reason to enjoy waking up every morning.
Captivated by PAE's atmosphere and Encinitas' excellent weather, Rob gladly decided to continue teaching here for a second year. In addition to expanding the Elementary Chinese program, Rob is now teaching Video Production to middle school and high school, piloting the creation of PAE's very own student-run live news program.
PRISCILA COLLAZO
Elementary school Teacher
B.A. in Liberal Studies Multiple Subject,
California State University Bakersfield
Priscila was born in the Dominican Republic, but was raised in Bakersfield, CA. She graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Priscila began her teaching career in Roatan, Honduras with an organization called Helping Children of The World(HCOW). She taught Math and English in a village on the island. She focused on tracking student academic improvements and building student portfolios to report to the Board of Education.
She continued her career by being a preschool teacher for two years. Priscila has worked with students grades K-8th through long term substitute teaching positions, tutoring, and mentoring at afterschool programs. This year she will be completing her fourth year teaching kindergarten. Priscila enjoys traveling, hiking, family, and eating gelato.
CASSIDY SCHMOKE
Elementary school Teacher
Cassidy was born and raised in San Diego, California and grew up in a small town called Alpine. She graduated from Northern Arizona University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication. A year after graduating from NAU, she decided to further her education and completed the Teaching Program at San Diego Christian College. While completing her teaching program, Cassidy became a Special Education Instructional Aide at a local elementary school where she worked with students from grades K-5th with a variety of different learning needs.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, hanging out with her friends and family, shopping, eating sweet treats and most importantly, drinking coffee!
Admissions, Marketing & graphic design
Layla moved to Encinitas in 1997, and would consider herself a proud local. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is where she calls home, along with her daughter, Olivia. PAE will welcome Liv to Kindergarten in the fall! Layla began a career in Marketing in the medical field while earning her BA in Communication at Cal State University San Marcos.
Layla loves to read, she's an avid beach-goer, a big foodie, and loves the outdoors. Travel has also been a major part of her life and personal growth, it is her joie de vivre. Layla's love of travel and cultural diversity encouraged her to become a mentor with International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she cultivated her love of working with children and families from all backgrounds and nationalities. She is delighted to be working with the Pacific Academy team.