Linda Vista Teachers & Staff

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I am honored to be the Executive Director of San Diego Cooperative Charter School! I have been working at this school since 2005. Over the years, I have seen the school grow just as I have. My teaching career brought me from Michigan to California via Arizona. I have taught in schools with 4,000 students (I called them student factories) to our small, close-knit community where I have taught kids from 2nd to 8th grade. I am in constant amazement at the work that teachers do. I began my journey as an administrator in 2013 and began working as an Executive Director in 2019 my goal as an educator and leader is to innovate, support and inspire. I want to know every student and parent in our school so that I can support you in your family’ s educational path. I believe in having some fun while educating kids. I will continue the work of creating amazing innovative, educational programs and I plan to continue to build on what I believe to be the best school community ever created.

I believe in our educational philosophy, the focus is on academic excellence but it is through collaboration and critical thinking. Our focus on the whole child is developed through relationships, social-emotional teaching and amazing courses like art, PE, music and dance at all grade levels. I believe strongly in what we do and know that we are innovators in education.

I have four kids and a loving husband who have supported me in my journey here at The San Diego Cooperative Charter Schools. All four of my children have graduated from SDCCS. This school has been a wonderful place to assist in teaching my kids the love of learning that they will have with them for a lifetime.

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I love being a part of the community at SDCCS, and to be your Principal. I have worked at SDCCS since 2010, when I joined the team as a school counselor. I began my career as a counselor in my hometown, just off the Navajo Reservation. My husband and I moved to North County in 2000, and I have worked in a variety of settings from traditional schools K-12, to a school devoted to students with special needs ages 9-22.

Throughout my career, I have never seen a school as amazing as this one. SDCCS truly supports growth of the whole child. Our staff members have a genuine love for kids, and this shines through with authentic learning experiences, meaningful projects, and challenges to think critically. Curriculum is adjusted to the students being served, and social emotional learning is emphasized. 

When I am not working, I am with my family. My husband, Vaughn, and I have 4 children, Collin, Brenna, Shaughn, and Kairi. We love watching our kids pursue their passions. As a family, we love to go snow skiing/boarding every winter, and visiting Lake Powell in the summer.

I am excited to continue the work of supporting the mission at SDCCS, and providing a world class education to every child and family who joins our family.

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Hello! My name is Anh Luc and I will be teaching TK (Transitional Kindergarten).  This will be my 1st year teaching but I have 20 years of experience of working in the education field ranging from preschool to middle school.  In 2018, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education and in 2021 graduated with a Masters Degree in Education both from National University.  My philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and take risks.   In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking and spending time in nature. I also love spending time with family, friends and my beloved corgi, Atticus. This will be a fun year filled with adventure. Let’s make this a great year!

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My name is Savonia Guy, and I am very excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year and their first grade teacher next year!  Beginning this school year we have a new K-1 looping structure. This year the kindergarten teachers will be looping with their kindergarten class.  I look forward to getting to know your child’s wonderings, passions, and what they are curious about! One of my favorite quotes by Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia Schools, is, “Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.” This is us together with the children 

A little about me. I am a Reggio-inspired , constructivist educator and have been teaching in early childhood since 2006. I began my career with preschool-aged children after receiving my Child Development Certificate. I continued my education while raising our three children, working at a Reggio-inspired preschool, and obtaining my bachelor’s in Human Development. As I continued to research best practices and reflect and grow in my pedagogical journey, I then obtained my Masters in Education and Elementary Teaching Credential and began working at our amazing school over five years ago. 

Through observation and pedagogical documentation of the children’s interests, thay I facilitate and create a rigorous academic experience for children as they pursue their interests, discover new ideas, construct knowledge of the world around them, and build a strong sense of community, all while helping the individual discovery of who they are as a student embarking on their elementary educational journey. My heart and soul are dedicated to the development of young children and guiding young educators in their pedagogical pursuits, as an adjunct professor .

My husband and I have been married for 28 years, and we have raised three children in San Diego, and we now consider ourselves empty-nesters. We love to go on adventures in our RV and hike to backcountry lakes with our dogs. While my husband fishes, I can be found along the shoreline reading books about best practices in Early Childhood and Elementary education.

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My name is Jessie Witt and I am a first grade teacher at SDCCS. I began my career teaching at SDCCS in 2022 after receiving my Masters of Education degree from the University of San Diego. I am passionate about the Coop’s purpose and invested in and inspired by the community we have. I am focused on applying learner-centered teaching practices in my classroom, and using teaching practices rooted in educational neuroscience. My role is to provide students with meaningful, relevant and enjoyable learning experiences. It is important to me that students learn to work with others effectively and collaborate. I am here to support students’ social, emotional and academic growth, and do so using a constructivist and cooperative approach. This will be my third year teaching at SDCCS and have taught first and second grades. Previously, I was a student teacher in first grade at SDCCS, and I have substitute taught in a variety of grade levels and districts. 

I enjoy spending time and having adventures outdoors. I am an avid camper, backpacker, and hiker. I also love to swim, read, sew, bake and make things. I am originally from Napa and the Bay Area, and I return there to visit often.

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My name is Sophie Sinclair and I am so thrilled to be teaching first grade this year. This will be my fourth year of teaching. I have taught TK-kindergarten, first grade, and second grade… in that order! First grade is a special year of immense growth, and I am so excited and honored to be a part of the journey with your children.

I was born in San Diego, but lived overseas for years until returning to California to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures. In 2021, I received my Master of Arts in Teaching from USC Rossier School of Education in Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter returned full-circle to San Diego. This school year will be my first year with SDCCS and I am very excited to be joining the community. In my spare time, I enjoy rediscovering San Diego, cooking, reading, stand-up paddle boarding, learning to surf, camping, and spending quality time with my cat (Marie). I am so looking forward to the learning and fun that this school year holds and am excited to build meaningful relationships with my students and their families. 

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My name is Sophia Rippner, and I am thrilled to join SDCCS this year as a 2nd-grade teacher! I look forward to meeting and learning about each of my students and their families to create a collaborative and fun learning environment. I emphasize social-emotional learning and building independence to guide students to become life-long learners. I am so excited to collaborate. 

A little bit about me: 

I am originally from the East Coast. I grew up in a small city in Vermont. I ventured to Rhode Island to complete my undergraduate studies at the University of Rhode Island and graduated in 2021 with a B.A in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. After graduating, I was a 4th-grade teacher for two years in Rhode Island before moving to San Diego in the summer of 2023. In August 2023, I began my graduate studies at the University of Southern California. I will graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in December 2024! I am passionate about linguistics and love learning about new teaching methodologies. 

In my free time, I love exploring beaches, hiking, doing art in Balboa Park, traveling, and visiting all of the wonderful farmer’s markets that San Diego has to offer. In the wintertime, I enjoy snowboarding at Big Bear Mountain. I am currently learning to surf (I will take any pointers) and love trying new activities. I love relaxing with a great cup of coffee and a book. 

I look forward to becoming a part of your student’s learning journey!

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Hello Everyone. I am Ana Medina and go by Ms.Ana. I graduated from SDSU with a B.A. in Chicana/o Studies and have a California teaching credential. I have been teaching elementary for the past 15 years. My husband Bob and I decided to give international teaching a try in 2009. During our 13 years abroad we loved learning Arabic, traveling, and getting to students from all over the world. We taught at private American schools in Egypt, Ethiopia, and most recently the UAE. Bob will also be teaching art here and our daughter, Ximena will attend 2nd grade here at SDCCS. 

As a teacher, I look forward to getting to know your child and helping them thrive academically and socially. I focus on getting to know the child as a whole and developing life-long learners. Your child’s success in learning and sense of belonging at school is very important to me and I believe it takes a strong commitment from the teacher, student, and parents to achieve this. I am very happy to be joining SDCCS.

In my spare time, I love all things related to the mail. I really enjoy sending and receiving mail from friends, family, and Postcrossing. My appreciation for stamps increased exponentially when I first moved to Egypt and they had Tutankamun on their stamps.

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Hi! I’m Danika Hochberger and I am so excited to be a third grade teacher here at SDCCS! I feel so lucky to be a part of such a beautiful community. I am a recent SDSU graduate and love to explore the world around me! I love working with kids and getting to know them not just as students, but as little people that are going to change the world!

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I’m honored and privileged to be a part of our cooperative community. At SDCCS the constructivist philosophy is embraced, and students construct new knowledge through experiences, problem solving, and collaboration. I am enthusiastically returning to the classroom to begin my 11th year of teaching. Originally from the midwest, I grew up in South Carolina and graduated with honors from the College of Charleston with degrees in Education and Psychology. I have taught in district, private, and charter schools, and I can’t imagine a better place than SDCCS to teach and to send my kids. I moved to San Diego in 2008 and have been a part of the Co-op community in a variety of roles including teacher, parent, board member, and PSA (Parent Staff Association) president. 

When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my husband, kids, and dogs. I love to read, hike, write, camp, and travel. I feel grateful to live in San Diego and enjoy everything our beautiful city has to offer. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead.

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I grew up in Orange County, California, before moving to San Diego for college. Once here, I never left. San Diego is my home, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I studied Communication and Social Psychology in my undergraduate before pursuing a Master’s in Education at UCSD. I have worked in a variety of classrooms from kindergarten all the way to sixth grade. I work as a reading specialist with Horizons National Nonprofit during the summer months. Teaching is my passion and every day brings me immeasurable joy.

I believe in building relationships with my students and their families from the beginning, so I am so lucky to join the SDCCS family. I enjoy many hobbies, including horseback riding, cooking, baking, gardening, gaming, writing, painting, and reading. I love to start new hobbies and share them with the class when I can. On my weekends, I enjoy curling up with my cat to read a good book. I look forward to meeting my students and creating a love for the humanities in their hearts.

“I believe that education is all about being excited about something.” Steve Irwin

“It’s so important to do something every day that will make you happy.” Bob Ross

“Listening is where love begins, listening to ourselves, and then to our neighbors.” Mister Rogers

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Hi there! My name is Sophia Flores, Southeast San Diego native and proud Chicana. After growing up and attending schools across San Diego County, I continued my education at the University of California, Davis. Majoring in Sociology, Education, and Chicano/a Studies fed my love of social justice, community, and knowledge. After graduating, I volunteered a year of service through AmeriCorps and taught 5th grade in Watts, Los Angeles. Since then I have earned a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, built a foundation of my teaching practice in PBL through my experience at HTH, taught 4th grade and just finished my fourth year teaching 6th grade Humanities. This year I am excited to be looping with our previous 6th grade students to teach 7th grade STEM! 

Outside of teaching I enjoy hiking, playing board games, and taking photos. In my free time I am probably somewhere reading, creating, finding my next sweet treat, or spending quality time with the humans I love.

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2020-2021 marks Jeff Plapp’s 17th year with SDCCS and his sixteenth total as a teacher. Jeff graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art. He continues to paint and sculpt as time allows.

Jeff earned his teaching credential and Masters Degree through National University after a long career in the coffee industry. Jeff has always enjoyed being active, whether in his career or his pastime. He enjoys hiking, yoga, rock-climbing and even took part in a Tuff Mudder Run with fellow SDCCS staff. He hopes one day to climb Mt. Whitney.

Mr. Plapp lives in South Park with the super-talented, beautiful, love of his life, Tara Gasparian. Jeff is at the mercy of the extreme cuteness of his two cats, Willow and Ivy and the adorable dog Frankie.
He loves nothing more than to see his students work hard and challenge themselves while learning and having fun; well, that is, except for pie.

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Andrew is incredibly excited to return to the SDCCS family and continue to build upon the work that he did last year. Being the youngest of a big family of teachers that serve all throughout California, working in education has always been a passion, a privilege, and a way of life for him. Andrew is a graduate of San Diego State University, his home for his entire collegiate journey, and he is returning this year once more for his Masters of Fine Arts in Teaching Secondary Education.

One of Andrew’s favorite things about education is the classroom culture and community. The connections that he made last year with students, staff, and families at SDCCS are what make teaching so special and why he does what he does.

Andrew is a lifelong San Diego native, but an avid Sacramento Kings and Buffalo Bills fan. When he is not at school, you can find him spending time with family and friends, gaming, reading, or cooking.

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Hello and welcome. I am the 8th grade Math and Science teacher and SDCCS Math Lead, K-8. I joined the SDCCS family in 2010 when my son entered kindergarten. In 2015, I became a classroom teacher and loved teaching Math and History to Bridging (5th Grade). In 2020, I transitioned to 8th grade and have been happy to work with many wonderful and familiar students. I received my B.A. degree in History from UCSD. I earned my Masters of Education with a specialization in Teaching Mathematics in 2019. I hold a multiple subject credential and a single subject credential in Foundational Mathematics. I was a dance instructor for over twenty years (shout out to my beloved Creative Dance Theatre) and continue to use movement as a vehicle for academic learning.

I believe in constructivist, student-centered learning that addresses the whole child. I want to guide my students to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, reflective learners, good communicators, and supportive friends. I am passionate about providing the space and experiences for all students to ask questions and construct a deep understanding of mathematics and science through hands-on experiences and problem-solving. I want students to develop positive academic mindsets, to embrace risks and failure as the way to grow, and to be lifelong learners. Learning is rewarding and fun!

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Mayra Alejandra De Alba grew up in Chula Vista, where she began her dance journey at a very young age, laying a strong foundation for her future endeavors. Her education at the Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego State University, and the California Ballet Company allowed her to refine her skills and explore various dance styles across the nation. Participating in prestigious programs such as The Walt Disney Performing Arts programs, the Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive, and the Juilliard Dance Experience helped her develop a strong stage presence and professionalism. Her time as a dancer and character performer at Disney not only honed her craft but also instilled a love for storytelling through movement.
Transitioning from performer to choreographer, Ms. Mayra uses her extensive experience to create engaging and innovative dance routines. Her teaching style emphasizes not just technical skills but also the joy of movement and expression, encouraging students to explore their creativity and find their unique voices. By incorporating elements of theater, world music, cultural dance, and creative movement, she fosters an environment of fearless exploration through the magic of music and dance. With her commitment to nurturing young talent, Ms. Mayra is dedicated to providing a supportive and inspiring atmosphere for her students, believing in the transformative power of dance to connect and uplift lives.

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Hi, SDCCS community. I am Lizeth Rincon and I joined this beautiful team to be the music teacher K-8 last year. I studied my bachelor’s degree in music education in Colombia, which is where I am from. Last year I came to the United States to continue developing my professional career.

In regards to education, a few months ago I was able to get my California Teaching Credential, and I am very eager to continue keeping up my studies to bring the best of my knowledge to the learning environment of our SDCCS community.

As for my artistic side, I’ve participated in different choirs and musical groups in my country for many years, and now, I am happy to be an active member of the San Diego Master Chorale. I have a big passion for music and I am very excited to share my

knowledge and love for music with the students, parents, staff members

and the community in general.

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My name is Anthony “Tony” Destino and this will be my first year teaching Physical Education at SDCCS. Previously I worked at a private Montessori school in San Diego where I taught P.E. for the last 11 years for students from 2 years old through 6th grade.

A native of Western New York, I grew up a lifelong New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan. While living in NY I taught Adapted Physical Education for students with developmental disabilities for many years. After a trip West in 2012 I never looked back and have resided in San Diego ever since.

I received my Masters of Science in Physical Education from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY and my Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from the University at Buffalo.

I am elated to begin the next chapter of my career at SDCCS where my daughter will also be starting 2nd grade.

In my spare time enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter and vacationing in Hawaii!

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Amy Spitler joined SDCCS in 2018 after working in Non-public Schools for 20 years. She enjoys the creative aspect of Special Education that allows her to work collaboratively with staff, faculty, students and parents to find solutions for students’ unique learning needs. She has a degree in Comparative Literature from UC San Diego and completed her Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Credentials through CSU San Marcos. She has worked with students with learning differences since 1998 in a variety of subjects from elementary art to high school physics. In addition, she has been trained in the Orton-Gillingham methodology to support students with reading challenges. Her goal is to support both the academic and personal growth of her students and to cultivate and nurture passions for learning.

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My name is Ben Werner and I moved to San Diego from Boston in 2015 (Though I grew up in the DC area). I joined the SDCCS family in 2016 after earning my dual credential in teaching Multiple Subjects and Special Education and have been working here as an Ed Specialist ever since.  I am also SDCCS’s Adapted PE Teacher and love helping students stay active and healthy.

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Jocelyn (“Jo”) McCullough joined SDCCS in 2022 and has worked as an Instructional Assistant, and then the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Instructor for the last two academic years, and this year she is excited to make the transition to the Special Education team. She brings a wealth of personal and professional experience and has a deep commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs. In the past Jocelyn has worked as a school counselor at St Gregory the Great, a private elementary school in Scripps Poway and in the counseling department at San Diego State University. She has vast experience conducting psychoeducational assessments and providing clinical and academic recommendations in educational settings and also privately. With a passion for inclusivity and a focus on student success, Jocelyn is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can achieve their full potential.

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Cesar Vigil-Ruiz is an education specialist, and this is his third year here at SDCCS. 

He has a BA in Philosophy from UCSD, and is in process of completing a Masters in Special Education for Mild/Moderate students at National University.

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Hello, I am Nahomi, the School Psychologist at SDCCS. I joined the SDCCS family in 2019. I received my B.A. degree in Liberal Studies from SDSU in 2013, and earned my Masters of Special Education with a specialization in Autism in 2015. I was a Special Education teacher for five years before finding my true passion in School Psychology which led me to earn my Masters of School Psychology from Alliant International University in 2019.

I love to travel and have a special place in my heart for Australia where I studied abroad twice throughout my education career and where I got engaged! My husband and I love to go to Mexico during the weekends to visit our families and hope to build a family of our own sometime soon.

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I am excited to support our learning community as Dean of Students again this year.  I have worked with students for over 30 years in various positions since graduating from SDSU with a MS Degree which included training in cross-cultural counseling and a focus on supporting immigrant and refugee populations.  My work with students spans all ages from preschool age to high school students and I enjoyed being a Counselor here at SDCCS for 5 years.  Outside of school, my time is spent with my family, including my 3 children, ages 18, 14, and 10 who have all attended (and currently attend) SDCCS from K-8.  We can often be found in the Clairmont area where we live participating in sports, going to the beach, or hiking. 

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I moved to San Diego from Colorado in 2006 to attend the University of San Diego (USD). After graduating and realizing my passion for working with students I returned to USD, receiving my Masters in School Counseling and PPS Credential in 2015. In the Spring of 2021, I started as an On-Site Substitute at SDCCS and quickly learned I wanted to make it my long term home. In the Fall of 2021, I joined the Counseling team and I am currently the primary Middle School Counselor, and I couldn’t be happier. I am extremely passionate about building rapport and genuinely connecting with students and families to best support them.

In August 2022, I became a mom for the first time to a beautiful daughter named Ocean. She is my pride and joy!

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ClanSea is my nickname, I love all things ocean and I love to be in nature. I have been with SDCCS for 8 years and I have been teaching for 28 years in various grade levels and states. I am a passionate reader and writer. I love to hike, swim in the ocean, and travel the world.

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