Science

List of 5 members.

• 

  Jeffrey Guckert 

  Department Chair, Science Faculty

  Bio

  Jeff joins Vistamar with 27 years of experience in education. He's served myriad roles in independent schools - from building stage sets, coaching, to founding a school - and is very excited to be returning to the classroom, where he fell in love with education in the first place!

   

  Jeff earned his PhD in Chemistry at Stanford, and became a teacher because he wanted to share the joy of discovery and the rewards of systematic rigor that are foundational in science. Having worked as an administrator for years, Jeff can't wait to focus directly again on helping students to see the world for themselves so that they can be the change they want to see in their communities.

   

  Jeff and his wife will be empty-nesters after next year and Jeff is looking forward to devoting more time to his interests outside of school life - including reading, drawing, skiing, biking, and rooting for his long-suffering Orioles.
• 

  Josephus Dossen 

  Science Faculty

  Bio

  Josephus brings 23 years of classroom experience teaching physics, mathematics, and mechatronics to Vistamar, primarily in high schools as well as at the community college and college level. Most recently, he chaired the science and engineering department at King Abdullah Academy in Virginia. He also has experience in academic program design, working with a colleague to pioneer and develop an interdisciplinary engineering magnet program for a secondary school in Orange County. Josephus considers it his calling to motivate and prepare students with STEM tools needed to be highly successful in high school and beyond. 

   

  Prior to working in schools, Josephus worked as a Field Scientist on the CAMEX-3 TEFLUN Mission with NASA. He also worked as an Applied Physical Chemist at NASA's Propulsion Directorate, Airforce Research Lab, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
• 

  Terra Hyke 

  Science Faculty

  Bio

  Terra earned a BS in Environmental Science and Management with a focus in Education at Humboldt State University. She then earned a teaching credential in chemistry and a Masters in education at Claremont Graduate University. She strives to bring critical social justice into her curriculum and classroom to provide both historical and social context alongside a high quality science education. This year Terra will be teaching AP Environmental Science and Life Science.

   
• 

  Alex Spear 

  Science Faculty

  Bio

  Alex joins Vistamar this year after teaching science in local public schools for a number of years. He holds a BS in Environmental Science from UC Santa Cruz. He’ll be teaching physical science and life science and propelling his students to stay curious.
• 

  Shanon Tabata 

  Science Faculty

  Bio

  Shanon earned a BS in biology from Loyola Marymount, teaching credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills, and a masters of science degree at Cal State Long Beach. She spent seven years at North High School and was awarded a Pegasus Award for environmental science. She is not only actively involved in student life, but is also a committee member of the California Science Teachers Association which promotes high quality science education statewide.