Who is Ms. Cruz?
Growing up on the Ring of Fire
I moved to Japan when I was six, though my family lived in Virginia (where I was born!), Bermuda, and Florida prior. As the child of a naval officer, I grew up the second of four siblings in Yokosuka, Japan. I spent my childhood surrounded by books, cherry blossoms, and delicious Japanese fare, and was generally super unaware of American pop culture (especially TV shows - I am the only person I know in my age bracket who doesn't know every word to the theme song for the Fresh Prince!). At the end of 8th grade, my father got stationed in San Diego and we moved to Chula Vista just in time for me to attend Eastlake High School as a freshman.
Discovering myself as a scientist and educator
I spent the next chapter of my life in Washington, DC, where I majored in chemistry and physics at the George Washington University, sang in an a cappella group, became a member of the Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity, interned at the White House, and affirmed my love for science and chemistry by researching energetics and explosives at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD. In 2012, I earned my teaching credential and M.Ed. at the University of San Diego while student teaching chemistry at Kearny Digital Media and Design. My action research project in grad school, which you can view here, was titled, "'I didn't know chem can be fun': Teaching Practices to Engage Underperforming Students to Learn a Practical Understanding of Chemistry." After grad school, I taught 10th grade Math 2 and Chemistry for 2.5 years at High Tech High Chula Vista in the South Bay region of San Diego. At HTHCV, I fell in love with PBL. My foray into the adventure that is project-based learning continued in the mountains of Durango, CO, where I taught math at Animas High School. For two years, I focused on reconnecting with the beauty of the natural world around me, spending my time frolicking in the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Southwest.
Exploring, playing, and adventuring
In addition to teaching and talking about science, my passions include traveling, trying new foods, telling stories, reading, solving lots of different kinds of puzzles (I am a Sudoku master!), rock climbing, CrossFit, snowboarding, paddling, skydiving, and chasing my dog Anakin as he explores the world around us. In particular, I think travel has the power to transform, heal, and inspire, and so far have accompanied 6 different groups of students on international excursions. My partner, Scott, is a wildland firefighter, and together we have hiked, camped, and played in many lakes, rivers, and mountain systems in the western United States.
Talking shop
If you wish to contact me for any reason--whether you have questions about my classroom, are seeking resources on STEM education or project-based learning, or even need a new friend to explore with--please feel free to send me an email!
Final words
I returned to coastal city living in summer 2017 to head up the high school science department at the Monarch School. As of 2019, I am the High School Head Teacher and excited to work with my team to bring project-based learning to our students. I hope that, through engaging and empowering learning experiences, my students will be inspired to dream big, work hard, and learn to play and live with passion.
I moved to Japan when I was six, though my family lived in Virginia (where I was born!), Bermuda, and Florida prior. As the child of a naval officer, I grew up the second of four siblings in Yokosuka, Japan. I spent my childhood surrounded by books, cherry blossoms, and delicious Japanese fare, and was generally super unaware of American pop culture (especially TV shows - I am the only person I know in my age bracket who doesn't know every word to the theme song for the Fresh Prince!). At the end of 8th grade, my father got stationed in San Diego and we moved to Chula Vista just in time for me to attend Eastlake High School as a freshman.
Discovering myself as a scientist and educator
I spent the next chapter of my life in Washington, DC, where I majored in chemistry and physics at the George Washington University, sang in an a cappella group, became a member of the Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity, interned at the White House, and affirmed my love for science and chemistry by researching energetics and explosives at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD. In 2012, I earned my teaching credential and M.Ed. at the University of San Diego while student teaching chemistry at Kearny Digital Media and Design. My action research project in grad school, which you can view here, was titled, "'I didn't know chem can be fun': Teaching Practices to Engage Underperforming Students to Learn a Practical Understanding of Chemistry." After grad school, I taught 10th grade Math 2 and Chemistry for 2.5 years at High Tech High Chula Vista in the South Bay region of San Diego. At HTHCV, I fell in love with PBL. My foray into the adventure that is project-based learning continued in the mountains of Durango, CO, where I taught math at Animas High School. For two years, I focused on reconnecting with the beauty of the natural world around me, spending my time frolicking in the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Southwest.
Exploring, playing, and adventuring
In addition to teaching and talking about science, my passions include traveling, trying new foods, telling stories, reading, solving lots of different kinds of puzzles (I am a Sudoku master!), rock climbing, CrossFit, snowboarding, paddling, skydiving, and chasing my dog Anakin as he explores the world around us. In particular, I think travel has the power to transform, heal, and inspire, and so far have accompanied 6 different groups of students on international excursions. My partner, Scott, is a wildland firefighter, and together we have hiked, camped, and played in many lakes, rivers, and mountain systems in the western United States.
Talking shop
If you wish to contact me for any reason--whether you have questions about my classroom, are seeking resources on STEM education or project-based learning, or even need a new friend to explore with--please feel free to send me an email!
Final words
I returned to coastal city living in summer 2017 to head up the high school science department at the Monarch School. As of 2019, I am the High School Head Teacher and excited to work with my team to bring project-based learning to our students. I hope that, through engaging and empowering learning experiences, my students will be inspired to dream big, work hard, and learn to play and live with passion.