Mrs. Garza
Hello, Amazing Casita Familes! I am incredibly fortunate to be back in 5th grade this year at Casita, teaching in our amazing International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school. This is my seventh year teaching full time. I am a third generation native San Diegan that comes from a family of proud public educators. I attended Sonoma State University and completed my B.A. in Liberal Studies and Human Development, and then completed my teaching credential. I moved back to San Diego in 2001 after traveling Europe, and I got my first teaching job in Cardiff School District. I spent my first two years of teaching with students learning English in an immersive classroom. I taught two additional years in Encinitas Union School district in kindergarten. This is my third year in 5th grade. There is nothing quite like seeing a student grow, try new things and expand their learning over the course of the school year.
I am married to my wonderful husband, Paul for 17 years and we have two precious daughters, one in middle school, and one in highschool. I left teaching full time for 11 years to be home with my girls. I’ve loved being able to volunteer in their classes, on school site councils and PTA boards. As a family, we love boogie boarding, traveling (the north shore of Kauai is our favorite destination so far,) running, cooking, reading, laughing and live music!
Both my daughters attended Casita, and we all fell in love with the family and learning community here. I substitute taught here for three and a half years and have enjoyed being in nearly every single room on campus. I especially enjoyed working with students in the specialists’ labs! Casita is a very special place where students are at the center and teachers are always learning in order to offer the best education and community of learning to our students. I couldn’t be more thrilled to join my amazing colleagues again on the fifth grade team to get to teach and inspire our students to be lifelong learners, and globally minded humans. It is going to be the most amazing year of learning and growth for us all!
[email protected]
I am married to my wonderful husband, Paul for 17 years and we have two precious daughters, one in middle school, and one in highschool. I left teaching full time for 11 years to be home with my girls. I’ve loved being able to volunteer in their classes, on school site councils and PTA boards. As a family, we love boogie boarding, traveling (the north shore of Kauai is our favorite destination so far,) running, cooking, reading, laughing and live music!
Both my daughters attended Casita, and we all fell in love with the family and learning community here. I substitute taught here for three and a half years and have enjoyed being in nearly every single room on campus. I especially enjoyed working with students in the specialists’ labs! Casita is a very special place where students are at the center and teachers are always learning in order to offer the best education and community of learning to our students. I couldn’t be more thrilled to join my amazing colleagues again on the fifth grade team to get to teach and inspire our students to be lifelong learners, and globally minded humans. It is going to be the most amazing year of learning and growth for us all!
[email protected]
Mr. Miller
I have had the great pleasure of being a teacher in the Vista Unified School District for 31 years. As I begin year 32, I am proud to say all of them have been at Casita Center! In so many ways Casita is my second home. I met my beautiful wife Joan at Casita 30 years ago. Our two wonderful daughters, Abby and Hannah, attended Casita, and I have taught amazing kids throughout my career who become part of my extended family. As for me, I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in General Studies and received my teaching credential. Teaching is much more than a job. I have met great kids, and families along the way. Teaching has given me the opportunity to share a lot of time with my family. We love the outdoors, and enjoy camping, snow sports, the beach, and so much more. Some of my hobbies include surfing, hiking, gardening, and I have climbed over thirty peaks in the Sierra Nevada. I am definitely looking forward to having a great 31st year at Casita!
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Mrs. Weiser
Hello Casita families! I am excited to be with your kids during their final year at Casita.
I earned a BA in psychology from UC Santa Cruz, a CLAD teaching credential from Sonoma State University, and a Master’s degree in education from Brandman University. It's hard to believe, but this is my 22nd year in education. My initial teaching experience was in Calistoga, a small town in northern Napa Valley. After my two sons were born, my family and I moved back to Southern California to be closer to extended family. I have held various teaching positions in San Diego county, including my six year stint as an ELD Resource Teacher for our very own Casita Center, and as a Lead ELD RT for VUSD. Several years ago, I was inspired to return to my roots, and make a direct impact in the classroom. I love being back at Casita, and am grateful to be able to explore the International Baccalaureate program through inquiry-based teaching!
Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my husband (we just celebrated our 21st anniversary - YIKES!), two teenage sons (Junior at Mission Vista High School & Freshman at Cal Poly Pomona), extended family, and our dogs. Together, we love to hike, camp and off-road in the California mountains and deserts, ski in Northern California, and learn about different cultures through travel. When we are home, we spend our time at the beach, family movie nights, and playing games together (charades is a family favorite).
I hope I can help make school interesting, fun and challenging for your child this year!
[email protected]
I earned a BA in psychology from UC Santa Cruz, a CLAD teaching credential from Sonoma State University, and a Master’s degree in education from Brandman University. It's hard to believe, but this is my 22nd year in education. My initial teaching experience was in Calistoga, a small town in northern Napa Valley. After my two sons were born, my family and I moved back to Southern California to be closer to extended family. I have held various teaching positions in San Diego county, including my six year stint as an ELD Resource Teacher for our very own Casita Center, and as a Lead ELD RT for VUSD. Several years ago, I was inspired to return to my roots, and make a direct impact in the classroom. I love being back at Casita, and am grateful to be able to explore the International Baccalaureate program through inquiry-based teaching!
Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my husband (we just celebrated our 21st anniversary - YIKES!), two teenage sons (Junior at Mission Vista High School & Freshman at Cal Poly Pomona), extended family, and our dogs. Together, we love to hike, camp and off-road in the California mountains and deserts, ski in Northern California, and learn about different cultures through travel. When we are home, we spend our time at the beach, family movie nights, and playing games together (charades is a family favorite).
I hope I can help make school interesting, fun and challenging for your child this year!
[email protected]