Address
6905 Kramer St.
San Diego, CA 92111

Office: (858)496-8060
Fax: (858)496-8358

E-mail: carselm@sandi.net

Principal: Anne Worrall
Vice Principal: Marina Garcia

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Our Teachers
In Alphabetical Order (Last Name)

Kit Laurie Ballard is currently the Resource Specialist teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 5 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is being able to work with such wonderful students and teachers. She loves being able to be a part of each of her students' lives. She has earned a Masters degree in Education, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject, Educational Specialist for students with Mild to Moderate disabilities, and Education Specialist for students with Moderate to Severe disabilities. In her" free time", Mrs. Ballard enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her dogs, reading, and going camping.


Ann Beitler Burchard is currently a 1st Grade Teacher here at Carson Elementary, and has been with S.D.C.S. for over 10 years-4 yrs. as a Teacher's Assistant and 6 yrs. as a Primary Teacher. Her favorite aspects of teaching here at Carson are the high levels of support and heartfelt dedication to the students, their families, and the community. In her "free time," Mrs. B enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and her soon-to-be 3 yr.-old son, Jackson, at the beach, visiting local museums, and especially bargain shopping at Kobey's Swap Meet early Sunday mornings. Mrs. B was recently notified her latest submission to a Children's Literature Publication Co. will be beginning the final stages of the Writing Process and is planned to make its debut early next Fall.


Linda Bertin is currently a Kindergarten teacher in the biliteracy program here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 28 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is being part an awesome team of biliteracy teachers and working with such great families. She has earned a B.A. degree in Sociology with a minor in Educational Technology and Librarianship, a Master's Degree in Policy Studies in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technology, and is currently working on her Math Specialist Certificate. She also holds a Mulitiple Subjects elementary teaching credential with a Bilingual/Cross Cultural Emphasis. In her" free time", Ms. Bertin enjoys spending time with her 3 grown daughters, her 2 dogs, 2 cats, reading, and scrapbooking. Her favorite authors are Anita Shreve and James Patterson.


Sara Burgin is currently a 3rd grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 4 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the great kids and the support from families. She has earned both bachelor and master degrees, and holds the following teaching credentials: multiple subject with CLAD and a supplemental authorization in English. In her free time, Miss Burgin enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends. Her personal favorite book is The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, a book about the Hmong culture and their experience trying to maintain their culture while living in United States.


Gail Filipowski is currently a kindergarten teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 23 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the diversity of the students. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree, and holds a K-12 Multiple Subjects teaching credential. In her free time, Mrs. Filipowski enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and her personal favorite quote is “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”


Marina Garcia is currently serving as Carson Elementary School's vice principal. She has been a vice principal for seven years and has been at Carson for three of those years. Marina also holds a teaching credential & school counseling credential and thoroughly enjoys the unique opportunities each of her past and present jobs have offered. She feels it is a joy and privilege to spend her day in the company of Carson students, families and staff.


Jeff Govoni is currently a 5th grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 4 years. His favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is writing and math. He has earned a Bachelor degree in English, and holds the following teaching credentials: California CLAD Multiple Subject teaching Credential, GATE certificate, and a Mathematics Specialist certificate. In his" free time", Mr. Govoni enjoys movies, softball, running (not enough), reading, and dreaming of more free time.


Suzanne Hampton is a second grade teacher here at Carson. She has been teaching for 13 years. She has been at Carson for 10 years teaching second grade. She has a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and is a National Board Certificated Teacher. She likes teaching second graders because they have a lot of enthusiasm for learning and are always asking questions. In her free time she enjoys swimming on an adult masters team and when the ocean is warm, swimming from La Jolla Shores to the Cove and back. She loves spending time with her husband Mr. Hampton, and her son Myles. She is looking forward to having her second son in February 2006. She loves to read all kinds of books and magazines. Her last two favorite books she read were Swimming to Antartica and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. One of her favorite quotes is from one of her students this year. She tries to remember Hieu's words when she’s really busy; "Don't worry, tomorrow is another day."


Cate Hoff is currently a first grade biliteracy teacher here at Carson, and is in her ninth year of teaching. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with Carson's amazing students and staff. She has earned a BA in Spanish and Education and an MA in Education, and holds the following teaching credentials: BCLAD, Reading Specialist and Multiple Subject. When she's not teaching or planning lessons, Ms. Hoff enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, walking and traveling.


Catherine Huhn is currently the Speech Language Pathologist here at Carson. She has been an SLP for seven years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is seeing the children glow with pride when they are able to communicate something well. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders, and holds a Clinical/ Rehabilitative Services credential. In her " free time", Mrs. Huhn enjoys hiking, camping, and going to the beach.


Maria Kammerzell is currently a 4th grade biliterate teacher here at Carson, and is currently in her first year of teaching. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the camaraderie and the support between the staff, parents and students. This makes Carson an awesome place to work, especially for a new teacher. She has earned her Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts, emphasis in Spanish from the University of San Diego and holds a Multiple Subjects 2042 teaching credential with a BCLAD. Ms. Kammerzell is currently studying to receive her Master’s in Math, Science and Technology Education from USD. In her" free time", Ms. Kammerzell enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing and listening to local musicians. Her personal favorite quotes are “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow” from John Dewey.


Suanne Le is currently a second grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for seven years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with collaborative teachers who support one another. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at San Diego State University and graduated at CSU of San Marcos with a teaching credential with an emphasis on multiple subjects. In her "free time", she enjoys spending time with her family. Her favorite book is Tuck Everlasting.


Trisha Magoon is currently the Project Resource Teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 11 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the wonderful students. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree in education, and holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. In her "free time", Ms. Magoon enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.


Maegan McDonald is currently a 2nd grade bilingual teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 9 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the friendly staff, supportive parents, and motivated students. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Spanish at San Diego State. She also holds a BCLAD teaching credential which she received by studying in Mexico City. She just recently completed her Master's Degree in Spanish Linguistics. In her free time she loves to read mystery novels and go jogging at the beach. One of her current favorite books is "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.


Diana Ray-Medina is currently a Reading Recovery (Early Literacy Support) teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 20+ years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with students, colleagues and parents. She has earned a Masters and Bachelors degree. In her" free time", Ms. Ray-Medina enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, reading and cooking, Her personal favorite book/quote is from THE VELVETEEN RABBIT... "What is REAL? asked the rabbit. ...."Real isn't how you are made" said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you . When a child loves you for a long,long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."Does it hurt? asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes" said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." ...It doesn't happen all at once, ... You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.Generally , by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby, but these things don't matter at all because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."


Andrea Miller currently teaches 3 rd and 4th grade students at Carson. She has been teaching in San Diego Unified School District for 8 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson has been the caring and conscientious students she encounters daily. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her four children: Christian (age 14), Max (age 5), Henry (age 4), and Zoe (age 3). Her family time is very precious to her.


Isabel Muniz is currently a second/third grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 5 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching is to assist the next generation in becoming the best that they can be. She graduated from University of San Diego and later attended National
University. In her "free time", Mrs. Muniz enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is proud to be part of the Carson family.


 Nora Navarrete is currently a 2nd grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 20+ years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the students. She has earned a Master Degree from San Diego State University, and holds a Multiple Subject teaching credential. In her free time, Ms. Navarrete enjoys traveling, walking, tennis, dinner and a movie, quiet time reading, and spending time with family and friends. One of her personal favorite quotes is "Friendship is one of the greatest gifts you can share with a person."


 Kelly Oakes is currently a third grade teacher, and is in her fifth year of teaching here at Carson. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with Carson families to develop relationships that will foster student achievement. She has earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees, and holds the following teaching credentials: Preliminary/Clear Teaching Credential, Preliminary Administrative Credential, and is completing her GATE Certificate. In her free time, Mrs. Oakes enjoys spending time with her family, dirt-biking and camping in the desert, and continuing her development as a life-long learner. Her favorite book is Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles.


 Karen L. Palmer is currently a fourth grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 26 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the multi-cultural mixture of students. She has earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Educational Technology degrees, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects K-8, Physical Education, Language Development Specialist, Gifted and Talented Education and a professional certificate in Instructional Design. In her free time, Ms. Palmer enjoys dog walking, yoga, and reading, her personal favorite quote is "We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Attributed to Martin Luther King Jr.


Nina Podhorsky is currently a 5th grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 10 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the kids. She has earned a BA from Clark University in Mass. and Master of Education degree from San Diego State University, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject with a CLAD emphasis and GATE Credential. In her free time, Mrs. Podhorsky enjoys spending time with her family and traveling, and her favorite book is Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte.


Amy Popp is currently a K/1 biliteracy teacher here at Carson and has been a teacher for 10 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is incorporating the arts into the curriculum. She has earned Bachelors and Masters degrees and holds the following teaching credentials: BCLAD Multiple Subject and English Single Subject. In her free time, Ms. Popp enjoys music and yoga and her favorite book is Tacky the Penguin.


Nancy Rauner is currently a Library Media teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 24 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is being able to work with all of the students. She has earned a masters degree and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject Teaching, Library Media. In her free time, Ms. Rauner enjoys riding her bicycle, going on long walks with her dog, and reading. Her personal favorite quote is "Time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things."


Patricia Ross is currently a Kindergarten teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 14 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the staff and kids. She has earned a B.S. in Child Development and holds the following teaching credential: Multiple Subject. In her free time, Ms. Ross enjoys reading and family time and her favorite book is The Women.


Maria Isabel Sandoval is currently a 3/4 biliteracy teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for five years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the opportunity to teach Spanish and English to our Latino students. She has earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject, Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development. I n her free time, Ms. Sandoval enjoys playing with her son and cross-stitching, and her personal quote is "Enseñar es aprender dos veces" (Teaching is learning twice).


Sandy Sangsanoi is currently a Kindergarten teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 11 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is being able to work with the most wonderful staff and children. She has earned a Master's degree. In her" free time", Ms. Sangsanoi enjoys spending time with family, and her personal favorite quote is by Bette Midler; "Cherish forever what makes you unique, because you're really a yawn if it goes".


Marcy Shapiro is currently a third-grade teacher at Kit Carson elementary. She has been teaching for San Diego City Schools for nine years, all of them at Carson. She loves teaching at Carson because of the enthusiasm of the students. Ms. Shapiro earned her bachelor’s degree from Queens College in New York and her Master’s Degree from San Diego State University. She has a California Multiple Subject teaching credential from National University as well as her GATE certificate from City Schools. In her free time, Ms. Shapiro loves to read, knit, and listen to music. Her favorite types of books are historical novels and her current favorite book is “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry.


Susie Sor is currently a first grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 10 years . Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with children from different ethnic backgrounds and using these rich cultures to create a diverse and academically nurturing community.  She has earned a Masters degree, and holds the following teaching credentials: Profesional Clear Multiple Subject Credential for K-12. In her" free time", Mrs. Sor enjoys reading, traveling, shopping and spending time with her two children. Her personal favorite quote is “Imagination is the highest kite one can fly” by Lauren Bacall.


Sokoun Soung is currently a 4 th grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 4 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is being immersed in a classroom/school full of rich cultures. She has earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology, a Masters Degree in Education, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject CLAD and GATE. In her" free time", Ms. Soung enjoys gardening and dancing, and her personal favorite quote is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.


Angela Sphar is currently a 5th grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 4 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is the wonderful students and caring teachers. She has earned a Master's Degrees in Education, and a Bachelors in Social Work, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. In her" free time", Ms. Sphar enjoys her dog and being outdoors.


Theresa Tran is currently a 5th grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 7 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with the students and watching them grow and develop into critical thinkers. She has earned a BA degree from Univ. of California, San Diego, and holds the following teaching credentials: CLAD, Multiple Subject Credential, and Math Specialist Certificate. In her free time, Ms. Tran enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her children and her personal favorite books are To Kill a Mocking Bird and Pride and Prejudice.


Elana Trop is currently a 1st/2nd grade teacher here at Carson and this is her first year teaching. Her favorite aspect of working at Carson is getting to know the kids, watching them grow and helping them learn. She has earned a Masters degree in cross-cultural teaching. In her free time Miss Trop enjoys traveling, shopping and hanging out with her friends. She likes to read short stories from Raymond Carver, and one of her favorite quotes is, "Treat others as you want to be treated."

 
Emily Weller is currently a third grade teacher here at Carson, and has been a teacher for 5 years.  Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is getting to know Carson’s families.  She has earned Bachelor and Masters Degrees, and holds the following teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects with CLAD and BCLAD endorsements. In her free time, Mrs. Weller enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Molly, hiking, and cooking. One of her favorite quotes is by Margaret Meade. She said, “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”


Julie Wong is currently a second and third grade teacher in the special day class, non-severe setting at Carson. She has been a teacher for 10 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Carson is working with her diverse group of students. They seem to always find a way to put a smile on her face! She has earned degrees in Economics from UCSD and a master's degree in Special Education from SDSU. Julie holds teaching credentials in general education, special education, and gifted and talented. In her free time, Ms. Wong enjoys spending with her family and friends, travelling, reading, and knitting. Her personal favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird.


Anne Worrall is currently the principal here at Carson, and has been an educator for 15 years. Her favorite aspect of teaching and learning at Carson is the passion our teachers have for their work. Mrs. Worrall has earned a BA. and a M.Ed degree, and holds the following teaching credentials: K-12 Multiple Subject, Administrative Credential, Biliterate Certificate of Competence and Cross-Cultural Certificate, In her free time, Mrs. Worrall enjoys reading with her daughter, and one of her favorite quotes is the following statement by Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner: “We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading”.