Sylmar High School Math Science Technology Magnet's Staff:

• Debbie Steinert: Coordinator- Ms. Steinert has lived in Sylmar since 1964. She graduated from Sylmar High in 1980. She earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Geology from CSUN. She began teaching Science, Health and Computers at Olive Vista Middle School in 1984. While at Olive Vista, she served as Science Department Chair, Technology Coordinator, Impact Leader and School Based Management member. She was involved in writing several grants, bringing technology to students and has led workshops in Earthquake Safety and Geology. Ms. Steinert came to Sylmar High School as the Magnet School Coordinator in 1994. Her children attended Sylmar's Magnet.

• Sandra Marquez: Secretary- Ms. Marquez is the newest addition in the Magnet family, replacing Mrs. Swick (who left big shoes to fill). This is the first time she has worked in a school; it is exciting because she is getting to know all of our students and their personalities. She was previously working as a drug/HIV counselor, where she worked with men and women from all walks of life who were addicted to heavy drugs. She contributed to their recovery by educating them to all the risks involved in this lifestyle and by showing them a new direction in life. Now, she looks forward to being a part of the Magnet students’ success in education.

• Jeff Dellisanti: Magnet Counselor- Born in Phoenix, he moved to LA in 1980 to finish his degree in music at CSUN. After graduating in 1983, he spent many years working as a living as a touring musician, playing in a wide variety of situations. He was a substitute teacher in LAUSD for 16 years to help make ends meet and also taught privately. The economy and music industry being somewhat bleak, he got smart and decided to use his degree and pursue a career in education. He earned his credential from CSUN. Mr. Dellisanti joined the magnet as a temporary advisor in 1999 and became our permanent counselor in 2002.

• Joel Albritton: Honors and A.P. English Language- Mr. Albritton earned B.A. in the Classics from the University of California, Riverside. He earned his M.A. from the University of Washington. He has been and instructor and teaching assistant at the college level and has many years experience working with youth groups. He came to the Sylmar Magnet in the spring of 2004 and teaches American literature and Advanced Placement English Language. He has a wide variety of interests including music and ancient languages (he speaks Greek and Latin!) While not at school, you will find Mr. Albritton and his wife playing with their children Gavin and Audrey.

• Phil Brown:10th and 9th Grade Honors English, Life Skills- Mr. Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1986 and a Master of Arts degree in English in 1993 from San Francisco State University. He has studied drama and theater in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has been an instructor at both California State University, Northridge and at UCLA and has recently published a book. Mr. Brown taught English and Drama at South Gate High School for five years before coming to Sylmar High School in 1993.

• Angela Campbell: Honors Chemistry and Biology- Ms. Campbell has been teaching chemistry since 1996. She has been at Sylmar High School since the fall of 2005 and started teaching in the Magnet Program in the fall of 2006. She taught biology, chemistry, and physics for 9 years at Pasadena High School prior to joining the Sylmar staff. She has a BA in Human Biology and a MA in Education from Stanford University. She is an Institutional Biosafety Committee member at City of Hope. Her hobbies include scuba diving, traveling, swing dancing, soap making, and spending time with her two daughters and her husband, who is an engineer at JPL.

• Ana Campos: A.P. Spanish Language- Ms. Campos graduated from CSU, Northridge in 1996 with a Master's Degree in Spanish Literature. She came to our Magnet School to teach all levels of Spanish, including Advanced Placement in 1996. She is the sponsor of our Teatro Latino Club helping students to learn more about the Language, Dances, Music and Culture of Spanish speaking countries. Her favorite activity is spending time with her baby daughter.

• Chris Conkling: English- Mr. Conkling comes from a family that was huge in the music industry, but he was more interested in language than music. He graduated from Van Nuys High and then attended Dartmouth College. After living in Japan for 30 months, he completed his B.A. at BYU, where his senior paper was published and won a national history award. He finished his masters at CSUDH. He wrote for television and movies including the screenplay for the animated production of Lord of the Rings. He then went into advertising and marketing writing for many years. He now coordinates the writing program and campus newspaper at the University of Judaism, where he teaches as well. He has produced two books, many articles, hundreds of ads, brochures and packages, and six children with the help of wife Robin.

• Ken Coulson: Honors Algebra II and A.P. Calculus- Mr. Coulson received his B.S. in mathematics from California State Polytechnic University where he graduated with honors. Additionally, he has an Masters in computer sciences from West Coast University. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Mr. Coulson spent over twenty years in the computer industry as a systems engineer, software developer and later doing marketing and sales. Mr. Coulson came to Sylmar High school in 1995 from Burbank Middle School where he taught mathematics to both English and Spanish speaking students.

• Roy Cuerquez: Honors Geometry- Mr. Cuerquez joined Sylmar High School last September 2006 as a member of the Cultural Exchange Teacher Program from the Philippines of the Amity Institute. Amity is an international program for cultural understanding and friendship. He holds Bachelors degrees in Civil Engineering and Secondary Education in Mathematics. He also has a Masters in Mathematics Education. He has worked as an educator since 1983 in a variety or positions including Math Teacher, Principal, Education Supervisor, College Instructor and University Executive Vice President. He enjoys music and lead a youth drum and bugle corps.

• Luanne Emery: Health- Ms. Emery received her Bachelors degree and teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona. She began her teaching career at Burbank Middle School in 1977, where she taught Biology and Health. In 1992, she transferred to Olive Vista Middle school so she could be closer to her home and three children. In 1996, she began her high school career at Sylmar High, teaching health, Life Skills and World of Education. She has been instrumental in helping to shape the Future Teacher's Academy at Sylmar High. She happily joined the Magnet family in 2006.

• Lawrence Friedrich: Honors Algebra I, Honors Math Analysis, and A.P. Physics- Mr Friedrich earned his B.S. degree in physics from the California State University of Northridge (CSUN) in 1972. He has worked as a lab technician and an engineer. For seven years he was self-employed as a swimming pool technician (Yep. He cleaned them.) Mr. Friedrich came to the Magnet School in 1996 from San Fernando Middle School where he taught math for ten years. Mr. Friedrich is a musician as well and still preforms on his trombone. While not in school, he likes to spend time with his wife, two children and three grandchildren.

• Adana Gardner: 9th Grade Honors English- Ms. Gardner holds an M.A. in Cross-Cultural education. She grew up in Sylmar, where she attended Hubbard Elementary and Olive Vista Junior High. She pursued her love of the arts at the Van Nuys High Performing Arts Magnet and graduated from UCLA in 1994 with her BA. She has also acted professionally. She joined the Sylmar High Staff in 1999, teaching English and directing the musical Grease. She is very proud to be teaching ninth grade English in the Magnet.

• Arleen Gonzales: Honors Biology- Twenty years after graduating from Sylmar High School, Ms. Gonzales returned as a teacher in 1997. Ms. Gonzales attended Stanford University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Human Biology. She also has a Masters in Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Development. Upon graduation from Stanford University, Ms. Gonzales coordinated a cancer study at USC's School of Medicine. She then earned her teaching credential and taught life, physical, and earth sciences, as well as health, to students at San Fernando Middle School for nine years. She is currently the Science Department Chair.

• Keith Kurlander: Honors World History, Honors U.S. History, and Life Skills- Mr. Kurlander comes to us with a wide variety of experience. He served in the Navy. While stationed in Japan, he taught English in private schools. In 1977 he earned his B.A. in History from California State University, Northridge. He earned his M.A. in History from CSUN in 1983. He taught all levels of Social Studies and Human Relations at Maclay Middle School for eighteen years before coming to the Sylmar High Magnet in 1995.

• Barbara Lindsay: Honors Physics and A.P. Chemistry- Mrs. Lindsay has been a Sylmar resident for many years. Her three children are graduates of Sylmar High School and college graduates. Mrs. Lindsay holds a Bachelors degree in Science Education and a Masters Degree in Chemistry from Syracuse University in New York. For 12 years she taught Biological, Physical and Marine Science at Olive Vista Middle School. She came to Sylmar Magnet in September of 1995. She is very involved in numerous community groups in Sylmar.

• Ana Magaña: Spanish- Ms. Magaña originally comes from El Salvador. She studied agriculture at the University of El Salvador. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Language and Culture in the Spanish Language at California State University, Northridge. She has worked for LAUSD since 1995 in several capacities. She has been a tutor in math science, social studies and English as a Second Language. She has also been a teaching assistant in Special Education classes. She joined the Magnet family in 2006.

• Soheil Mashhoud: A.P. Biology, Honors Marine Biology- Mr. Mashhoud attended Sylmar High School and is currently teaching A.P. Biology. After graduating from Sylmar High School, he was accepted into the University of California Los Angeles. He is also currently coaching the Sylmar's League Champions girls and boys Volleyball team along with Robert Thompson.

• Stephen Richmond: A.P. World History, Honors U.S. History, A.P. U.S. History, Chicano Studies- Mr. Richmond grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He earned his BA in History from CSUN in 1988. Before joining the Magnet in 1996, Mr Richmond was a musician and comedy writer. He was also a private tennis instructor. He has worked for private companies for the several years, tutoring students for the Advanced Placement Exams, the SAT and helping them to prepare for college. He loves to help students become actively involved in the political process. He enjoys listening to many types of music and spending time with his son.

• Francis Wilson: Intoduction to Computers, New Media, Robotics, Introduction to Programming- Mr. Wilson began college as a physics major at Cal Tech, continued with a BA and MA in mathematics from UCLA, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickenson University and Doctoral work in Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He began working with computers in the classroom as a junior high school math teacher in New York City in 1968. He was very instrumental in developing the Magnet Computer Lab in 1994, which he sees as a wonderful resource for the whole school.

• Bill Winkes: A.P. Economy, A.P. Government- Mr. Winkes graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in History. Mr. Winkes was a Keck Fellow in Seaver College at Pepperdine University and has a Master's Degree in American Studies. Before joining the Sylmar Magnet in 1994, Mr. Winkes taught at Locke High School and Palisades High School. Since 1986 he has taught grades 9 through 12 Social Science classes including World History, U.S. History, A.P. U.S. History, Government, Economics, Cultural Awareness and Future Studies. Previous to his career in education, Mr Winkes was a manager in business for 15 years. He is currently the Social Studies Department Chair. Outside of school, Mr. Winkes spends time with his wife and son.