Academy for Academic Excellence - MS/HS Science Instructors

MS/HS Science Instructors

Mrs. Dana Klopping, MS 6th Grade NGSS Integrated Science, MS-HS Drama

Mrs. Klopping can be reached by email @ dklopping@lcer.org (remember the e at the end) or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 371.

Mrs. Sandra Perea, MS 7th Grade NGSS Integrated Science, MS Environmental Science Elective

Sandra Perea received her B.S. in Biology from University of Texas at Arlington in 1992. She worked in water pollution prevention for a number of years before a career change to education in 2000. Mrs. Perea continued her education at Chapman University, achieving a multiple subject credential and a secondary credential in Biological Sciences within the next two years. Her teaching career has focused on middle school sciences, including Earth, Environmental, Life, and Integrated Sciences. She also completed her MEd in Reading and Curriculum from Grand Canyon University, Arizona in 2010. In addition to her students assisting in working with AAE’s Tortoise Terrace, Mrs. Perea serves as Advisor for the MS Interact Club. Mrs. Perea’s AAE career began in 2014.

Mrs. Perea can be reached by email @ sperea@lcer.org or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 283.

Mrs. Gaidzik, MS-HS 8th Grade NGSS Integrated Science, Space Scientist

Mrs. Gaidzik received her BA from CSUSB in 1995 where she graduated Phi Kappa Phi. She completed her teacher credentialing classes at Chapman University obtaining a clear credential in Health Science and Geoscience. Mrs. Gaidzik's has been teaching at both the Middle and High School level for more than 13 years. In the past she taught classes in Physical Science, Biology, Life Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science. Currently, Mrs. Gaidzik is teaching 8th grade NGSS Integrated Science and Space Scientist (an 8th through HS elective).

Mrs. Gaidzik came to AAE in January 2004. She enjoys having fun with her 8th grade students as she leads them through the many hands-on lessons and challenging activities or when she takes the Space Scientist students on one of their "extraterrestrial" explorations.

Mrs. Gaidzik can be reached by email @ dgaidzik@lcer.org or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 184.

Mr. Pike, HS NGSS Integrated Science Course 1, GIS Spatial Analysis

Mr. Pike completed his BA in Geography and Urban Planning from California State University, San Bernardino in 2002. Mr. Pike completed his teaching credentialing classes at Chapman University and currently holds a clear California teaching credential in Geosciences as well as a clear credential Social Sciences. Mr. Pike has been teaching at the MS/HS level for over 18 years. In the past, Mr. Pike taught academic core classes in HS Physics, HS GeoScience, MS Physical Science, MS Life Science, MS World History. Mr. Pike has also taught many HS/MS electives: HS Water Science, HS Robotics, Web Design, Photoshop, Digital Photography and Design, Digital Video Production, Digital Music Production, and Contemporary Rock Band.

Mr. Pike enjoys riding his bicycle, hiking in the desert, the mountains, and the coastlines. He also enjoys spending time playing music on bass and guitar, reading books, camping with his family, walking the dogs, swimming and surfing and boogie boarding with his kids, cooking, gardening, photography, and researching all about how people learn and teach best.

Mr. Pike can be reached by email @ dpike@lcer.org or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 254.

Mrs. Johnston, HS NGSS Integrated Science Course 2

Mrs. Johnston graduated from UCR with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She was granted a fellowship through the departments of Toxicology and Molecular Biology to participate in a joint research project with Glaxo Wellcome Pharmaceuticals in Berkhamsted, England. Following Mrs. Johnston's return to the states, she was active in community service and raising her two children.

Mrs. Johnston began her teaching career in 2002 instructing life and physical sciences to middle school students. She holds teaching credentials in multiple subjects, G.A.T.E., CLAD, as well as supplements in math and science. In addition, Mrs. Johnston has received training from A.V.I.D., Assessment Training Institute, Life Long Learning, Inc., and Azusa Pacific University. She recently earned a secondary credential to teach biology at high school level. Since then, she has enjoyed teaching Biology and Life Science at the AAE.

Mrs. Johnston can be reached by email @ njohnston@lcer.org or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 152.

Mr. Bailey, HS NGSS Integrated Science Course 3, Year Book

Mr. Bailey’s collegiate experiences include studies in music and computer programming, but mostly sciences. His lifelong passions for studying any animal that lives on land naturally led him in a direction that earned him a BA in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from CSU Stanislaus in 1985. Experiences as an educator ranges from “Traveling Teacher” for a Natural History Museum in Modesto, CA, to graduate level courses in Herpetology in New Mexico. A 17 year stint in Barstow included healthy doses of all different levels of high school and college biology, and high school chemistry. For 3-½ years, Mr. Bailey served as a Teacher On Assignment for several technology projects through San Bernardino County Schools. Ironically, even though his first love in science is Biology, Mr. Bailey has spent a greater portion of his career teaching Chemistry.

Mr. Bailey has great passion for photography, “wild” and/or beautiful places, and living things, preferably all at the same time. He willingly shares that enthusiasm with anyone who makes the mistake of indicating they are interested in any of these; and sometimes even if they don’t.

Mr. Bailey can be reached by email @ sbailey@lcer.org or by phone @ 760.946.5414 ext. 279.