Teachers

Mrs. Zack - 6th grade Homeroom, 6th grade Math, Middle School Social Studies, 8th Religion
Hello, my name is Katie Zack and I am thrilled to be the 6th grade homeroom teacher. This is my fourteenth year at Stella Maris Academy. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Global Arts and a Master's in Educational Administration from CSUSM, a Professional Clear CLAD Multiple Subject Credential, and a supplemental degree in English. I have been in education for over 20 years and look forward to welcoming all my students to middle school this year!

Mrs. Moreau - 7th grade Homeroom, Advanced Math, and Religion
What a blessing it is to be a part of the Stella Maris community, especially this particular 7^th grade class!  We, as a class, are capable of being generous, compassionate, humble and forgiving, and we can care for each other as true friends.  This year we will invite Jesus to be a part of our class through our hours of prayer across the school year.  We will ask Him to take the people we are - our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and make us grow through His grace. 7^thgrade will be a blessing to our lives as we mature as Catholics.

Mrs. Flores- 8th grade Homeroom, Science, and Middle School Math
Hello and welcome!  My name is Megan Hughes.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology,  a Masters of Arts in Teaching, and teaching credentials in Life and Biological Sciences and Physics.  I started teaching in 2018 and have been blessed to be able to teach physics, credit recovery, general science, and varying subjects in grades 6-12 for the Grossmont Union High School District and now the San Diego Catholic Diocese.  I spent 3 years as the high school on-site substitute and then Opportunity teacher at Valhalla High School in San Diego before coming to Stella Maris Academy in 2021.  I love teaching middle school math and science and feel lucky to be able to share my scientific knowledge and research-based learning strategies with my students each day.  I am very excited to start this new year as part of the faith-filled, lifelong learning SMA community.

Ms Bennett - Middle School ELA
My name is Ms. Bennett and I am a product of Catholic education. This will be my 22nd year teaching in the Diocese of San Diego. I enjoy sharing my love for reading with students as we explore various genres and analyze novels. I love exploring with the students the vocabulary within each novel, critically analyzing the various plot points, themes, and writing styles of the authors as well as comparing the books to their movies. The students will engage in novel studies as well as various types of literary analysis. I am excited for the new school year and look forward to working with you this year.

Mr. Christiansen - Middle School Math
Hello, my name is Todd Christiansen and I am excited for my first year at Stella Maris Academy.  I will be teaching 4th-8th grade math.  I grew up in San Diego and graduated from UCLA with a BA in Economics-Business.  I have been in education for over 20 years, including two years as Center Director at Mathnasium of La Jolla.  I am passionate about helping students develop their math skills and look forward to serving in a Christ-centered environment.

Senora Pina - Middle School Spanish