Welcome to Del Mar Heights and Del Mar Hills

Thrilled to be an Innovator at Heights and Hills

This summer, I learned to paddle board at night and snorkel for hours! I hope to continue my ocean adventures and actually see dolphins in the wild. I also hope to learn how to surf now that I have been "out on the ocean!" 

In my past have flown a plane! It was a small one, but I was able to learn how to take-off and land. What an amazing experience! I also rock out on stage singing songs I have written with my band. Each of these adventures makes me wonder what is possible. How can we make it even better? What is next? My adventures inspire me to imagine how we can build incredible journeys for our students.

I am so happy to be a part of the amazing team at Del Mar Heights and returning to the team at Del Mar Hills. I know we will continue to learn more about each other and create amazing opportunities for our kids.

Background and Experience:

I have 27 years of experience in education including teaching second and third grade, upper grade enrichment, primary intervention, Innovation Technology as well as serving in the role of school principal.

I previously taught at Del Mar Hill as a primary teacher for six years. I was honored to be chosen as the Del Mar Hill’s site Teacher of the Year for 2022-23. I was a second grade teacher in our Launch program in 2020-2021 where I was able to collaborate with teachers throughout our district and work with families from many different schools. I spent two years working closely with students and teachers at Pacific Sky as the Innovation Technologist.

I joined Del Mar Union School District in January 2014. I have had the pleasure of being a part of the team at Torrey Hills, Del Mar Hills, Pacific Sky, and now Del Mar Heights. I have always been passionate about STEAM+ for our students. I have organized many STEAM+ related events including supporting “STEAM+ Night” as a site teacher leader at DMHA in 2019-2021. For the last two years, families at Pacific Sky enjoyed the STEAM+ nights celebrated by our amazing STEAM+ team. I am excited for the STEAM+ Night for 2025!

Previously, I taught primary grades, upper grade enrichment, and primary intervention, as well as serving as principal, for fifteen years in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

I practiced law for eight years in the area of civil rights litigation. I made a change of career when I discovered the joy of working with children in elementary classrooms as a parent volunteer. 

Education:

I earned my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from U.C.S.D. in 1999. I earned my law degree at University of Denver College of Law and passed the California Bar in 1990. In between my undergraduate studies at D.U., and law school, I attended the Master’s Program in  Creative Writing at the University of Denver. My most recent training in Design Thinking at Nueva School was amazing! I love to learn!

Learning Goals:                                            

Together we will design with empathy, create with confidence, and learn collaboratively! As part of the STEAM+ team, my goal is to fully engage students and encourage making great connections in their learning. By building excitement for learning and creating our students will fully enjoy their time in Innovation. Students will be empowered to develop and explore their passions and interests. Innovation learning opportunities will ignite students’ genius for problem solving real world challenges. By incorporating design thinking, engineering, and technology into our classroom learning experiences we will promote critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.

Contact Information:

Monica Sorenson - Innovation msorenson@dmusd.org 

phone (858) 755-9367 Del Mar Heights