Welcome to Pacific Sky
Thrilled to be a Pilot!
I have actually 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 have only been a passenger in a hot air balloon but I loved that too! I am so happy to be joining the team at Pacific Sky this year. I know we will soar to new heights!
Background and Experience:
I have 24 years of experience in education including teaching second and third grade, upper grade enrichment, primary intervention, 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 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, and now Pacific Sky. 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.
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.
Learning Goals: 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) 523-4799
Educational Philosophy
&
When We Create
&
When We Create
Every child thrives when provided with learning opportunities tap into each child’s unique interests, talents, and passions. By creating a nurturing, exciting, inclusive learning environment, I can support every child to discover their strengths and build the skills they need for the future.
The Pacific Sky Innovation experience is an opportunity to discover, imagine, empathize, proto-type, create, revise, and capture amazing thinking. I will be working closely with classroom teachers to enhance content lessons in science, social studies, and social emotional learning every week. We will celebrate our time together and envision solutions to real world challenges.
Link to Google Classroom
Link to Class Schedule
Link to Pacific Sky Homepage
Life Outside the Hangar
When I am not teaching and learning about design thinking, engineering, and technology, I enjoy everything about San Diego. My husband and I love hiking on the trails near my home in Carlsbad, playing at Legoland with my nephews, and going to the beach. I take my dogs, Dolly and Rabbit, for walks too. I write, sing, play, perform, and record songs with my band Sometimes Julie. I often visit my daughter and five year old granddaughter in Surprise, Arizona. Life is so full and amazing!