Teachers
MRS. PINON
I graduated from Fresno State and began teaching in an elementary school there before moving to California’s Central Coast and teaching 6th grade in a middle school. After about 10 years, I moved to San Diego with my husband and 4 kids and began working with high school refugee English learners in 2008 in the New Arrival Center at Crawford High School until its closure in 2016. I completed my master’s thesis on Critical Thinking with Refugee English Learners with UCSD in August of 2014 and have worked with multiple campus clubs, higher learning institutions, and community organizations to support students and families in San Diego.
I currently teach 10th grade English and 12th grade English here at San Diego High School, and am the director of the amazing MedTech Academy. At this point in my career, I have been teaching for 22 years and have been lucky enough to have worked with some incredible students and colleagues over the years, but I have to say that I am having such a blast working with MedTech! I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of a program that connects students with future careers in the medical field, and I’m so glad I can help out in any way I can.
ELA 3/4
Advanced English and Public Health
Avid 12
MRS. O'CONNOR
My name is Kate O’Connor and I’ve been a teacher for 24 years, 19 of them being at SDHS. I have four children of my own, two of whom are SDHS graduates and two more who will be! When I’m not teaching or pushing students to want more for themselves I can be found enjoying my family or my beautiful city. I love traveling, baking, cooking and learning how to cook from different cultures, and going to the beach. I am very proud of the MedTech Academy and my students. I love teaching in the academy and I especially love looping with my students and teaching them as freshman, sophomores, and seniors. My hope is to inspire my students to pursue the credentials and education needed to increase their representation in lucrative industries.
Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS)
Human Body Systems (HBS)
Biomedical Innovations (BI)
MRS. GIBSON
I have been teaching history, psychology & AVID for the last 16 years with SDUSD. I have taught grades 6th thru 12th in history at O’Farrell M.S., Point Loma H.S., SCPA, De Portola M.S, and San Diego H.S.. While I have had many work experiences before teaching (tutor at community college, program manager at the SDNHM (San Diego Natural History Museum, student trustee for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, and retail), teaching is what I enjoy most! I love teaching students about history. My favorite subject is world history.
My education includes a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of California San Diego, and a Master’s Degree in Education with emphasis in cross culture studies and teaching from National University with distinction.
When I am not teaching, I am spending time with my family and friends. My family includes my husband Michael, my two kids Jack and Jocelyn, two dogs (Rocky and Rosie). I have also coached many sports (baseball, soccer, and cheer) and you can usually find me at a field somewhere cheering on my kids. I also love to travel, cook, DIY (home restoration), and an avid reader.
My philosophy is to provide an interesting, challenging, learning environment where my students will flourish socially and academically. I hope to instill the love of learning history in your child. My goal is to develop independent learners who have a love of learning and are truly life-long learners.
I love working with the Med-Tech program at SDHS. The students and teachers are amazing. When students join Med-Tech, you immediately become part of the Med-Tech family. The academics, learning opportunities, field trips, and friendships make Med-Tech the best tech on campus.
AP Psychology
AVID 12
MS. SZETO
Hi! My name is Clara Szeto and I teach Medical Interventions. I have always been curious about how the world works, so science is a lifelong passion of mine. One of my favorite moments in life is seeing the “light bulb” turn on for my students. Other than teaching, I enjoy skiing, traveling, hanging out at the beach with my dog, Kairo, and going to music festivals. I am honored to be part of the MedTech family and I’m excited to meet YOU!
Medical Interventions
DR. RICO
I came to San Diego High in 1996 and worked here part-time in the science department until 2011, when I went to live in Spain with my family for 5 years!
I returned to SDHS last year, and this year I was lucky enough to be chosen as the Chemistry teacher for both MedTech and GeoTech students. This is my first year working with MedTech students.
It has been a joy. My 11th grade MedTech students hang together as a group. They help each other, they work together to get things done, and they feel like they can depend on each other to want to learn and do their best. There is a harmony based on this special experience of being part of an Academy that is not present in a group of kids who just get put together in a class for one year and then go their separate ways. In addition, the MedTech experience provides various opportunities to interact with professionals from the San Diego community, and those experiences enter the classroom, as students tell me about what they've learned in previous classes. Also important are the multiple field trips over the years that allow students to bond in a way that is nearly impossible in a normal high school setting.
I look forward to being a MedTech teacher next year! What a treat!
Biology
Chemistry
Science Research Techniques
MS. MOHILL
I teach the Visual Art classes Art 1-2, Color and Design and Drawing and Painting at San Diego High School. As part of the MedTech Academy, I teach Color and Design to the 10th grade students which is paired up with their Human Body Systems class and I will be teaching Drawing and Painting for the 11th grade students which is paired up with their Medical Interventions class. I have been a part of the MedTech academy for 7 years now and have some great memories from all of the different events over the years. I have gone on some amazing field trips like the Men in Nursing Conference and the Human Bodies Exhibit. My favorite field trip is the College trip which provides our Junior’s the opportunity to tour colleges all over Northern California.
I am originally from Chicago Illinois. After high school I moved to Arizona for college where I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts at Arizona State University where I majored in Art Education and minored in Ceramics. I have been teaching Art in the San Diego Unified School District for over 17 years now at a few different high schools and I’m so lucky to be a part of such an amazing academy with great teachers and awesome students.
When I’m not teaching I love to stay busy by reading, crocheting, singing karaoke, drawing and painting and experimenting with new materials for my classroom.
Color and Design
Drawing and Painting