Our Team

Mission

Built upon a foundation of academic excellence and a mindset to drive change, Exploration High School graduates are empowered with 21st century skills to solve the problems facing their communities.

Vision

Creating a school of learners who work and ideate together to build a culture and community of empathetic, equitable, and forward-thinking problem solvers.

Mission & Vision

Our Staff

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Dave Heighington

School Director

"We are reimagining high school education together. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of education across the country and have seen what authentic learning looks, sounds, and feels like. Everyone has a place at the table. Whether you're a student, parent, staff, or community member, you belong here. That's what we're building together.”

Liz Ford

Special Education Facilitator

“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”

Clarisa Gonzalez

SPED Paraprofessional

“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”

Mat Hunkins

Mathematics Facilitator

"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."

Alycia Monserrate

Social Studies Facilitator

¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨

Nat Turner

Director of Community Engagement

“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”

Hannah Witzig

Science Facilitator

“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”

Team

Liz Ford

Special Education Facilitator

“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”

Clarisa Gonzalez

SPED Paraprofessional

“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”

Mat Hunkins

Mathematics Facilitator

"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."

Alycia Monserrate

Social Studies Facilitator

¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨

Nat Turner

Director of Community Engagement

“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”

Hannah Witzig

Science Facilitator

“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”

Our Staff

Dave Heighington

School Director

"We are reimagining high school education together. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of education across the country and have seen what authentic learning looks, sounds, and feels like. Everyone has a place at the table. Whether you're a student, parent, staff, or community member, you belong here. That's what we're building together.”

Liz Ford

Special Education Facilitator

“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”

Clarisa Gonzalez

SPED Paraprofessional

“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”

Jenna Hughes

English Facilitator

“Education should be a place where joy and passion is found. Classrooms should be filled with discussions on topics students truly care about. That is where the learning happens – with engaged students that want to dig deeper because they genuinely want to learn more. That is the environment I strive for in my classroom.”

Mat Hunkins

Mathematics Facilitator

"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."

Alycia Monserrate

Social Studies Facilitator

¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨

Hannah Stewart

Science Facilitator

“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”

Nat Turner

Director of Community Engagement

“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”

Jeffery Williams

Dean of Students

“Students need to know every day is a new day, but it's important to learn and grow from yesterday! Don't take things for granted, don't limit yourself, and stay true to what you believe in!”