Science

Dan Ary has taught for over 35 years, including 24 years as a full-time instructor at Laguna Blanca School. He is an adjunct professor in Mathematics at Santa Barbara City College and has been a Visiting Instructor in Computer Science at UCSB. His Master’s degree from UCSB is in Mathematics. During his graduate years at UCSB he acted as a Teaching Fellow specializing in enrichment math for EK-12. While at the university he worked many summers developing curriculum, grades K-6, for the DIGIT program.

He was instrumental in the development and teaching of the AP Calculus program at Laguna Blanca School and has frequently taught AP Computer Science there. In the past he has acted as chairman of the Math department.

Mr. Ary has tutored extensively with both individuals and small groups in math SAT. He has years of experience in teaching both SAT I and SAT II math courses. He has successfully collaborated in the development and teaching of SAT preparation courses since 2000.

When he is not enjoying his teaching of mathematics he spends his time at home playing with his Irish wolfhound. He enjoys Santa Barbara and feels privileged to have been a resident for over 45 years.

Erik Faust is a native of Colorado but has been living in California since he was in elementary school. He first fell in love with Santa Barbara after moving here in 2000 in pursuit of his then girlfriend and now wife, Lexie.

Zack Moore developed a passion for STEM after high school physics and went on to study civil engineering, cum laude, at the University of North Carolina. He began his teaching career in 1997 as a physics instructor for Peace Corps-Ghana, where he headed a regional science center serving five local school districts. After his service, Zack undertook a Peace Corps fellowship and earned a master’s degree in multicultural education from San Francisco State University. He began his current role as a STEM instructor in 2007 at Laguna Blanca School and has developed an EK-12 vision for STEM infusion into a traditional liberal arts institution. Zack has served a wide range of students including English as a Second Language students, underrepresented students with learning differences, and ex-pats. He recently brought his career full circle by serving as a Fulbright distinguished educator in Ghana, focusing on STEM infusion for Islamic girls. He is a winner of the 2021 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for the state of California and has also served as a presenter at various events including NSTA, CA STEAM symposium, TEDx Laguna Blanca, and The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Material Research Experience for Teachers program.  Zack is currently directing Laguna Blanca’s summer programs, which focus on project-based learning and outreach to the broader Santa Barbara community.

Elana Muzzy hails from Colorado and holds a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she was also a dedicated member of the cross country and track teams. She continued her academic journey at UC Santa Barbara, earning an M.S. in Bioengineering. Elana is deeply passionate about inspiring curiosity and a love for science in her students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys running, swimming, reading, and spending time outdoors. In 2023, she served as the cross country coach for Laguna Blanca School.

Katie Pointer joined Laguna’s science faculty in 2005 having completed her Masters of Education and Secondary Science Teaching Credential at UCSB. A Summa Cum Laude graduate from Westmont in chemistry, Katie received numerous honors during her distinguished undergraduate career, including the College’s Outstanding Graduate in Chemistry recognition and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society induction. Katie also received a five-year Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship, which afforded her the opportunity to work with other physics and chemistry teachers around the country to develop their teaching. In 2022, Laguna recognized Katie with the Faculty Excellence Award. Though her primary passion and teaching at Laguna have been in chemistry, she also enjoys the opportunity to share her love of the ocean with students through our Marine Science elective. Outside of school, you are likely to find Katie walking or reading at the beach.

After working in water quality monitoring in San Francisco and in education outreach at UC Berkeley, Jannine moved to Santa Barbara to attend graduate school at UCSB. She instantly fell in love with the beautiful beaches and mountains. Before arriving at Laguna, Jannine was a Director of Academic Innovation and a STEM instructor for the past 17 years. She delights in sparking students’ creativity and curiosity in science. When Jannine is not at work, she can be found hiking, surfing, or any number of outdoor adventures with her two young kids and husband. Jannine holds a single subject credential in Biology.

Kevin Valdez grew up in Santa Clarita, California, and later moved to Santa Barbara to pursue a B.A. in Environmental Studies at UCSB. He continued his education there, earning a teaching credential and a Master's in Education through their Teacher Education Program. With a strong emphasis on place-based and experiential learning, Kevin began his teaching career at Santa Barbara Jr. High School before transitioning to his current role as a science instructor at Laguna Blanca. Passionate about fostering a deep appreciation for science and the natural world, Kevin is dedicated to creating authentic learning experiences for his students. In his free time, he enjoys trading card games, spending time with his dogs, reading science fiction novels, and exploring new ways to connect students with the wonders of science.