The desire to connect with others through mathematics brought Mele to High Tech High Media Arts in 2008, first as a mathematics teacher for 14 years and now as an Instructional Coach. Mele approaches learning with students and adults by looking at local and global communities with multiple lenses. She seeks to guide adults to create learning experiences with their students so that they are empowered by what they have learned to create social change. Mele holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College, an M.Ed. and credentials in Mathematics and Physics from U.C. Santa Barbara, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the High Tech High GSE. She strives to create meaningful experiences with all students and adults so that they may connect and influence each other in life and in learning. When not at school Mele enjoys climbing, playing soccer, singing, backpacking, cooking and eating good food, and spending time with friends and family.

Gaby has been with HTHMA for two years and has become an integral part of the College and Career team. She supports students with dual-enrollment classes, college applications, financial aid applications, and more. She holds a bachelors degree in Film from Cal State Northridge.

Lauryn bounced around the globe only to discover that the most amazing place in the world was right where she started- San Diego! She is passionate about teaching as a means of promoting justice and equity within her community. The 2023-24 school year will be Lauryn’s fourth year teaching at High Tech High Media Arts. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Master’s in Teaching and Education from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Lauryn’s hobbies are traveling to new places, reading (especially Science Fiction), watching scary movies, cooking (and eating!), yoga, backpacking, and running. Her passion for travel has taken her to 68 countries on 6 continents. Having had the rare opportunity to interact with a vast diversity of people, cultures, customs, and societies has deeply informed her worldview and teaching practice.

Paul comes to us from Abraham Lincoln High School, where he taught concurrent enrollment English 101 and Latin American Literature classes. Paul was born in Cuenca, Ecuador, and was raised in the South Bronx. He is a candidate for a doctorate degree at Colorado University Denver’s School of Education and Human Development, and is also pursuing an Ed.D in Urban Education and Diverse Communities. Paul’s hobbies include writing, camping, backpacking, snowboarding, playing and coaching soccer, and traveling with his family.

Brandon has been a dedicated member of the High Tech High community since 2008 and has served at High Tech High Media Arts (HTHMA) for the past 18 years. Over the last eight years, he has contributed to advancing HTHMA’s College and Career initiatives, supporting students in their journey to meaningful post-secondary pathways.

For five years, Brandon was a key member of HTHMA’s CARPE College Access Team, where he employed proven strategies to help students apply to, enroll in, and attend colleges where they were most likely to thrive and graduate. He also spent five years as the Internship Coordinator, guiding students as they explored career ideas and connected their experiences to their future college and career goals.

Brandon earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Williams College in Massachusetts. Born and raised in the Boston area, he brings a well-rounded perspective to his work with students. Outside of his professional life, Brandon enjoys spending quality time with his family, camping, hiking, reading, and watching his two sons grow and explore the world around them.