Cori Starr
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Cori Starr earned her BS in Health Science and teaching credentials from Saint Mary's College in Moraga. After teaching in Antioch for 10 years, she became a Bronco in 2002. She is currently the department chair and teaches Biology, Physiology, and Physiology Honors. Cori is active in the Strategic Support Program in working with the mentors. Outside of school she enjoys reading, cooking, watching dance competitions and detective shows, and hanging out with her family.
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 Melanie Scott
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Melanie got her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from UC Santa Barbara in 2002. After graduating, she pursued her interests in animal health and worked for 10 years as a registered veterinary technician at Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital and Oakland Zoo. Melanie decided to change careers in 2011, and became a science teacher at Northgate High School. This is her 8th year teaching biology, Zoology and ROP Veterinary Science, and she loves that so many of her students are enthusiastic and goal-oriented. In addition to teaching science, Melanie is one of the Link Crew coordinators at Northgate, and loves working with student leaders and supporting incoming freshmen as they start their high school years.
In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, crafts, cooking, and traveling with her 2 children and her husband. She is always busy planning the next big adventure, and hopes to visit all of the National Parks by the time she turns 50! |
Kevin Taylor
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E-mail: taylork@mdusd.org
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Kevin Taylor received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Masters degree in Education from UC Davis, along with a teaching credential. He has a strong interest in chemistry, geology and geochemistry. He is a coach for the Walnut Creek Aquabears and was the head swim coach for the Pleasant Hill “Dolfins” swim team for 3 years. He also coached for the Northgate High School Swimming team. Throughout high school and college he played water polo and was on the swimming team.
"Science is all around us and part of our everyday life. I want my students to learn and understand the wonder and complexity of what they experience every day. I strongly believe that learning is an active process. It is my goal to have my students involved directly in the lessons. In my class, student will see, hear, and physically do the activities. This will hit on the three primary ways in which students learn. I look forward to teaching your students this year." |
 Todd Bauleke
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E-mail: Bauleket@mdusd.org
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Todd graduated from Chico State and moved into the professional sales field. He changed careers in 2004 and followed his love of teaching and started at Ygnacio Valley High School. After teaching 10 years at Ygnacio Valley, he switched to Northgate and has been here for the last 5 years. Todd currently teaches Biology and Earth Science. He is a Link Crew Coordinator and active member of the Wellness Committee. His certified therapy dog, Yoda, makes regular appearances in his classroom and on Wellness Days.
Outside of school, Todd enjoys painting, woodworking and biking. |
Paul Gundelfinger
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E-mail: gundelfingerp@mdusd.org
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Paul Gundelfinger received his Master of Science
in marine science from San Francisco State University in 2005. During the course of his studies and research he dove extensively off the California coast studying Rockfish populations. The goal of his research was to examine reproductive success of Rockfish populations in order to further our understanding of how best to conserve exploited fish populations. Paul is trained as a singer, plays guitar and recently began studying the upright bass. He likes to travel, and has wandered extensively throughout Europe and Asia. In his free time you will find him enjoying life with his family, which includes his wife and two wonderful children, fishing from my kayak off the coast, or hiking in the mountains. "As a graduate student I discovered I love to teach. As a biology and AP biology teacher at Northgate High School it is my goal to share my love of the natural world with my students and to engage them in the scientific process of inquiry and discovery. It is my hope that my students leave my class with a curious mind, and more finely honed skills for success in college and the world at large." |
Julia Fernandez
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E-mail: fernandezj@mdusd.org
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Julie was told "Your inclinations are in the fields of science and arts", by a counselor in high school so she decided to become a doctor. She earned her bachelor's degree in Medical Technology at the Philippine Women's University in Manila. She thought teaching was more noble than working in a laboratory at some hospital or clinic, so she took the required courses in Education and became a teacher. She was lucky to be awarded a government-sponsored scholarship in Physics teaching during my first year as a teacher and Physics became her minor. Julie loves teaching and has been inspiring students for more than thirty years.
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Tessa Eckenfelder
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E-mail: eckenfeldert@mdusd.org
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Tessa has been teaching Biology and Chemistry since 2011. She has always lived in the East Bay Area, graduating from Monte Vista High School in Danville. After high school, she attended CSU Long Beach, where she received a BS in Biology with a concentration in Zoology. She then moved back to Northern California and attended Sonoma State University where she earned her teaching credentials. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her son, reading science fiction books, and watching zombie flicks. Over summer, she spends time traveling, visiting family who live all around the US, and revising her curriculum in preparation for the new school year. She absolutely loves teaching, and come August, she can’t wait to get back!
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Bio to come
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Kipp Penovich
E-mail: carlilew@mdusd.org
Willie Carlile
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