Name: Zosha Schoonmaker (Huemmer)
Hometown: San Diego
Years teaching: 5
Favorite activity/subject when you were a student in the grade currently teaching: Show and Tell and practicing my handwriting.
Favorite thing about San Diego: The amazing mexican food, and the sunshine!
Tell us about your family: I live with my husband Matt in University Heights. I grew up in Mission Hills with my parents and two younger sisters.
How do you nurture inquiry with your students? Kindergarteners are full of questions! I try to create an environment in which they feel comfortable asking their questions.
How do you like to spend your free time? I love to bake and cook. My favorite things to bake and decorate are cakes and cupcakes! I also love traveling with my husband and family.
Travel or experiences as an IB Teacher: I recently traveled to New Zealand and Australia for 8 months with my husband. Along the way we worked on organic farms and explored the country by campervan. We even had a chance to visit some schools in New Zealand, many of which don’t require students to wear shoes if they don’t want to. It was a great experience and we learned so much about ourselves along the way!
Why do you like working at McKinley? I like working at McKinley because of the sense of community that you feel when you are on campus. The staff is wonderful and full of such dedicated and inspiring people!
A word of advice/encouragement for students: Remember how unique and kind you are.