Lucas Scholars Program Faculty 2016
Dr. Dijanna Figueroa
Program Director
Dr. Dijanna Figueroa has a BS in Marine Biology (UCLA) and a PhD in Marine Science (UCSB). She is a marine scientist and educator who has spent over 15 years investigating deep sea ecosystems and developing new research instrumentation for deep sea exploration. Her work has been featured in science and nature programs and various media outlets, including James Cameron’s documentary, “Aliens of the Deep.” In 2006 she began to focus on education. She believes in the power of hands-on education and has become a maker mentor. She has experience teaching science, engineering and STEAM in K-8 schools throughout greater Los Angeles. She is a member of the Maker Education Initiative Maker Corps. She is committed to providing engaging learning opportunities for young people that help prepare them for the science and technological discoveries of the future. She is very excited to join the middle school science program at Saint Matthews Parish School.
Dr. Dijanna Figueroa has a BS in Marine Biology (UCLA) and a PhD in Marine Science (UCSB). She is a marine scientist and educator who has spent over 15 years investigating deep sea ecosystems and developing new research instrumentation for deep sea exploration. Her work has been featured in science and nature programs and various media outlets, including James Cameron’s documentary, “Aliens of the Deep.” In 2006 she began to focus on education. She believes in the power of hands-on education and has become a maker mentor. She has experience teaching science, engineering and STEAM in K-8 schools throughout greater Los Angeles. She is a member of the Maker Education Initiative Maker Corps. She is committed to providing engaging learning opportunities for young people that help prepare them for the science and technological discoveries of the future. She is very excited to join the middle school science program at Saint Matthews Parish School.
Rebecca Waid
Program Faculty
Ms. Waid loves the geology and biology of the earth, and the physical processes that it undergoes which make it so diverse and beautiful. She aspires to share her passion of the earth with her students, and hopes her students will learn to think analytically as scientists about the natural world around them. She graduated from UCSB with with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and emphasis in Hydrogeology, and competed on the Water Polo Team. Prior to St. Matthew’s, Ms. Waid worked for a non-profit, teaching in a variety of schools in Santa Barbara including the subjects of AP Environmental Science, Geology, and Sustainability. She is very excited to join the St. Matthew’s team
Ms. Waid loves the geology and biology of the earth, and the physical processes that it undergoes which make it so diverse and beautiful. She aspires to share her passion of the earth with her students, and hopes her students will learn to think analytically as scientists about the natural world around them. She graduated from UCSB with with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and emphasis in Hydrogeology, and competed on the Water Polo Team. Prior to St. Matthew’s, Ms. Waid worked for a non-profit, teaching in a variety of schools in Santa Barbara including the subjects of AP Environmental Science, Geology, and Sustainability. She is very excited to join the St. Matthew’s team
Reynaldo Macias
Director of Media and Program Faculty
A history teacher since 1994, and at St. Matthew's Parish School since 2005, Mr. Macias likes to say that he “teaches life. History is just the story I use to make the point.” A lifelong student himself, Mr. Macias earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Brown University. Currently, he is investigating opportunities to earn Distinguished Educator status with Apple by becoming certified in their iLife and iWork suites of programs. Mr. Macias was a Lucas Fellowship recipient twice in 2012, traveling on behalf of St. Matthew’s to the Parish of St. Paul’s in Caracól, Haiti, and traveling to Perú to create an interdisciplinary, cross-curricular academic unit involving Spanish and History.
A history teacher since 1994, and at St. Matthew's Parish School since 2005, Mr. Macias likes to say that he “teaches life. History is just the story I use to make the point.” A lifelong student himself, Mr. Macias earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Brown University. Currently, he is investigating opportunities to earn Distinguished Educator status with Apple by becoming certified in their iLife and iWork suites of programs. Mr. Macias was a Lucas Fellowship recipient twice in 2012, traveling on behalf of St. Matthew’s to the Parish of St. Paul’s in Caracól, Haiti, and traveling to Perú to create an interdisciplinary, cross-curricular academic unit involving Spanish and History.
Manny Quintero
Program Faculty
Mr. Quintero began his career at St. Matthew’s in 2005 as part of the technology team. He works closely with the Director of Technology to implement and support technology across all grades at St. Matthews and also co-teaches 5th and 6th grade technology. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Elementary Science from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Mr. Quintero also coaches the 5th-8th grade girls softball team and the 7th-8th grade boys basketball team. When he is not at St. Matthew's, Mr. Quintero loves to spend time with his wife and three kids.
Mr. Quintero began his career at St. Matthew’s in 2005 as part of the technology team. He works closely with the Director of Technology to implement and support technology across all grades at St. Matthews and also co-teaches 5th and 6th grade technology. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Elementary Science from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Mr. Quintero also coaches the 5th-8th grade girls softball team and the 7th-8th grade boys basketball team. When he is not at St. Matthew's, Mr. Quintero loves to spend time with his wife and three kids.
Jillian Esby
Program Faculty
A love of nature, excitement for discovery, and passion for teaching is what Mrs. Esby packs in her school bag each morning. She began working at St. Matthew's in 2000 after relocating from the midwest. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Urban Planning from the University of Kansas and both a Multiple Subject and Single Subject teaching credential from Vanguard University. Mrs. Esby teaches 1st-4th grade Science and serves as the Sustainability Coordinator and Lunch Coordinator for the school. Mrs. Esby loves problem solving and is committed to helping St. Matthew's improve just a bit more each day!
A love of nature, excitement for discovery, and passion for teaching is what Mrs. Esby packs in her school bag each morning. She began working at St. Matthew's in 2000 after relocating from the midwest. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Urban Planning from the University of Kansas and both a Multiple Subject and Single Subject teaching credential from Vanguard University. Mrs. Esby teaches 1st-4th grade Science and serves as the Sustainability Coordinator and Lunch Coordinator for the school. Mrs. Esby loves problem solving and is committed to helping St. Matthew's improve just a bit more each day!