The 2022-2023 school year brings several new teachers to Northgate High School. The Sentinel Staff on behalf of the educational community would like to welcome history teacher Meg Honey, English teacher Matthew Biundo, resource specialist Dr. Wanda Clemons, science teacher Joann Jacobs, resource specialist Christina Nelson, and math teacher Jeanne Costello. Here is what they had to say:

Meg Honey

1. What courses do you teach?

AP European History and United States History

2. What is your past experience before coming to Northgate?

I taught at Northgate previously, from 2012-2018, then    served as the Humanities Director of Professional Learning for an educational publishing company and am now back home!  

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff?

I love Northgate. I am a proud alumna (Class of 1997) and have worked at Northgate off and on since 2002. I’ve been a swim coach, water polo coach, teacher, WASC Coordinator, and AP instructional lead. I feel very lucky to be back teaching in my community!

4. Describe your experience so far.

It has been GREAT! I am so happy to be back with the colleagues who I love and have really enjoyed getting to know my amazing students. Also, the HOCO Teacher Lip Sync was absolutely epic this year.

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

I hope that my students have a great year exploring history and developing the skills necessary to be citizen leaders. I want to ensure that our time together is meaningful, engaging, inspiring, informative, and fun! 

6. What is something interesting about you or your background you would like to share?

I am a longtime swimmer and have competed in the Escape from Alcatraz race twice…it was REALLY cold!

Matthew Biundo

1. What courses do you teach?

English III

2. What is your past experience before coming to Northgate?

This is my 4th year teaching. Last year I taught 6th grade at Foothill. Before that, I taught English courses at Cal State East Bay.

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff?

I’ve always wanted to teach at Northgate. I graduated from Northgate myself, so once I decided to get into teaching, this was my top choice.

4. Describe your experience so far.

I’ve loved it so far. The students, staff, and admin are all very friendly and have given me a warm welcome. I’m lucky to be in such a great environment.

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

Goal #1: help all of my students succeed by becoming better writers and critical thinkers. 

Goal #2: somehow put a window in my classroom.

Dr. Wanda Clemmons

1. What courses do you teach?

Academic Success

2. What is your past experience before coming to Northgate?

Served as a principal in a private school, a special education teacher for 20 years in Los Angeles and director for a non-profit organization serving underserved communities.

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff?

I had a major life event when my husband of 45 years passed away. I decided that I would continue my great passion in life- teaching students. I applied to several schools but Northgate was my destiny!

4. Describe your experience so far. 

It has been wonderful! The administration, faculty, and staff have all been supportive and welcoming.

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

I have experienced and achieved so many of my professional goals, therefore my main goal is to make a positive impact on students’ academics and life in general.

6. What is something interesting about you or your background you would like to share?

I am renovating a 10-acre resort in Sequoia National Forest for a STEM camp that promotes renewable energy. I also host an Annual Bike Ride and Give-Away in Marina Del Rey, Ca. with my family in honor of my husband’s legacy called “PEDAL HEARTER”. It is held on the last Sunday of February during Heart Awareness Month. We promote a healthy lifestyle that incorporates nutrition and exercise. We give new bikes to children and youth in underserved communities.

Joann Jacobs

1. What courses do you teach?

Ninth grade Living Earth

2. What is your past experience before coming to Northgate?

Many years as an elementary school teacher, raising children and many years teaching high school students for MDUSD.

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff?

I was welcomed by a wonderful friend to Northgate and we have excellent leadership. I am delighted to be a part of a knowledgeable and fun science department that like to dress up.

4. Describe your experience so far.

I have had a wonderful experience with the entire staff at Northgate. Everyone has been welcoming and helpful. The students keep me laughing!

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

I hope to help my freshmen learn how to be high school students who are curious, communicative, and who feel ready to take responsibility for their lives.

6. What is something interesting about you or your background you would like to share?

I was a fishing instructor and I love to look at fish, especially the Mola mola.

Christina Nelson

1. What courses do you teach?

Academic Success.

2. What is your past experience before coming to Northgate?

For the last five years, I taught English, Math, History, and Science in a self-contained classroom at Pine Hollow Middle School. Before that, I worked as an in-home behavioral therapist and a teacher aide at Spectrum Center Schools and Programs- working in collaborative classrooms both at Sequoia Middle and here at Northgate in 2012/13!

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff?

I am a Northgate alumni and was very excited at the opportunity to teach in the community I grew up in. 

4. Describe your experience so far.

Fantastic! The staff at Northgate have been very welcoming and supportive. I have to say it is a bit surreal having colleagues that were formally my teachers, but it is great to be working alongside them. Also, shout out to my students! I am fortunate to be working with such an awesome group of kids and look forward to what the rest of the year has in store!

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

First and foremost, I want to do all I can to help my students find success and achieve their goals- both academically and as they prepare for life after high school. For myself- I am a lifelong learner through and through, and every year I hope to improve my skills as an educator as there is always room to grow.

6. What is something interesting about you or your background you would like to share? 

I love to bowl and own three custom bowling balls. I was in a bowling league one summer a few years back that placed first and got to compete in the league championship at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada….I bowled horribly there, but it was a great time! 

Jeanne Costello

Interview by Sahara Dixit

1. What courses do you teach? I teach Algebra II.

2. What is your past educational or professional experience? My most recent teaching position was at Ygnacio Valley High School for 5 years.

3. What made you want to be a part of the Northgate staff? I really like the Northgate community: the parents, the kids, and the staff. Things run very smoothly at this school.

4. Describe your experience so far. It’s been great! I really like the kids. They are kind, funny, and willing to work hard. The teachers have been welcoming and willing to help and share ideas.

5. What goals do you hope to achieve this year? Some students think they can’t do math. I like to work with these students to get them to realize anyone can do math with some hard work and persistence. I want my students to be engaged and have some fun too!

6. What is something interesting you would like to share? I have taught math for over 30 years. I like to be active outside of the classroom. I do yoga and do a lot of walking.

Jeanne Costello

This article will be updated to include a welcome to math teacher Jeanne Costello.