Name: Jenny Krnich

Subject Area and Classes: World History & US History

What do you like about Northgate?

Students and staff are so kind and welcoming!

What did you do before coming to Northgate?

I taught for eight years at Clayton Valley.

What made you want to teach?

I can’t remember even wanting to do anything else!

What do you like most about the subject you teach?

I love making connections to modern life through studying history!

What kind of impact would you like to have on Northgate and its students?

I’d love to be able to make Northgate a place where students know me as a supportive and positive presence.

What do you like to do outside of school?

Read, learn to cook, travel, spend time with my husband.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I can clap one-handed.

Any message to the Northgate community?

Thank you for your support- I’m thrilled to be here.

Name: Brian Corbett

Subject Area and Classes: World History & AP World History

What do you like about Northgate?

The staff and students have made me feel very welcome. I also like that Trader Joe’s is now on my way home each day.

What did you do before coming to Northgate?

I taught for six years at Clayton Valley, three years at El Dorado Middle School, and was an accountant for two years before that.

What made you want to teach?

I wanted to invest my energy and time into a meaningful career.

What do you like most about the subject you teach?

I love that it makes the world more interesting to students and helps them understand how we got here.

What do you like to do outside of school?

Hang out with my family (2 kids: Ellie 2 ½ years, Luke 3 months), tennis, fishing.

What is an interesting fact about you?

My wife had English and Economics in the same room that I teach in when she attended NHS.

Any message to the Northgate community?

I am excited to be a part of the NHS community.

Name: Amber Lineweaver

Subject Area and Classes: English II, English III Threads, Yearbook

What do you like about Northgate? 

The students are so respectful and polite.  I’ve never heard so many “thank you’s” in one day.

What did you do before coming to Northgate?

I taught at Clayton Valley for 23 years.

What made you want to teach?

I love the freedom I have to create fun, meaningful lessons and activities that help students succeed. 

What do you like most about the subject you teach?

I love literature and reading.  It is a pastime or hobby that brings so much joy and can be practiced by anyone, anytime.   

What kind of impact would you like to have on Northgate and its students?

I want to help Northgate students achieve all that they wish to achieve and to feel better about themselves and their potential after they leave my class.

What do you like to do outside of school?

 I teach yoga and fitness classes.  I’m also an avid scrapbooker.  

What is an interesting fact about you?

 I have over 30 nieces and nephews.

Any message to the Northgate community?

Thank you for welcoming me into your wonderful community!  I look forward to spending the rest of my career at Northgate.  

Name: Leanne De Bella

Subject Area and Classes: English I and English II

What do you like about Northgate? 

 I like how friendly the staff and students have been. I have gotten smiles and hellos everyday that I walk through the halls. 

What did you do before coming to Northgate?

I worked at Mount Diablo High School for two years and taught 9th, 11th, and 12th grade English as well as yearbook and Introduction to Film Studies; I was also a class adviser. 

What made you want to teach?

I became a teacher to be a positive role model and make an impact on young people’s lives. I had English teachers who changed my life through literature and who taught me how to be an over all well rounded person; I want to do the same for others. 

What do you like most about the subject you teach?

I love that when you read a text, there can be different interpretations of the meaning. I also love being able to relate to the characters and their experiences or experience important life lessons through the characters’ eyes. 

What kind of impact would you like to have on Northgate and its students?

I would like to teach my students how to balance fun with education and live in the now. There has to be some humor thrown into the mixture or else people start of loose sight of what is important and that is gaining an education AND taking in all of the experiences and lessons that come with being in high school.  

What do you like to do outside of school?

My favorite things to do outside of school include sleeping, spending time with my dog, and going on adventures with my family. 

What is an interesting fact about you?

I can wiggle my ears.

Any message to the Northgate community?

Thank you for welcoming me to your community. I look forward to working with my students, their parents, and the wonderful teachers at Northgate. I cannot wait to get to know all of you and make a difference on campus.