MUSE FACULTY & STAFF

A Southern California native, Emma Jean was beyond thrilled to join the MUSE family this year! With a passion for working with youth and helping others, Emma Jean graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree focused on the intersectionality of Education and Diversity. Emma Jean has now worked in the field of education for over six years and feels lucky to have worked with many wonderful students and families as a teacher, program director, and a mentor. As a teacher, and a Base Harmonizer, Emma Jean’s priority is creating a space safe for students to feel comfortable, collaborative, and curious. Her life’s mission is to create an accessible, equitable, and transformative educational experience for students everywhere. In her free time, Emma Jean enjoys traveling to new places, and spending quality time with her loved ones, especially her dog, Milo!

Karen’s motto is “Life’s a Journey.” Her journey has taken her to live in ten states and the country of Japan. Karen most recently came from Honolulu, Hawaii where she taught at Punahou School on the island of Oahu.

Her experiences have led her to be a life long learner and instructor. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska, her Masters of Science in Education with a Specialization in Educational Technology from National University. Most recently obtaining her CLAD certification from the University of California, San Diego. She is a member of Pi Lamda Theta Honor Society for Educators. She further developed her skill set as a teacher then administrator as a School Improvement Specialist keeping the Blue Valley School District in Kansas, in the top 5% of the Western Consortium of schools. Karen is a true progressive teacher incorporating Inquiry Learning, Project Based Learning, Brain Based Research, Open Mind Set and Design Thinking. Karen encourages her students through Giving, supporting Sustainable Actions, promoting their Passions and exploring their Gifts. Karen adores spending time and traveling with her husband, daughter and extended family members. She enjoys motorcycling riding, scuba diving, traveling, jogging and discovering new Journeys and Adventures.

Donna Jeter has been a teacher for over 13 years and two years teaching virtually. She recently relocated from North Carolina to Colorado and is excited about new adventures that await her! Prior to joining the MUSE team, she taught 3rd-6th grade at a charter Montessori School and then 4th-5th grade at a rural public elementary school on the coast in North Carolina. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner, an avid traveler and reader. Donna loves animals, the outdoors, and most of all, her 5 children and 3 amazing grandbabies! As an educator, she’s passionate about supporting children’s natural curiosity about the world around them, encouraging creativity and outside the box thinking. To Donna, the best part of teaching is developing relationships with students and watching them grow!

Russ was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago and spent a good portion of his adult life in that area.

After majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in economics at MIT, Russ was a materials scientist specializing in microchips and circuit boards. During the stock market bubble, he put his math and economics education to work trading currencies, stocks, and options at the PHLX, CBOE, and AMEX. Russ changed career paths and went into private tutoring because he saw an opportunity to transform math and science education. He has been teaching math and science at all levels for over 10 years. He taught Algebra I at Muse this past year and was instantly attracted to the unique approach of the school. Russ is looking forward to integrating the Muse foundations of seed to table and sustainability in the science program. Russ finally left Chicago in 2012 to fulfill a dream of living in LA with his wife Annie. Together, he and his wife enjoy dog walks, hiking, and bike riding all over Southern California.

Jeffrey started teaching at MUSE in 2015. He is an experienced educator, having taught in private, parochial, and public charter settings since 1996.

Prior to joining MUSE, Jeffrey was a founding teacher and Dean of Academics at a charter school in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and English, and he completed a Masters in the Art of Teaching from the University of Southern California with a focus on teaching History. Jeffrey’s passions include project-based learning, writing, curriculum design, meditation and mindfulness, and fostering community cohesion. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys road trips, camping, live music and theater, reading, writing, gardening and landscaping, and spending time with friends and family.

This is Haven’s first year as MUSE’s dedicated Math Specialist. Haven graduated from Yale College with a B.A. in Economics and a special concentration in Medieval History.

After graduation, Haven transitioned from a career in marketing and analysis into high school math curriculum development. He has since co-authored and taught high school math courses to students in a variety of learning environments. Haven’s expertise includes using mathematics and quantitative social sciences as a means to furthering one’s understanding of her surroundings and passions. Haven’s outside passions include exploring the Santa Monica Mountains, interactive/collaborative story-telling, and game design.