Part two of a three part series profiling teachers new to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Next week the Sun will profile teachers from Woodland Star Charter School and Sonoma Charter School.
New talent, new hopes and enthusiasm unite these teachers new to Sonoma Valley High School and Creekside High School. The love and dedication to students they all profess make them welcome additions to the community.
Sonoma Valley
High School
Jennifer Panicacci
“I love teenagers. I love teaching writing, imparting a love of reading, I just love this school.”
Jennifer Panicacci, of San Rafael, is a new freshman and junior English teacher at Sonoma Valley High School. She is a 1986 graduate of Chapman University, with a B.A. in English. She received her secondary credential at San Francisco State University in 1989. She taught English and history at the high school last year and has taught for three years at Redwood High School in Marin County. Prior to that, she taught humanities and freshman English at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael.
“The happiest thing about being here is working with an awesome staff at the high school and just seeing all those kids and being able to influence them and be in their lives for a year.
Sophie Warin
“It seems like a very welcoming school district. I really enjoyed meeting some of my colleagues.”
Sophie Warin, of Petaluma, is the new French and Spanish teacher at Sonoma Valley High School. Prior to this year, she taught Spanish at Piner High School in Santa Rosa. She said she is happy to be teaching French because she is French, herself. She is a graduate of Sonoma State University with a BA in Spanish in 2002. She received her credential at Sonoma State University in 2007.
Erica Chapin
“When I was looking for a job, I thought this was perfect.”
Erica Chapin, of Santa Rosa, is the new living skills teacher at Sonoma Valley High School. Chapin graduated from Montana State University in Health and Human Development and received her credential from Sonoma State University in Family and Consumer Science, level one, Special Education. She last taught health and culinary arts at Rincon High School in Santa Rosa. She is happy to be teaching in the district because she has heard “how great the Sonoma School district is and how the teachers are really friendly.”
Creekside High School
Justin Hollander
“My main passion is to be inspirational–to help, and be useful.”
Justin Hollander, of Rohnert Park, just graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.A. in history, a B.A. in Global Studies – International Economic Development with a minor in German, and an Intern Credential. He said he is not sure what he will teach at Creekside High School. “Probably history or English.” The best thing about getting a job here, he said, laughing, “is dental insurance!”
