Leadership Team

Co-Founder & Director of Innovation

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Nicole began her career in education serving in the AmeriCorps program and using creative writing to mentor at-risk teens in Seattle.

She then taught English and AVID at Sweetwater High School, just one mile from the U.S. - Mexico border, and later moved to the Bay Area to work as an English and reading teacher, and coordinator of the ninth and tenth grade interdisciplinary teams at Capuchino High School.

She is committed to helping all kids excel in a rigorous learning environment by personalizing the learning experience and emphasizing creativity. Nicole also conducts a summer institute for teachers.

She provides support in the following areas:

Design Lab

Innovation Diploma 

External Innovation Programs

Canvas & PowerSchool Access

Drama Club

Co-Founder & Executive Director

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Ken completed his PhD in administration and policy analysis at Stanford University. As a high school teacher, Ken has held a variety of positions, including: founding coach of a speech and debate team that grew from 15 students to 250 and was number one in Southern California.

He has also served as a technology coordinator, conference champion football coach, a member of the USA Today All-teacher team, and he is a National Board Certified teacher.

While at Stanford, Ken developed a school leadership course and published several articles on school improvement, including: Developing Common Instructional Practice, Watching the Game and Keeping the Promise?

Director of Business Services

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Hanan Holloway graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, and embarked on a twelve-year career in retail as a Northern California buyer for Nordstrom.

After a sabbatical to focus on raising her children, she began a part-time stint at Mills High School where d.tech was located during its founding year. She became intrigued by the program, kindness and energy of the students and staff and related strongly as the mother of highschoolers herself.

As a result, she joined d.tech and is the very full-time Director of Business Services, managing development, human resources, billing, and facilities.

Director of Student Services

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Ashley Wong's passion for inclusive learning and self-direction led her to a career in Special Education. Currently pursuing her doctorate at USC and holding a Master's degree, she gained diverse experience teaching students with various needs in middle and high schools. Her expertise spans Resource Support, Co-taught English, and Special Day Classes for math and reading intervention.

Now serving as the Director of Student Services, Ashley holds an Administrative Credential and oversees D.tech's Special Education and Counseling department. She is committed to ensuring all students, regardless of ability, can access the general education curriculum. Beyond her administrative role, Ashley dedicates herself to providing leadership and training to teachers, fostering inclusive and diverse learning experiences for every student.

I provide support in the following areas:

Special Education Department

Counseling Department

Mental Health Program

Credit Recovery, Independent Study, and Other Special Programs

Liaison to San Mateo County Office of Education SELPA and Other Community Agencies

School Director

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Margarita is a Bay Area native who has worked in local schools and districts for 27 years. She began her career at Woodside High School, teaching history at all levels, specializing in teaching English learners. She also taught AVID before transitioning into coordinating the program for several years.

Margarita is committed to building systems that support educational equity and social justice in schools. She has carried this vision in her leadership roles at the site and central office level for the past 19 years. 

Margarita earned a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California. She is a first-generation, bilingual/bicultural Latin/x educator whose mission is to support ALL students in reaching their highest potential.

Associate Director

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Jacky grew up in South Portland, Maine and moved to California to attend the University of California, Irvine. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching, teaching credentials in English Language Arts and Social Science and an Administrative Services credential. She has taught ELD, English, and Social Studies in both middle and high school settings. Jacky has also worked with the San Mateo County Office of Education as an induction (new teacher) coach. 

She prioritizes creating positive, long-lasting relationships with families and fostering safe, supportive learning environments. A strong advocate for social-emotional learning and emotional intelligence, Jacky is trained in the RULER approach developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence under Dr. Marc Brackett. She has also championed initiatives that support student well-being and mental health, including piloting a therapy dog program.

She is passionate about leading with empathy, building strong community connections and cultivating a positive school culture and climate. 

She provides support in the following areas:

Canvas and PowerSchool access

Grade reporting and CBL

Master schedule, A-g course approvals and course offerings

New staff support

Student life (d.leadership, dances, field trips, festivals, etc.) 

Departments: social science and science

Grade levels: 11 and 12

 Associate Director

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Dr. Marbella Alfonzo has been in the field of education for over twenty-five years and has been with Design Tech High School since 2023. At d.tech, she has worn many different hats, as a Founding School Director, Engagement Specialist, and even as the Athletic Director. Prior to d.tech, she served in many different positions, including Principal, Assistant Principal, college instructor, and high school teacher. 

Dr. Alfonzo earned a Doctorate Degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching and Learning from Argosy University-Sarasota. She also earned a Master's in Educational Leadership and TESL from Lynn University, a Master of Arts in Spanish and French from Saint Louis University (SLU), as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and French from SLU. She is an advocate for justice in education and earned a certificate from Duke University in Activism and Social Movements, has taken several courses through Harvard Graduate School of Education pertaining to Women's History, Racial Justice, and Inclusive Practices, and has a Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) from the Harvard School of Business and Harvard School of Education. 

Dr. Alfonzo found her passion in design thinking and earned a Certificate from University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign in Understanding the Value of Human-Centered Design. Her interests also led her to earn a Certificate from Google in Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design. 

Dr. Alfonzo will be supporting our 9th and 10th grade students this year and is also our Intersession Director.