Meet Our Teachers & Staff

Mrs. McCord has been at DMP since 1990. She graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in economics. She earned her teaching credential from University of San Diego. She has taught kindergarten, second, third and sixth grades at Del Mar Pines. Marci and her husband have a daughter and a son who graduated from Del Mar Pines.

Mrs. Linxwiler has 17 years of experience in Academic Administration. Before stepping into the world of education, Mrs. Linxwiler spent some time in the wine and retail industries, areas she still has a keen interest in as a consumer! Mrs. Linxwiler and her husband Eric spend their free time traveling to visit their two adult children who live out of state, and exploring all this amazing world has to offer.

Mr. McCord attended Del Mar Pines as a student from kindergarten through sixth grade. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a psychology minor from Concordia University Irvine. He then worked in sales in Orange County for four years before returning to DMP, which has always been his second home. He is excited to be the Admissions Coordinator, Administration Assistant, and the teacher for 6th grade science. Outside of work, he loves playing tennis, traveling, and his two dogs, Louis and Poppi.

Mrs. Murphy began working at DMP in 2002. She was the recipient of a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in child psychology from San Francisco State University. She and her husband have three daughters. All of her daughters are graduates from Del Mar Pines School.

Mrs. Poyhonen started at DMP in 2005. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in special education, earned an MBA from the University of New Orleans, and completed post­graduate work in education at Tulane University. She began her teaching career in 1980, in addition to pursuing a career in corporate sales and marketing. Mrs. Poyhonen and her husband have two sons who graduated from Del Mar Pines.

Mrs. White joined Del Mar Pines in 2018 She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Cultural Literature and the Arts and a minor in education from the University of Washington. She also has a Master Degree in education. Prior to coming to Del Mar Pines, Mrs. White taught first grade in Washington state. She and her husband, Michael, have two daughters.

Mrs. Morgan is in her 23rd year of teaching and joined Del Mar Pines in 2018.  She previously taught in 4th and 5th grade for five years and is excited to return this year as a 1st grade teacher.  She earned her B.S. in Behavioral Science and M.Ed. in Cross-cultural Teaching from National University in San Diego, along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.  Mrs. Morgan has three children and lives in Carlsbad with her golden retriever Maya.  In her free time she enjoys going to the beach, playing tennis and golf, sketching and painting, and traveling.

Mrs. Hancock has been at DMP since 2012. She has her Bachelors of Arts in liberal studies/sociology from Pt. Loma Nazarene University where she also earned her multiple-subject teaching credential. Prior to coming to Del Mar Pines, Mrs. Hancock taught for several years in the Oceanside School District. She and her husband have two children.

Mrs. Colley began working at DMP in 2013. Mrs. Colley’s credentials include multi-subject teaching credential from National University in San Diego, Paralegal Certificate from University of San Diego, and Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Colley and her husband have two daughters.

Ms. Canzone has worked at DMP from 2000-2004 teaching fourth and fifth grades and returned in 2010 to teach third grade. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and has a master’s degree in education from Mercer University in Atlanta. Ms. Canzone has a daughter who graduated from Del Mar Pines.

Mrs. Cox started at DMP in 2017. She received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Arizona State University. She has taught at Leonardo da Vinci Health and Science Charter School in San Diego since 2012; Holly Drive Leadership Academy San Diego from 2009 – 2012, and was a student teacher in Scottsdale, Arizona. She sets high expectations for herself and her students, and is reflective and enthusiastic about teaching. Allison and her husband have three children and enjoy living in Carmel Valley.

Mr. Kelly started at DMP in 2013. He received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and his teaching credential from the University of North Carolina. He has been a classroom teacher at the third, fourth, and fifth grade level in Washington, DC; Wilmington, North Carolina; and San Diego, California. Before that he was a systems analyst at Merrill Lynch in New York City. Mr. Kelly and his wife enjoy traveling, surfing, hiking, camping and other outdoor sports.

Mrs. Bhave came to DMP during the 2017-2018 school year. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in history from Prune University in India. Prior to coming to DMP, Nirupa worked at Del Mar Hills Nursery School for five years. She is excited to be working with students in a variety of capacities.
She and her husband have two sons.

Mrs. Damodaran earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from U.C. Berkeley, but after
working in business for a short time, she turned to teaching and never looked back. She taught
in New York City private schools while earning a master’s degree in Elementary Education. She
holds teaching credentials in New York, New Jersey, and California. While raising her four
children, Mrs. Damodaran stepped away from full-time teaching. She continued to work as a
substitute teacher and served as board member for a non-profit and as a Court Appointed
Special Advocate for foster children. Since moving back to California five years ago, Mrs.
Damodaran has worked full-time at St. Paul’s Lutheran School and the Evans School, serving as
a second-grade teacher, a fourth-grade history teacher, and a middle-school language arts and
writing teacher. When she is not in the classroom, Mrs. Damodaran enjoys hiking, biking,
cooking, and time with her family--especially her two grandchildren.

Mr. Fortin began working at DMP in 2014. He received his Masters of Arts in teaching, and has a Dual Credential in multi-subjects and special education from Point Loma Nazarene University. He grew up in Carlsbad, and continues to live there with his wife. He taughtP.E. at La Costa Heights Elementary School to over 750 children in grades K – 6. Mr. Fortin serves as a role model through extensive participation in fitness activities and noncompetitive activities with a focus on sportsmanship, physical strength, endurance and flexibility. Mr Fortin and his wife are the proud parents of triplets and a younger daughter.

Ms. Lewis joined DMP in 2020 and serves as the Upper Grade Writing Teacher and the Social Media and Yearbook Coordinator. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico, her MFA in Creative Writing and Poetry from Naropa University, and also holds a Montessori teaching credential. She owns Mariposa Yoga & The Creative Arts, a children’s yoga business. Her writing has appeared in Sage Woman Magazine, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Poetry Annual, and various other publications. Her short memoir was featured in the International Memoir Showcase and published in Shaking the Tree, Vol. 6 (2025). She was recognized as Author of the Month at Pacific Highlands Library in August 2025. In her free time, Ms. Lewis enjoys writing, cooking, yoga, and floral arranging.

Mr. Spurgiesz joined DMP in 2021. He taught general music education classes at All Hallows Catholic School and St Mary’s School for three years. He is the owner of Music Pillars which is an afterschool music and theater school. Mr. Spurgiesz has a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He is also a professional pianist. He is married and has four children.

Mr. Sanchez joined DMP in 2020. He previously taught photography, video/film, and digital media at Torrey Pines High School for 4 years and was a substitute teacher in various elementary schools for 5 years. He is certified in Google, Adobe Photoshop and Premiere. He has an excellent technology background and also directed live evening newscasts for KUSI-TV News for 12 years. Mr. Sanchez has a double major in Economics and Visual Arts Media, as well as a minor in Science and Technology from University of California, San Diego. He also has a degree in Educational and Instructional Technology from National University in San Diego. He enjoys photography, video editing and is a licensed pilot.

Mrs. Robinson joined Del Mar Pines in 2005. Although she has been a resident of San Diego for the majority of her adult life, her background includes residency in three continents. Her education includes training received in British boarding schools and Francis Parker High School, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in communication and visual arts from University of California at San Diego, and a master’s degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State University. She is the founder of ASK, an image and protocol consulting firm, a member of NAEA, and a graphic arts designer. Mrs. Robinson and her husband have one son.

Mrs.V joined DMP in the Spring of 2025. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology in December of 2020 and spent her senior year of college volunteering for a crisis hotline and interning as a research assistant. Prior to coming to Del Mar Pines she worked as a substitute teacher for Sweetwater Union High School District. She enjoys surfing, yoga, writing and film.

Mr. G just joined our faculty this semester. He graduated from University of Nevada Reno with a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Science. He is currently applying to master programs in school counseling with the hope of resuming his studies starting Fall 2026. He has worked in childcare during his undergraduate programs and has achieved about 2 and a half years of childcare experience.

Mrs. Peachy excitedly joined DMP in 2024. She has experience teaching all grades K - 8th. Prior to joining DMP she taught in the Oceanside Unified School District. She received her BA and teaching credential from SDSU and Master’s Degree in Education from Chapman University. Mrs. Peachy and her husband enjoy live music, theater performances, traveling, and outdoor adventures.

Dr. Lourdes Perez-Williams has been consulting at DMP since 2000. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Spanish from Rutgers University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She has been in private practice since 1985, and is licensed as a Psychologist, and Marriage, Family and Child counselor in the State of California. Dr. Perez-Williams is a child development expert who specializes in working with children and their family members. She is a consultant to private and public schools and works with children of law enforcement professionals. She and her husband’s son graduated from Del Mar Pines and is a graduate of Brown University.