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Instructors

Session One & Three Instructors

Brett Guisti

Brett Guisti earned a BS in physics and an MS in technology, both from Brigham Young University. He started his college career studying computer engineering but found he was more interested in the big questions that physics asks (and frustrated with out of place commas in his code). Brett has been teaching for 20 years, including 15 years at the Davidson Academy. He has taught a variety of physics and technology related courses over the years including engineering, robotics, astronomy, philosophy of science, quantum mechanics, AP physics, and several different permutations of introductory physics. He loves the curiosity of the students in the Young Scholar program and looks forward to working with them this summer.

Julie Dillard

Julie Dillard is a nationally board-certified teacher-librarian and a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has extensive experience with facilitating creative writing and literature courses, including her time teaching students at the Davidson Academy. Currently a full-time librarian, Julie loves reading and talking about fabulous books, teaching information and digital literacy lessons, and collaborating with colleagues across disciplines to provide engaging and resource-rich instruction. She enjoys traveling, trying out new recipes, playing trivia games, and doting on Benny, the world’s sweetest golden retriever.

Callie McCartney

Callie has been teaching math, physics, engineering, and computer science for 14 years.  She loves the STEM fields because combining theory, project design, and real-world action is truly fun and meaningful.  She has a master’s in mechanical engineering from UNR with research in using technology to scale engineering education for the purpose of doing more hands-on learning in smaller groups.  Computer science has been her favorite courses to teach over the years as they are so creative, fun, and applicable to everyday life; there is always a fun project or discussion to be had or an interesting problem to solve.

Session Two & Four Instructors

Daniel Ferrari

Daniel is a Reno native and has spent his whole life living in the Reno/Tahoe area. He graduated from UNR with his degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. Currently, Daniel is a math teacher at the Davidson Academy. He has been teaching for eleven years and has been at Davidson for the past five years. In addition to teaching math, Daniel is also the coach for the Davidson Academy’s Speech and Debate team and a former competitor himself. He has a passion for learning and knowledge that he attempts to pass on to his students, and Daniel loves what he does. 

Lauren Griffin

Lauren has always enjoyed learning about the humanities, and this has translated into the joy of teaching the humanities. She has a BA with a dual major in Political Science and History and an MA in Teaching Secondary Social Studies. Lauren has taught in Vermont, Minnesota, New Zealand, and at UNR in the College of Education and the Core Humanities program. This is her eighth year at the Davidson Academy. She has taught Patterns in Ancient & Modern History, Art: Drawing & Painting, History of the U.S., Principles of American Government, and Understanding the Post 9/11 World. This year, Lauren is teaching Principles of American Government and Economics and Understanding the Post 9/11 World.

Callie McCartney

Callie has been teaching math, physics, engineering, and computer science for 14 years.  She loves the STEM fields because combining theory, project design, and real-world action is truly fun and meaningful.  She has a master’s in mechanical engineering from UNR with research in using technology to scale engineering education for the purpose of doing more hands-on learning in smaller groups.  Computer science has been her favorite courses to teach over the years as they are so creative, fun, and applicable to everyday life; there is always a fun project or discussion to be had or an interesting problem to solve.