Allen Ford (Plant Manager)

Q: What is your job as a plant manager?
A: My job as a plant manager is to make sure that the schools are clean and secure and that the classrooms are as clean as possible.  I make sure that when the students and staff come here, it’s a safe environment for them.

Q: What do you plan to do to further improve the school?
A: My plan to improve the school is to fix everything that may be broken, to replace anything that’s obsolete and out-dated and to bring them up-to-date with the current district policy.
Q: How’s the school been so far?
A: So far, I find it very interesting. I think that the students want to be here and that’s a good thing. They’re respectful.
Q: What made you interested in working in DPMHS?
A: The interest in working at Daniel Pearl, in all honesty, is ‘cause it’s closer to my house and needing the change from working with elementary-sized children to the older. I think that I have a little bit more to offer at this school.
Q: Is the school how you expected it to be?
A: I had no expectations at this school when I came, but I’m pleased.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests?
A: I enjoy music. I do sing. I used to sing for my elementary school children all the time… I love the piano… I like food and I love to eat. I’m also a great cook.

Mark Middlebrook (Video/Broadcasting/Photography Teacher)

Q:  For how long have you been teaching?
A: I’ve been teaching for 14 years.
Q: What other schools or grade levels have you thought before?
A: I taught in Cleveland and the most recent was Miguel Contreras.
Q:  Have you always taught video and broadcasting or did you teach other subjects as well?
A: Actually, no. I’ve tried a lot of different subjects… I was a substitute teacher so I taught everything. I taught a lot of film and video back when I was a sub. Then I’ve been teaching graphic design for the last five years.
Q: What made you interested in working in DPMHS?
A: It’s a great reputation.
Q: How do you like the school so far?
A: It’s the best. Everyone’s been warm and friendly and everybody seems to want to be the best they can be.
Q: Any advice you want to share with the students?
A: Just keep being who you are, keep improving and getting better… Live your life with a lot of heart.

Robin Share (English Teacher)

Q: For how long have you been teaching?
A: I’ve been teaching for 25 years.
Q: What college did you graduate from?
A: I graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Q:  What was your major in college?
A: American Study and Theater.
Q: What other schools or grade levels have you thought before?
A: Venice Performing Arts High School. I always taught high school students.
Q: Have you thought anything besides English?
A: I also taught theater.
Q: What made you interested to work in DPMHS?
A: It is a small school so it’s easier to get to know the students.
Q: How do you like the school so far?
A: Faculties are really friendly. Students are encouraging and nice. It is really well-organized. Students are so creative.
Q: What do you like the best about teaching?
A: Everyday is different. There is a lot to read, write and talk about.

Mabel Wong (Science Teacher)

Q: For how long you have been teaching?
A: I started in the district in 2000 but I took a two-year break. So this is my 11th year.
Q: Where have you taught before and what subjects?
A: I’ve always been a science teacher. I taught middle school in Luther Burbank as well as the highly-gifted magnet in North Hollywood High School.
Q: What made you interested in working in DPMHS?
A: Frankly, I like the lifetime aspect of it because I have a 2-year-old and it was hard to make a decision to come back to work. Another reason is the namesake of the school. I was very moved by the story of Daniel Pearl. The connection of the Pearl family to the school is very inspiring.
Q: How do you like the school so far?
A: I love it. It’s great. The students are wonderful. I love the small aspect of it. It feels very intimate, like everybody knows everybody. Everybody’s really helpful and friendly. I think most of the students seem very disciplined and dedicated.
Q: What are your best interests or hobbies?
A: I love making stuff. Everyday I try to put a little bit of time into making something. I love making jewelry.

Compiled by Staff Writers Saba Mahmodi and Sheena Gonzalez