Curriculum Facilitators

Suzy Kipp has more than 20 years of experience as a secondary English teacher and has taught all levels including English Learners and Honors classes.  Although she has taught in three different states, the majority of her experience is in the South Bay teaching first in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and currently in the Redondo Beach Unified School District.  For over 10 years, she has been the lead content teacher in a co-taught classroom environment utilizing Universal Design for Learning strategies to reach all students.  Suzy has been a mentor with the South Bay Induction Program for 5 years, mentoring multiple candidates, and working to realign the program to the needs of mentors and candidates.

Diane Kridner-Protzmann is a dedicated educator with over fifteen years of experience working with high school students as an English teacher, instructional leader, mentor, and program coordinator at a National AVID Demonstration School. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Alternative Education Program at Mira Costa High School, where she provides personalized academic support to students earning credits in a non-traditional learning environment. In addition to her work at Mira Costa, Diane is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA), representing Region 8—which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands. In this role, she advocates for innovative educational practices and supports campuses committed to alternative learning pathways. Diane is deeply committed to educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and lifelong learning. Her passion for mentoring new teachers stems from these core values and a belief in fostering the next generation of educators. When she’s not working, Diane enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog, Phineas, or relaxing outdoors with a book.

Emily Mellquist is a veteran mathematics teacher at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, where she teaches Precalculus and Aerospace Engineering. She has served as an induction mentor and contributed to district efforts in secondary mathematics assessment and placement. Emily’s work centers on supporting teachers and helping students access meaningful mathematics pathways. She values collaboration and the professional communities that make teaching sustainable and rewarding. As she steps into her role with the South Bay Consortium, she looks forward to working alongside mentors and new teachers to strengthen teacher development and student success.