CHOICE English - Vacant

Lara Dzinich
Ms. Dzinich has been teaching science in the CHOICE Program since 2005. She spent ten years prior to becoming a teacher as a field biologist in Alaska.  Researching harbor seals, sea lions, spotted seals, and walrus throughout Alaska has added to her placed-based teaching approach in the classroom. She is currently teaching Physical Science, Biology, and Marine Science to students in the CHOICE Program at JDHS. She enjoys working on a team of teachers with students that are part of a smaller community within the larger school setting.  In her spare time, Ms. Dzinich spends many summer hours hiking, boating, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Lexie Razor
Ms. Razor began teaching in the CHOICE program in 2013.  She has been teaching high school math for 24 years, in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Juneau.  Ms. Razor has two sons and a cat (Shadow).  She is the Varsity Softball Coach, Sophomore Class Advisor, and Crimson Club Advisor.  She loves to laugh and play games in school.  She is also an avid spirit week dresser/organizer.  In addition to loving school, she loves to travel!

Bonnie Shanley
Mrs. Shanley has been teaching history and English in CHOICE since 2007.  She previously taught in Kalskag, a village on the Kuskokwim River, for three years.  She loves her job because she is able to teach the same small group of students two years in a row.  When she's not at JDHS, Mrs. Shanley is probably at home experimenting with new grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free recipes.  She and her husband are in love with their six-year-old son and enjoy showing him and their standard poodle the great outdoors--especially the family's Taku River cabin.

Michele Thompson
Miss Thompson is in her 23rd year of teaching.  Her first 5 years were spent teaching social studies and special education in Tuluksak, a village in Western Alaska on the Kuskokwim River.  In 2006 Miss Thompson moved to Juneau where she taught special education at Floyd Dryden Middle school before moving to Juneau-Douglas High School a few years ago.  This is Miss Thompson’s 6th year working with the CHOICE Program.  She enjoys spending her free time hiking, dog walking, cooking, reading, and watching too much TV.

CHOICE Para - Vacant

Jennifer Knaggs
Ms. Knaggs, our current JDHS School Counselor for last names A-K, arrived in Juneau in 2007 to work with the CHOICE program as the Americorps member.  She liked CHOICE so much that she stayed with our program for another school year.  Two years with CHOICE meant she knew the program really well and tried to check in with our students as often as she could.  After her time working directly with CHOICE, Ms. Knaggs moved over to the JDHS Counseling Office and has been there for the past 14 years!  Ms. Knaggs grew up in West Virginia.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in International Studies from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA (2006) and her Master of Education in Counselor Education from University of Alaska Anchorage (2014). Ms. Knaggs also loves her two cats, Dustin the Cat and Ghost Kitty.  Be prepared for cat pictures!

Natalia Bucher
Ms. Bucher, our new JDHS School Counselor for names L-Z, arrived in Juneau in January 2020 to work as a child and adolescent therapist.  Ms. Bucher has lived in various places throughout the lower 48, before relocating to Juneau.  She grew up in Colorado and has been in education since 2011 as both a teacher and a school counselor.  Ms. Bucher earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Education from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX (2011) and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA (2015).  Ms. Bucher loves her dog, Breezie, a Boston Terrier, camping, hiking, and anything agriculture related.  Ms. Bucher also enjoys laughing and getting to know others.

Paula Casperson
Mrs. Casperson has been at JDHS since 1997.  She taught social studies and then moved into her roles as Assistant Principal and now Principal.  She loves being a Crimson Bear and appreciates the CHOICE students and teachers for always letting her come into their classes.  Especially if there is food.