Scott Grant
Mr. Grant began teaching for the CHOICE program in 2024. He hails from the state of Maine and, in pursuit of education and adventure, moved to Alaska in 2011. Grant studied creative writing and philosophy at the University of Alaska Southeast. He received a Bachelor's in Arts and English in 2015 before completing his Master's in Arts and Teaching the following year. Mr. Grant is passionate about the English language and works hard to build positive relationships that lead to student success.
Mr. Grant is also the resident Dungeon Master and hosts many gaming-related clubs ranging from Chess to Dungeons and Dragons. When he’s not running clubs or spending time with his family, you can also find him struggling to save par at the local Aant'iyeik Disc Golf course.

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 over 25 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 seven-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 has been teaching since 2001.  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 JDHS in 2012.  Then in 2018 Miss Thompson started working in the CHOICE Program.  She enjoys spending her free time organizing, hiking, traveling, cooking, reading, and watching too much TV. 

CHOICE Para - Vacant

Jennifer Knaggs
​Ms. Knaggs, our current JDHS School Counselor for last names A-G, 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 ever since.  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 cats and Diet Coke! 

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.

Kristi Sycks

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.