Rachel received her Bachelors degree in Cell Biology and Biochemistry from UCSD in 1989 and worked at a pharmaceutical company as a chemist for a year before deciding to become a teacher. Rachel began her teaching career at Marston Middle School as a sixth and eighth grade science teacher. Rachel was selected as an ASCB research fellow as a first year teacher and worked in the research lab of Velia Fowler at The Scripps Research Institute. She developed lessons for the sixth grade science program that integrated an interdisciplinary approach in science teaching. In the middle of her second year, Rachel was offered a teaching position at Clairemont High School where she stepped into the AP Biology program in mid-year. While at Clairemont High, Rachel was selected to attend the DNA learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor. Rachel and her husband, Howard (also a science teacher at LJHS) and their two boys, Joe and Ari moved to Portugal for two years from 1996-1998. In Portugal, Rachel taught a variety of science courses. Upon her return Rachel took a position at Scripps Ranch High School where she taught AP Biology and Biology for four years. While at Scripps Ranch, Rachel won the Amgen Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 2002. Rachel came to La Jolla High School in the fall of 2002 and has been teaching AP and Advanced biology since then. While at LJHS, Rachel completed a Master’s in Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2008. She was selected to attend MIT for the Science and Engineering for Teachers (SEPT) program in 2009. She has been a workshop consultant for the College Board and a table leader and reader for the AP* Biology exam since 2000. Last year Rachel, along with teacher Aaron Quesnell started a Biomedical Pathway, offering the first two courses in a 4 course series (PBS and HBS). This year Mrs. Tenenbaum has added the third class Medical Interventions. It is an exciting year to come!