STARS Instructors

Brett Guisti

Brett Guisti earned a BS in physics and an MS in technology, both from Brigham Young University. He started out his college career studying computer engineering but found he was more interested in the big questions that physics asks (and frustrated with out of place commas in his code). Brett has been teaching for 18 years, including 13 years at the Davidson Academy. He has taught a variety of physics and technology related courses over the years including engineering, robotics, astronomy, philosophy of science, quantum mechanics, AP physics, and several different permutations of introductory physics. He loves the curiosity of the students in the Young Scholar program and looks forward to working with them this summer.

Diana Martin

Diana Martin is a 30-year veteran mathematics instructor who has taught math in elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as special programs for teachers. She is currently an instructor at the Davidson Academy in Reno. Diana specializes in math applications at all levels and adapting courses to fit various populations. She has even taught math at a school for plumbers! She is excited to be teaching in the innovative environment at Davidson, and looks forward to a summer with STARS!

Dr. Ian De Jong

Dr. Ian has been reading, learning about reading, reading about reading, writing about reading, and teaching reading for a long time. After teaching at the college level for nearly ten years, he moved to the Davidson Academy in 2019, and has enjoyed every minute of his tenure there. In addition to literature- and writing-focused classes, he’s taught podcasting, improv, and theater. He likes teaching for STARS because students have ideas that are endlessly surprising – STARS students are always thinking creatively about the problems in front of them.