Meet the Team
Laura Spencer, EdD
Executive Director,
Innovation & Design

Laura Photo

Dr. Spencer is proud to lead Del Mar’s Design Engineer team. A former classroom teacher, Laura believes in providing all students with opportunities to solve complex, meaningful problems. Laura also served as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Santee School District, and as the Educational Technology and IT Director for Lakeside Union School District. Prior to her career in education, she was in the United States Army, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.

Degrees/Certifications 

B.A. English Literature/Writing, SUNY Potsdam
M.A. Teaching, National University
M.S. in Educational Leadership
ED.D in Educational Leadership and Administration, Alliant University
Administrative Services Clear Credential
CLAD certificate

Nueva School Design Thinking Institute
Project Zero, Harvard University
Top Tech Exec Exemplary Honoree Award
CFF Innovative Educator Award
Microsoft Innovative Educator
Paula Intravaia
Design Engineer
Carmel Del Mar, Del Mar Hills,
Sage Canyon, Sycamore Ridge

Paula

Influenced by past innovative school experiences as a student in San Diego’s East County and informed by future focused educational thinkers and organizations around the globe, Paula Intravaia has aspired to bring joyful and meaningful learning to the students in DMUSD as a teacher of Art, Kindergarten, 4th Grade, and currently as a Design Engineer.

Degrees/Certifications

B.A. Fine Arts, San Diego State University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential & Single Subject in Art, National University 
CLAD certificate

Americorp Fellow
Project Zero Summer Institute, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Nueva School Design Thinking Institute

Educator in the DMUSD since 1997

Sarah Raskin
Design Engineer
Ashley Falls, Del Mar Hills (6th), Del Mar Heights,
Ocean Air, Torrey Hills


Through her work as a classroom teacher in the Del Mar Union School District at both Sage Canyon and Carmel Del Mar, as well as her experience serving in various roles as a K-12 administrator, Sarah Raskin strives to collaborate with administrators, teachers, and community stakeholders to ignite the inner genius within each student and embrace the belief that we can all make a difference. With the goal of bringing our students from “NOW to WOW,” Sarah is excited to serve as a Design Engineer and guide students in using the Design Thinking process to solve human-centered, complex, and real-world problems.

Degrees/Certifications 

B.A. in English and Politics, Willamette University
M.A.T with focus on K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Willamette University
ELDA Graduate, University of San Diego
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Administrative Services Clear Credential
CLAD certificate

Nueva School Design Thinking Institute
Phil Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teaching Academy (STEM Sciences)
Leading Edge Certified (Blended and Online Learning Instruction)