VISUAL &
MEDIA ARTS

High-energy with experience instructing kindergarten through graduate-level students. Special ability to capture and retain students’ attention with enthusiasm. Particularly well-versed in adapting curriculum to fit diverse requirements and student populations by customizing lesson plans to match group and individual needs.

Theo Davies was born, raised and educated in England and relocated to San Diego in 2009, where he now lives with his wife and two sons. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, Film and Drama from the University of Reading in the UK, and a Diploma from the New York Film Academy in London. Theo is a screenwriter, director, producer and Professor of Cinema. Theo was Head of Film Production at Platt College, San Diego between August 2018 and June 2023, when it closed its doors after 43 years. At Platt, Theo taught screenwriting, film production, advanced film production and the film portfolio class. Theo has 23 years’ experience working in the film industry in both London and Los Angeles, working on multiple studio features and dramas for the BBC, ITV and the History Channel. In the last 10 years, Theo has been hired to write 5 feature film scripts and one TV Pilot. Two have been optioned and two are about to go the American Film Market in November. The fifth is 'Wish Man', a biographical drama about the man who created the Make-A-Wish foundation. 'Wish Man' was released theatrically in 15 states in June 2019 and was picked up by Netflix in December 2019, where it streamed for 18 months. It's still streaming on Amazon, Peacock, Apple and a dozen other platforms. It was also sold to 15 territories worldwide. On three occasions to date, Theo has been invited to be a Guest Speaker at UCSD for the American Business students, where he lectures on the subject of ‘Business in Film – Financing, Budgeting and Distribution’. He was also selected as an industry mentor for the Big Apple Film Festival (BAFF), where he has mentored hundreds of aspiring screenwriters on the subject of ‘Selling or Optioning Your First Screenplay’. Theo is also the Founder of the Southern California Screenplay Competition, which is now one of the top online screenplay competitions in the world. Theo has been Head of Cinematic Arts at the San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts since January 2024.

Daniel received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and his Dual Language Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. Daniel is a trained and seasoned art teacher who has worked with students of all ages and skill levels. Daniel is specialized in printmaking and painting but has experience teaching painting, drawing, and graphic arts. Daniel is an experienced printmaker and painter. He has honed his craft in various print shops and binderies. He has been producing and showing his work between San Diego, San Francisco and Scotland. Daniel's interests include creating and collaborating with fellow artists. Daniel plans to bring to the SDSCPA his dedication to arts education and his love of creating. He will also bring a unique bicultural perspective to teaching and the classroom.

Terisa James is a passionate and enthusiastic art educator with a deep commitment to fostering creativity and lifelong learning. She holds a B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts with an emphasis on Arts and Technology from California State University San Marcos. She also earned a credential in Art and a M.A. Ed. with an emphasis on Educational Technology. Shortly after graduation, Terisa’s professional journey began as a graphic designer, where she learned to navigate creative work flow, design as industry and the business of art. After several years as a graphic designer, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish art businesses, including custom ceramic tile design, hand-tooled and painted leather accessories, and vintage and up-cycled fashion boutiques. Before transitioning to teaching, Terisa devoted years to arts enrichment education and community volunteer work, teaching drawing, painting, crafts, and ceramics. These experiences deepened her commitment to guiding students in exploring their creative potential, finding innovative solutions, and embracing the arts as a vital part of lifelong learning. Terisa is dedicated to championing the arts, inspiring the next generation of artists to reach their highest creative potential, and finding joy and meaning in the artistic process.

Don Masse is an artist and educator that has been based in San Diego since 2001. At SDSCPA, Don teachers Mulitmedia Design to students 6-8 and Foundations of Visual Art and Design to 9th graders. Don earned his BFA in Studio Art from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, PA and his MFA in Studio Art from LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After moving to San Diego, he earned his teaching credential from SDSU and recently earned a CCTE credential in Arts, Media, and Entertainment. Don works in a variety of materials and approaches as a professional artist- charcoal drawing, digital illustration, large scale public chalk drawings, and public artworks on walls of buildings around San Diego. This range of work and approach is something that he emphasizes to students as they grow as creatives- that they should be flexible and capable of approaching projects in a variety of ways in order to meet the needs of a wide scope of possible clients. Don has a passion for public artwork because he believes that art experiences should be open to all and not only restricted to the walls inside museums and galleries. In line with this, he has collaborated with numerous muralists in San Diego to bring their work on to the campuses of San Diego Unified Schools. He has also developed and coordinated learning opportunities for school communities on mural making to enhance their campuses and to bring their communities together. Don is also committed to continually growing as an artist and educator. He attends and presents at art education conferences locally, regionally, and nationally. He has served as the keynote speaker and guest artist at teacher conferences in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. He regularly presents for the Art of Education University on a variety of art education topics as well. He always leaves these experiences with new ideas that enhance and improve his ever evolving approaches to teaching. Don aims to provide a rigorous, welcoming learning environment for students in his courses. He incorporates the work of a diverse range of contemporary creatives in his curriculum because he wants all students to feel seen and loved in his curriculum. He also does this because he believes it is important for students to see how current creatives are applying concepts being learned in class to current professional situations, so students better understand the relevance of their course material. Don regularly seeks out exhibit opportunities beyond school spaces, in physical spaces and in publications, for students as he believes these experiences in the real world lift our students up in meaningful, lasting ways.

Nicholas Patton is a San Diego-based artist, graphic designer, illustrator and teacher working with students in grades 8-12 at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Nicholas has developed a passion for printmaking, digital media and traditional fine arts through professional endeavors. With a Bachelor’s of Arts in Art Studio and a Teaching Credential from Humboldt State University, he earned a CCTE Credential in Arts, Media and Entertainment. A focus of Nicholas’s work has been introducing students to the vast array of college and career opportunities available to them in the arts through bringing professionals and their experience into the classroom. He has partnered and collaborated with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Mingei Museum, AIGA and San Diego Repertory Theatre while planning on-campus portfolio review opportunities for students with schools such as Art Center, LCAD, CalArts, RISD, MICA, SFAI, Parsons, Cooper Union and many more. He participated in the first CCTE educator’s instruction of NuVu Studio design curriculum to summer school students from across the district, in addition to hosting his own animation, visual effects and motion graphics summer intensive. Nicholas is actively building upon that curriculum and will soon begin offering new opportunities for 3D animation, VFX and game design to SDSCPA students.

Lori Sokolowski is an innovative educator and creator who believes in the power of artistic expression to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection. With a BFA in Photography, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and an Advanced Certificate in Instructional Design, she brings both artistic expertise and instructional knowledge to her work. Her teaching philosophy centers on student choice, intention, and process, while incorporating Universal Design for Learning to ensure accessibility, equity, and relevance for all learners. Before joining SDSCPA, Lori developed media arts integration across the San Diego Unified School District, taught high school photography in San Marcos, and worked in museum education at the Museum of Photographic Arts. She is passionate about integrating the arts and technology to prepare students with the skills and literacies of today and the future.

Aaron Kurt is a proud alum of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and currently serves as one of the school's Visual Arts instructors. Following graduation from SDSCPA, Aaron earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from California State University, Fullerton with a focused emphasis on digital narrative illustration and concept art. With a strong foundation in both fine arts and digital media, Aaron has built a robust career in the creative industry. Aaron has gained substantial experience as a professional artist through a range of freelance, contract, and in-house positions with independent and AA game development studios. His professional work remains ongoing, allowing him to bring current, real-world insight into the classroom. Passionate about preparing students for creative careers, Aaron is committed to equipping the next generation of artists with the technical and conceptual skills needed to thrive in today's highly competitive and ever evolving creative economy. As an SDSCPA graduate, he brings a deep understanding of the school's unique culture and student perspective making his teaching authentic and purpose driven.

Julia Reyes is excited to join SDSCPA as the new 6th and 7th grade Visual Art teacher. Originally from Mexico City, she moved to the United States at the age of 14. Her passion for teaching began during her high school years, inspired by the positive impact of her own educators and her commitment to helping students learn and thrive—regardless of background. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences, along with a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art, from San Diego State University. Julia works with a wide range of art materials and mediums and is dedicated to continually growing both as an artist and as an educator. In her classroom, she creates a positive, inclusive, and creative environment where all students are encouraged to express themselves. By incorporating diverse art forms, crafts, and cultural perspectives, Julia helps students explore and discover their creative voices. Her goal is to guide and support each student on their artistic journey and to help them grow not only as artists, but also as confident, thoughtful individuals.