Meet the Teachers!
coast is fortunate to have four amazing teachers supporting our program.
coast is fortunate to have four amazing teachers supporting our program.
Breanna Bassett
Bree holds credentials in both mild/moderate and moderate/severe special education. She also has a Master’s degree in Special Education. Bree has been with COAST since 2019. Prior to becoming a part of the COAST Family, she taught in a mod/severe ASD class in a middle school, and at a local nonpublic school where she built upon her passion in managing difficult behaviors and teaching meaningful life skills to her students. Teaching Transition is truly my passion and what better place to teach than at COAST! Outside of COAST, Bree has a husband serving in the US Military, two dogs, and two cats. When she is not at work, her hobbies include traveling National Parks, road trips, walking at Cardiff State Beach, and enjoying a meal at Nectarine Grove.
Irene Amezcua
My name is Irene Amezcua and I am an Education Specialist at COAST. This is my 4th year teaching, and prior to that I was a substitute teacher for 3 years. I have my Multiple Subject Credential (Grades K-8th), and both my Mild/Mod and Moderate/Severe Education Specialist Credentials. I also graduated with my Masters in Special Education from Cal State San Marcos in 2022. Before working in San Dieguito, I worked in Escondido High School for two years and for one year at San Pasqual Elementary. During my free time I enjoy running and exercising, especially playing basketball. I love hiking and taking walks on the beach. I enjoy spending time with my family and godchildren.
Haley Hamman
Haley Hamman is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara where she obtained her B.A. in History with a minor in Educational Studies, in addition to her Masters of Education and Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Moderate/Severe disabilities. Before entering the field of education, she worked as an in-home care provider for adults with developmental disabilities. Mrs. Haley discovered her passion for working with people with disabilities early on in life, through her naturally occuring interactions with a neighbor on the spectrum, her participation in social skills inclusion programs as a middle schooler, and the opportunity of being a teacher's assistant in a high school life skills class. Mrs. Haley is most passionate about teaching students towards independence. Her favorite thing about COAST is the diversity in content, lessons, and activities that naturally come with a transition program, with an emphasis on life skills. In her free time, she likes to read mysteries and thrillers, play indoor volleyball, do hot yoga, play with her 2 cats, and travel with her husband. Check out her class website here.
Malia McGrath
Malia McGrath is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University. She received her B.A in Child and Adolescent development with a minor in Psychology. In addition, she received three credentials in Multiple Subjects, Mild/Moderate and Moderate to Severe disabilities. Continuing her education, she received her Masters in Special Education. Malia has been passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities since she was a T.A for a life skills class in high school. She has experience nannying young children to caretaking for an elderly woman, assisting the CEO and cofounder of D.S Action at Rady childrens and helped hold events for the special olympics. Her favorite part about COAST is creating and maintaining positive relationships with students, staff and assisting students grow into more independent and confident young adults. She loves COAST! Outside of work you can find Malia riding along the coast on her E-bike, hiking, surfing and traveling.