Ninth and 11th grade English teacher, avid reader, creative writer. Hiker, frequent weightlifter, registered yoga teacher, gastronome. The list goes on, yet together, they conjoin to form the central identity of Lynbrook’s new English teacher Dena Zlotziver. 

Despite being credentialed in English and teaching English to Cupertino High School students in 2012, Zlotziver briefly left CHS to work as an activities director at Willow Glen High School, where she was in charge of all school activities. Though this role was enjoyable for her, she realized her true love for teaching English. Determined to teach English again, she joined FUHSD once again as a Middle College teacher teaching seniors Contemporary Literature for six years in De Anza College until the end of June 2024.

“It’s cool teaching a more diverse population of students from across the whole district,” Zlotziver said. “There are fewer students at Middle College. I had about 60 students, as opposed to having a full 5-period schedule with around 150 students.”  

Determined to work her way back into a traditional high school and having her own room within the school, Zlotziver returns to a FUHSD high school to teach freshmen and junior Vikings literature. She now works with Lynbrook’s team of English teachers, learning and adapting teaching techniques from them. With influence from her time teaching in Middle College, Zlotziver aimed to still recreate the collaborative environment she was used to, incorporating self-reflection activities and growth mindset into her curriculum. 

“I missed the buzz of a high school campus where there are events, extracurricular activities, spirit and more people around,” Zlotsiver said. “I missed being able to teach more than just one class. Teaching at Middle College and high schools comes with its own set of benefits, but I’ve been in Middle College for a while, and I felt ready for a change, so I’m really excited.”