Faculty
Mason Hanson
Sixth Grade Science Teacher, Sixth Grade Dean
Mason Hanson holds a B.A. in cognitive science from UC Berkeley, with a focus in the learning sciences. They began their professional pursuits at the Institute of Human Development at UC Berkeley, where they conducted research on the cognitive development of young children. They then spent four years developing science curriculum as a learning and assessment specialist with Lawrence Hall of Science’s Learning Design Group. Following that, Mason worked as lead STEAM curriculum developer for Cubit, a K-12 robotics and computer science education startup. They joined the Black Pine Circle School faculty in 2018, and in addition to science, they have taught sixth grade technology and garden. Mason runs a Scratch coding after-school club at BPC, and during the summer they teach a Scratch programming course with the UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program. Born and raised in Lake Tahoe, Mason enjoys a range of outdoor activities in their personal time, including hiking, backpacking, kayaking, skiing, gardening, and foraging for interesting and tasty plants.
Why I Work with Children
I chose to be a STEAM educator because I believe childhood is when you develop the fascination that fuels your lifelong mission of change-making. My goal is to offer students opportunity to discover what fascinates them. I take a student-centered approach, giving students the reins in their own exploration by identifying and solving problems that are both globally relevant and personally meaningful. Our world relies on innovators, people who get so intensely curious about problems that they can’t help but solve them.
A Favorite Book
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. This book explains human biases, the ways our minds work to perceive, react, and make decisions. Understanding how my brain works has helped me become a better person and more helpful to my community.
Quick Fact
