please tell us a bit about yourself

[Anonymous]

My name is Mayra Alvarenga. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have been working for LAUSD since 2000. I worked for over 10 years at my old middle school. Initially as a teacher's assistant as I worked on my undergrad program. I received my bachelor's in criminal justice, took a year off from LAUSD to work at a criminal defense office. Three months after leaving LAUSD, I realized that I hated that field. Teaching children and collaborating with colleagues was a learning experience for me as well. Working at the law firm was never fulfilling for me. I am currently teaching a self-contained 6th grade class at Sutter Middle School. I teach all subject: math, science, English, and history. I have a Masters in Education and a multiple subject credential. I am currently working on attaining a single subject credential to teach social science for students k-12.

All of my travel experience has taken place across the U.S and Canada. I love nature; I can be happy hiking or relaxing on the beach. I am excited to visit and learn about cultures that I have only read about in book or seen on tv. I am looking forward to all the knowledge and experiences that I will learn from fellow educators and our upcoming trip.
edited by malvarenga on 5/19/2015

[Anonymous]

Hello All!
I am so thrilled to be part of the study tour group
My name is Tara Howlett. I have been teaching single subject social studies at the secondary level for 5 years. I recently took a new position at Liberty High School in Bakersfield, CA. Next year I will be teaching Honors Government, Honors Economics, and U.S. History. I have a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in Education. I have studied International Relations and Gender in Asia and I am looking forward to continue my education on East Asia as we embark on our tour. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, keeping up with current political news, and traveling.
I have attached a photo from my trip last week to Sacramento. I took a student group for Latina Action Day and they lobbied on issues facing young Latinas today.

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[Anonymous]

Hi all,

My name is Emily Isler and I am super excited to be a part of this experience! I currently teach 9th grade Big History, 10th grade World History and a mixed-grade AP Euro History at a small private school in San Pedro. I have my BA in European history from the University of Colorado and my MA in British History from the Institute of Historical Research (University of London). So, I am thrilled to expand my horizons outside of European History and travel to China and Taiwan!! In my spare time I like to read, cook, and attempt to work out.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and exploring these amazing cities!

[Anonymous]

Hello,
My name is Marisa Scott & I think our trip is going to be FUNtastic! I was born and raised in California. My husband & I have 3 boys (25,21, & 18). I have been teaching for 18 years. Currently I am teaching 6th grade Ancient History, the Chef class (cooking) for 7th & 8th graders & a leadership class at Palos Verdes Intermediate School. I have my BA in Communications from USC and my MA in Education. I love to take pictures, cook & travel. I've been to every continent except Australia & Antarctica and I enjoy experiencing new places, cultures, and people. I can't wait to meet everyone in person

[Anonymous]

Hi!
My name in Jillian Sheehan and I am currently teaching 7th grade World History at De Portola Middle School in San Diego. I am a San Diego native, but left to live in cold Minnesota for college. I came back for the warmer weather after college and have been here ever since. I am so excited to be travelling to Asia. I have been to Europe a million times and lived in England for a study abroad program. I have been teaching for 6 years and have my MA in Education from National University. I love yoga and working out in general, so if anyone wants a workout buddy (if we have time...), I'm your gal. I am excited to meet everyone and to be immersed in Chinese history and culture.
edited by jilliansheehan on 5/20/2015

[Anonymous]

Hello all!

My name is Nikysha (Nikki) Gilliam and I have been teaching for 18 years. I spent the first 16 years of my career in elementary and have now moved to middle school. I teach English but I am also looking for ways to collaborate with other departments. I am very excited about participating in this study and learning more through this adventure! I often participate in professional developments and look for opportunities to learn new things. I'm originally from Pontiac, Michigan and now live in Los Angeles. I have traveled outside of the U.S. before (my favorite place is Puerto Rico), but I have never been as far away as China. I'm looking forward to the adventure!

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon everyone! I'm very excited to be a part of such an amazing opportunity and can't wait to work with you all as well as enjoy this experience. I've been teaching for 9 years in the middle school age group, Social Studies, ELA, and Leadership, depending on the year. I'm very involved at my site and district, just as I had been at my previous district. I started off teaching in the desert back home where I grew up and then 3 years ago moved to Costa Mesa. I am enjoying the summers much more here than out in Palm Springs! I don't think my boxer dog, Scully, would appreciate the heat when we go out on our adventures. I've traveled throughout the USA, Mexico but have not ventured out to Asia and am thankful for this journey. ---- Gracie Camacho
edited by gcamacho on 5/20/2015
edited by gcamacho on 5/20/2015

[Anonymous]

I am really looking forward to an amazing experience exploring China and Taiwan. I've been teaching fifth grade for the past 6 years and I taught 4th grade for nine years (all at Rancho Elementary School in Temecula). Before becoming a teacher I worked as a research microbiologist first in Long Beach and then in San Diego. I have a B.S. in Bacteriology and MA in Education. Growing up I lived overseas in Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines. I have also lived in New Mexico, New York, Utah, South Carolina, Indiana, and my favorite State California. When you grow up as an Air Force dependent you see a lot of the world. I love to read and travel and I am excited for our adventure to start!

[Anonymous]

My name is Luis Valladares and I've been teaching World History and Government for the past four years at Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield CA. I received my BA in Social Studies with a minor in Political Science from Cal State University, Bakersfield. During my studies, I took a few courses on East Asia, in particular gender studies. It was my fascination in these classes that led me to the USC US China Institute. I have taken two seminars and thoroughly enjoyed both. Over the years, I have traveled overseas a few times. I have been to Germany, France, Italy and Austria. In addition to Europe, I also spent some time in Mozambique as a member of the Peace Corps where I taught English. I'm really looking forward to visiting Taiwan and Beijing for this study tour and getting to meet all you fine folks.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. My name is Ryan Stough and I've been an educator since 2004. I've taught 7th grade World History, 8th grade U.S. History, 10th grade World History and 11th grade U.S History in both Ventura Count and LAUSD. Currently, I am serving as an instructional coach with the California Democracy School Initiative. This grant promotes civic learning and community involvement in 12 different schools in Los Angeles County. In the past I have had the opportunity to travel throughout the U.S., Central America, South America, Europe and South East Asia. This will be my first time to China or Taiwan and I couldn't be more excited for this experience. Looking forward to sharing this adventure with everyone

[Anonymous]

Hello,

My name is Roxanne Pompilio and I look forward to this incredible experience! I currently teach 10th grade AP World History, Modern World History and Geography, and 7th grade World Cultures at the School of Creative and Performing Arts, an Arts Magnet in San Diego Unified School District. Past years, I’ve taught AP Government and Economics. I have an M.A. in Political Science from the UCSD and I’m working on a second M.A. in Educational Leadership and Technology, a joint online program through SDSU and the San Diego County Education Office. I am a life long learner, a wine and food enthusiast, and love to travel, hike, and scuba dive. I studied in Budapest, Hungary during its transition from communism to a democracy, and was a participant in the Fulbright Hayes program in Morocco, 2005 and the AP summer institute in Nanjing, 2008. I am excited to meet and to work with everyone.

[Anonymous]

Hello! My name is Shadia and I'm currently teaching 10th grade World History and 11th grade U.S. History. I have been teaching for 5 years, but this is my first teaching position within LAUSD. I have taught Government, Economics and AP Government which is what got me interested in China's political and economic system. I got both my Bachelors in Anthropology and my Masters in Education from UCLA. I live in Los Angeles with my husband (we just got married in December!). My FAVORITE thing to do on earth is travel—I have traveled extensively throughout Europe, Northern Africa, Central America and parts of Asia, but China has eluded me, until now! I cannot wait to meet everyone and embark on this fabulous adventure.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone this is Charles Donelan. I participated in Professor Dube's seminar on East Asia last summer at USC, and I'm excited about joining this study tour for my first trip to China. I teach English to 11th and 12th graders at Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara. I'm originally from New England, and I have a BA from Yale and a PhD from Columbia, both in English Literature. I love studying the Chinese culture and right now I am reading "Ocean of Words" by Ha Jin, which is a book of short stories about the Russian border conflict. I'm looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday at USC.

[Anonymous]

Hi all. I’m Jeff and I’ve been teaching for almost a decade in the Bay Area. I started off teaching World and US History at a junior high school and am now teaching Geography and US History at a high school. During this time I’ve also earned a couple graduate degrees at SF State. I am a believer of life-long learning and see this study tour as an exciting opportunity to expand my knowledge and bring what I have learned back to the classroom. I have chaperoned student trips to Washington, DC before, but this will be my first study tour and first trip to China. I look forward to meeting everyone this Sunday.

[vjones]

Hello everyone. I know we all met on Sunday, but I wanted to give a short introduction of myself. I've been working at the US-China Institute and with Clay since its inception in 2006. Prior to working at USC, I worked at UCLA (also with Clay) at the Asia Institute. During my free time I love to travel, eat lots of good food, and run marathons. This will be my fourth study tour to China and every time I learn something new and exciting. I'm anxious to hear all of your curriculum ideas on the forum and while traveling. I'm confident you will learn so much and have plenty of positive experiences on our trip to share with your students. See you soon!

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