Susan Chan
6th Grade GATE teacher, Ethan Allen Elem., Garden Grove Unified School District
Susan Chan received her Bachelors of Arts degree and teaching credential from the California Baptist University. She is
currently attending California State University, Fullerton to obtain her M.A. in Education and preliminary administrative
credential. Her experiences include teaching three years in general education and one year in gifted education. Aside from
devoting her life to improve public education, she dedicates her time and energy to serving God at her Christian church
located in Long Beach, CA. She has a passion for children and teaching. Some of her interests include swimming, running,
reading, shopping, and photography.
Sarai Costley sarai.costley@pusd.org
Science Teacher Specialist, K-12, Pomona Unified School District
Sarai Costley provides support to school staff and individual teachers in the area of Science. Sarai taught high school from
2000-2005 where she also served as a lead science teacher, was a member of the data action team, and restructuring
committee. Sarai is a member of the California Science Teachers Association and Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development. She is also a Professional Associate for California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Sarai
received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from California State University, Fullerton. She continued her
education and completed the teacher credentialing program at California State University, Fullerton, and is in the process of
earning her master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Sarai enjoys spending time with her husband and her faithful dog,
Shadow.
Moises De La Mora delamorafunds@yahoo.com
Social Studies Teacher, Segerstrom High School (SAUSD)
Moises De La Mora received his A.A. from Fullerton College and both his B.A. and teaching credential from CSU,
Fullerton. His teaching experience includes four years of middle school and high school social studies. Moises also works
with at-risk and adult students through the Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education in order to help students
achieve completion of their high school diploma. Major research endeavors include factors that contribute to student
achievement for low socioeconomic students. His major passions include traveling to develop new cultural appreciations,
watching movies, and seeking beautiful beaches to unwind during the summer.
Michelle Evans Michellerowley2000@yahoo.com
Elementary Teacher, Monroe Elementary Riverside Unified School District
Michelle Evans received her undergrad from Brigham Young University in Elementary Education. Currently, she is
attending Cal State Fullerton for her Masters in Educational Leadership. She has taught elementary school for four years.
Her experienced grade levels are: first, fourth and fifth. She has been involved in a variety of clubs/activities: School Site
Council, Tiger Student Council, Physical Fitness Chair, Social Studies Chair and Social Committee Host. This year she will
be team leader for the fourth grade. She values time with her sweetheart and working out.
James Fleming james811@gmail.com
Assistant Principal, Mayfair Middle/High School – Bellflower Unified School District
James received his B.S. in Biology and his teaching credential from CSULB. He joined the Mayfair family in August of
2001, and never looked back. In 2007, James served as a teacher leader on the WASC leadership team. Mayfair was
proud to earn a 6-year accreditation. In 2008, James was moved to an Asst. Principal position. His duties include special
education, activities, attendance, supervision of instructional aides, and discipline support. James vaguely remembers what
'free time' was like. During those times, he enjoyed taking his dogs on hikes, painting, celebrity blogs and travel.
Danielle Froelich Dano11234@aol.com
5th Grade Teacher, East Whittier City School District
Danielle obtained her B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from
CSUF. In addition to her five years of teaching experience in fifth grade at Orchard Dale, she is actively involved in a
plethora of committees at school including co-chair of student council, leadership team, school safety, school events,
textbook adoption and training, and is currently pursuing GLAD key trainer certification. Danielle lives with a houseful of
mostly males, including her supportive husband Ryan and handsome 8-year-old son, Kolel. Additionally residing in our
home are the dogs Maxi, Max, and Spice (only other girl), the fish, Pat, and two turtles, Crush and Shell. Danielle enjoys
being with her family, exercising, reading, making jewelry, and going to the beach.
Eric Merkt merkt1066@yahoo.com
Third grade teacher, SAUSD
Eric Merkt received his B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in English from the University of California, Irvine and his Multiple
Subject Teaching Credential from Calif. State University, Long Beach. He has taught elementary school for 12 years, 10
of them as a bilingual teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District. He is currently researching the relationship between
physical fitness and test scores in fifth grade students. He enjoys playing soccer, cooking and is the father of an 11 month
old baby boy named Sebastian Carl.
Jessica A. Monserratte, J_monserratte@yahoo.com
Co-Director of Activities and Social Studies Teacher, Cerritos High School, ABCUSD
Jessica A. Monserratte earned her B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University,
Pomona; her M.A. in Education and teaching credential from Pepperdine University. She is currently in the process of
earning her preliminary administrative credential from California State University Fullerton. Jessica has been teaching
Economics, Marketing and Government for the past 5 years and recently moved to the Director of Activities position.
Jessica stays active on campus as a WASC group leader, department technology assistant, and CAHSEE administrator.
Jessica’s experience includes working on Capital Hill with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressman Ed.
Royce. Jessica spends her free time with her fiancée, family, and friends. Some of Jessica’s interests include traveling,
running, and watching documentaries.
Andrew J. Moraga amoraga@ewcsd.org
Teacher, East Whittier City School District
Andrew Moraga received his teaching credential from CalPoly Pomona via the CalStateTEACH program; his B.A. in
Liberal Studies from Cal State Fullerton, and his A.A. in Liberal Studies from Fullerton College His experience includes
15 years in education and training including both public and private educational settings, and private business. He currently
teaches Grade 7 Pre-Algebra and Life Science at Hillview Middle School.
Melissa Paonessa thepaonessas@socal.rr.com
Teacher, Centralia School District
Melissa Paonessa received her A.A. from Cypress College and both her B.A. in Business Administration and Multiple
Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD emphasis from California State University, Fullerton. She is currently in the
process of earning her master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Melissa has been teaching for 9 years at a low-
performing Title 1 elementary school located in Anaheim. She is very involved in the leadership of the school serving on
Curriculum Council, SST Coordinator, Nutrition Lead, and Writing Coordinator. Melissa has been happily married for
almost 8 years and has two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. When not spending time with her husband and children,
Melissa loves to scrapbook and spend time with family and friends.
Thi Ta taanhthi99@gmail.com
Program Officer, Educational Administration Department, SEAMEO Regional Training Center, Vietnam
Thi Ta received her B.A. in teaching from University of Education, Vietnam. She joined the Southeast Asian Ministers of
Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Training Center in Vietnam (SEAMEO-Vietnam) as Program Officer of the
Educational Management Department. Working in this field, I have been involved in a variety of educational activities
including coordinating seminars/workshops/training courses, doing research in identifying training needs for educational
institutions, coordinating study visits for the SEAMEO member countries’ officials, strengthening the Center’s international
cooperation with other institutions and agencies. Her major passions are listening to pop music, watching romantic movies,
and taking pictures of places she visits.
Lisa Wilson lwilson@orangeusd.org
Counselor, Villa Park High School, Orange Unified School District
Lisa Wilson received her MA in Counseling, Pupil Personnel Services Credential as well as her BS in Psychology from St.
Mary’s College of California and is currently pursuing her Educational Leadership credential from California State
University, Fullerton. Her experience includes 3 years of personal, social, career, academic and college counseling where
she serves as the ELAC Liaison, Counseling Department Intervention Coordinator, interim Assistant Principal of Discipline,
SST Coordinator, Counseling Website Developer as well as the Certificated Representative for the Superintendents
Forum. She has continued to expand her experience by taking on the development of an online–based site credit recovery
program where she serves as the teacher of record. Outside of school, Lisa enjoys reading, spending time with friends and
her dog, Cessa.
Diana Wright Diana-Wright@excite.com
8th Grade Algebra Teacher, Anaheim Union High School District
Diana Wright earned her BA at Michigan State University in Purchasing and Materials & Logistics Management. Over the
next seven years she worked for a music distribution company holding various management positions in Michigan, Indiana,
Colorado, and California. At that point she decided to change careers and become a teacher, which she now considers
the best decision she ever made. She attended CSU Fullerton to earn her single subject teaching credential in business and
foundational level math. Currently Diana teaches Algebra at Sycamore Junior High and coaches volleyball, tennis,
basketball, and softball. In her free time, she enjoys softball, bike riding, snowboarding, and decorating her new condo.
| Fall 2008 - Fullerton Tier I Team |
Dr. Linda Orozco
