Jesús Becerra chuyb65@hotmail.com
Third grade teacher, Del Obispo Elementary, Capistrano Unified School District
Jesús received his B.A. in psychology from Cal State Fullerton in 2002, where he is currently pursuing his administrative
masters degree as well. This is his fourth year as a teacher at Del Obispo Elementary. Aside from his teaching
responsibilities, Jesus is also the school's ELD advisor, elementary teaching assistant principal, school translator, and
superintendent council representative. Jesús is married to his lovely wife Alejandra who is also pursuing her masters degree.
Jesús and his wife have two children, Verónica age four and Noé age three. He enjoys spending time with his family and
taking them to Disneyland and Sea World.
Lori Boyer lboyer7@cox.net, lboyer@tustin.k12.ca.us
Third grade Teacher, Elementary Teacher Assistant Principal, Tustin Unified School District
Lori received her B. A. degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fullerton and her teaching credential and
masters in Cross cultural Education from National University. She is currently pursuing a credential in Educational
Leadership from CSUF. This year marks her ninth year in teaching which include first and third grades. She has also been a
part of the leadership team for two years, served as the site representative for the Tustin Educators Association and co-
chairs the SEMS team. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, Max, and practicing Bikram Yoga.
Jaemie Heiland jaemie@pacbell.net
TOSA/Program Facilitator, Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD)
Jaemie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication
from Azusa Pacific University in 1995. After working in business for 6 years, she attended CSUF where she received a
multiple subject teaching credential with a CLAD emphasis. She has taught elementary school in Garden Grove for the
past 8 years (grades 2-5). Her experiences in education include: Leadership Team Member / Leadership Academy,
Grade Level Lead, Master Teacher, CBET Lead Teacher, SST Coordinator, Union Representative, District Curriculum
Consult Member, Co-Creator of Single School Plan, Safety Committee Member, BTSA Support Provider, and District
Trainer and Classroom Coach for all GGUSD Curriculum and Programs. Jaemie looks forward to a career in
Administration in Garden Grove.
Justine Lang jbl570@yahoo.com
Teacher/STAP 1, Las Flores Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District
Ms. Lang received her B.S. in psychology from Santa Clara University, and her single subject teaching credential in English
from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Currently she is seeking an M.S. in educational administration from
California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Lang serves as a Student Teaching Assistant Principal at Las Flores Middle
School in the Capistrano Unified School District where she also teaches seventh grade accelerated English and eighth
grade social studies literacy. Throughout her eight years in education she has held numerous leadership positions such as
department chair, Advancement Via Individual Determination coordinator, grade-level leader and district literacy coach.
Prior to teaching, Ms. Lang worked in politics and in Washington D.C. as a research assistant. She values family and
friends, and loves to travel.
John McGuinness jmcguinness@excite.com
Teacher, Santa Ana Unified School District
John McGuinness received his teaching credential at California State University Fullerton, where he is currently pursuing an
M.S. in educational administration, and earned a B.A. in American literature from University of California Santa Cruz. Mr.
McGuinness has been teaching for 11 years, all at an urban intermediate school in Santa Ana, California. He is very
involved with the leadership of the school serving as the president of the School Site Council, member of the leadership
team, and union representative for the teachers. A native of New Zealand who has lived in the U.S. for 40 of his 42 years,
John loves camping with his wife Lois and their two children, Claire and Jack.
Shannon Moore smoore@tustin.k12.ca.us
2nd Grade Teacher, Elementary Teaching Assistant Principal, TUSD
Shannon received her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Chapman University. In addition to departmental honors, she graduated
Cum Laude, Gray Key. She has taught fourth, fourth/fifth, and second grades. She currently enjoys being a Beginning
Teacher Support Provider, a Lead Support Provider, an Elementary Teaching Assistant Principal, and a member of the
school leadership team. She has served as a Grade Level Chair, a student council coordinator, and a master teacher.
Recognitions of her teaching include three Tustin Public School Foundation Grants and Nelson’s Teacher of the Year
Award, 2007. Outside of school, you can find Shannon treasuring time with her family. She loves everything from golfing in
Palm Springs to playing volleyball at the beach.
Ylva Penman Y5penman@aol.com
Adapted Physical Education Specialist, Santa Ana Unified School District
Ylva received her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach in Physical Education. She holds the following
California teaching credentials: Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential; Ryan Act Single Subject Credential,
Physical Education; Supplementary Authorization, Mathematics; and Cross-Cultural Language and Academic
Development Credential. She has taught Physical Education, Algebra, Biology, General Science, and Trigonometry at the
American International School of Florence, Italy. She has been an Adapted Physical Education Specialist in Tustin Unified
School District and Santa Ana Unified School District. Concurrently with teaching, she has been an outside sales agent as a
cruise specialist for Vacation Connection in Cerritos. She enjoys her five children, travel, reading, adventure, laughter, and
hands-on projects.
Joshua Porter jporter@tustin.k12.ca.us
Sixth grade Math and Science, Tustin Unified School District
Joshua Porter is currently pursuing his M.S. in Educational Leadership along with an Administrative Credential from
California State University, Fullerton. He also holds a Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential which he earned
from California State University, Fullerton. His experience includes 3 years of teaching and 2 years of serving in a
leadership role at C.E. Utt Middle School, Tustin USD. Mr. Porter is a certified Rescue SCUBA Diver and an
Emergency First Response Instructor. When Josh is not working or diving, he is spending time with his loving wife and
ever-curious son.
Taruna Ramani tarunaramani@hotmail.com
Teacher Aide, Fountain Valley School District
Taruna Ramani received her M.A. in English Literature, B.A. in Liberal Science, B. Ed and Diploma in Early Childhood
Care and Education from Delhi, India. She has eight years of experience in the field of education working in the capacity of
administrator and senior kindergarten teacher in Delhi, India. She has successfully conducted summer workshops to
enhance creativity in children. She is very passionate about learning and her husband's job assignment to US has given her
the opportunity to do masters from CSUF and she is looking forward to using this knowledge when she returns to India
next year. Taruna is enjoying her job as a teaching aide because it gives her the opportunity to observe closely the teaching
style in an American school. In her free time she loves spending time with her family and exploring new places!!
Katy Sheyka mksheyka4@yahoo.com
Title I Teacher on Special Assignment & Elem-Tchr Assist. Principal, Tustin USD
Mrs. Sheyka is currently pursuing her M.S. in Educational Leadership along with an Administrative Credential from Calif.
State University, Fullerton. She holds a Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential which she earned from Calif. State
University, Fullerton. She earned her B.S. in Child Development from CSUF, as well. Katy is a National Board Certified
Teacher in the area of Literacy. Her experience includes 8 years of teaching in a contained classroom and 3 years of
serving in a leadership role at Lambert Elementary, TUSD. Mrs. Sheyka is extremely passionate about meeting the diverse
needs of all students. A mother of 2 and grounded in her faith, Katy has been happily married for 11 years and she
treasures each moment that her family is all together!
Olivia Silva osilva@ggusd.us
Teacher on Special Assignment, K-6 Instruction, Garden Grove Unified School District
Olivia graduated from the University of California, Irvine and received a B.A. in Psychology as well as a Multiple Subject
Teaching Credential with a CLAD emphasis. She has served in the field of education for 10 years, including teaching high
school English in Japan for two years. Olivia began her career in education at GGUSD as a Bilingual Instructional Aide and
currently serves as a program facilitator in which she provides curriculum support and trainings to teachers in K-6. Olivia
has four brothers and four sisters and enjoys the frequent family gatherings. She has a passion for world travel and seeks to
learn about different cultures and customs. She enjoys camping, hiking, and running marathons.
Deena Vela mrssmartie@cox.net
Teacher & ETAP (Elementary Teacher Assistant Principal), Tustin Unified School District
I received my B.A. and teaching credential from CSULB. I have also received my Master's degree in Educational
Technology from Pepperdine. I am currently working on completing my Administrative Credential through CSUF. I have
taught for 16 years and consult for SRA (Open Court) and the UCI Writing Project. I have served on the leadership team
at various school sites and I LOVE helping teachers to integrate technology into their daily instruction. I have 3 beautiful
children (Haley 6, Hannah 3 and Jake 2) who keep me on my toes EVERY minute! I love spending every moment with
my children and husband doing any family activities like going to the beach, Disneyland, birthday parties, sporting events or
just hanging out.
Stacy Wheat swheat@iusd.org
SDC Teacher, Irvine Unified School District
Stacy Wheat received her B.S. from University of California, Irvine in Criminology, Law and Society. She holds a multiple
subject teaching credential and an educational specialist credential. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Educational
Leadership from California State University, Fullerton. She has taught 1st and 6th grade general education, 3rd-8th grade
special education, and currently teaches grades 9-12+ special education at the high school level. Stacy enjoys spending
her free time with her husband, two children and nephew going camping, enjoying the beach, and community events.
Christi Yokoyama cyokoyama@tustin.k12.ca.us
Teacher, Elementary Teacher Assistant Principal, Tustin Unified School District
Christi received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and M.S. from California State University, Fullerton; and her B.
A. from California State University, Fresno. Both her M.S. and B.A. are in the area of Biological Sciences. She is a
National Board Certified Teacher and is currently pursuing an Administrative Credential. Christi has 12 years of
experience in education in public and private settings, teaching both elementary age children and university courses. She
has an interest in technology in education and is passionate about increasing student achievement through professional
collaboration and teacher education. A mother of two boys and a new baby girl, Christi enjoys spending time with her
family. She loves to travel and is an avid reader.
| Fall 2008 - Irvine Tier I Team |
Dr. Linda Orozco
