MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS
Sixth Grade
Joanne Chen
Ms. “Chen”derson is a life-long learner. She started her schooling in Taiwan and then immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 8. Her first lesson in the U.S. was learning to bob for apples which she thought was gross and silly. Since then, she has earned a B.A. in Political Economies of Industrial Societies from UC Berkeley. Prior to becoming a teacher with WCCUSD, she worked as a marketing consultant launching companies in the digital space. This will be her 17th year of teaching the 6th grade. Ms. “Chen”derson lives in Oakland with her fun-loving family of critters: three demanding cats, two goofy dogs, and a clever husband who can fix just about anything. She loves to spend time hiking, climbing, reading and gardening.
Liutha Phan
I was born in Laos and grew up in Richmond, California. I attended Lincoln Elementary, Montalvin Manor Elementary, Downer Junior High, Helms Junior High, Kennedy High, and finally, Richmond High School. I studied Human Development and Native American Studies at UC Davis and graduated in 1995. I have taught grades 1 through 6 in both Oakland Unified and WCCUSD. This will be my 21st year. I love to travel and learn about different cultures.
Seventh Grade
Brett Lackey
Sharron Dennis
I was raised in the Bay Area and I’ve been teaching in WCCUSD for 20 years. My family is originally from the US Virgin Islands and the East Coast and I love to travel!
Eighth Grade
Valerie van der Meer
I have been teaching in WCCUSD for 20 years. I am currently teaching 8th grade US history and NGSS 8th grade Science. I like to read, knit, do art projects, and garden.
Ryan Tsugawa
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended WCCUSD schools from grades K-12. After graduating from El Cerrito High, I moved to Los Angeles, where I attended UCLA and Pepperdine University and received his BA in sociology, teaching credential, and master’s degree in education. Before I came to Mira Vista in 2010, I was a 4th/5th-grade teacher and math coach in the Oakland Unified School District for 4 years. In my free time, I like to watch sports (go Giants, 49ers, and Warriors!), cook, and spend time with my family.