Faculty

Aisha Ortega brings over twelve years of experience working with students in various capacities. Participating in the New York City Teaching Fellows program, she became a special education teacher; teaching for four years in the South Bronx. Additionally, she has worked as a middle school study skills and critical reading instructor at the University of California, Berkeley and as a program site coordinator for a non-profit and public school grant collaboration. In March 2012, Aisha joined USF's...

Nicola McClung was a teacher in San Francisco public schools for eight years prior to receiving her doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on critical literacy and multiliteracies during early childhood, and she examines children’s literature and identity development for students who are often marginalized in print.  She is also interested in critical quantitative research and the use of statistics to promote equity and social change. She is cofounder of Xóchit...

Cheryl Hendrickson has been an educator in public schools for over 20 years. She currently works as an inclusion specialist, ensuring that all students have access to the education they deserve. Teaching opportunities have included providing special education services to students in California and Nebraska public schools, teaching middle school in England, and teaching literacy to adults in San Francisco County Jails.

Professor Leon Guerrero is entering her 16th year teaching in San Francisco's public schools. She has taught in an elementary special day class, as a 4th-8th grade Inclusion specialist, and is currently a reading intervention teacher for middle school students. She’s coached new special education teachers and tenured K-12 teachers, provided professional development to teachers, and served as an instructor for special education teachers in an alternative certification program. She has a passion...

Professor Lund’s passion is education, and her career has led her to serve in a number of roles in public school districts around the Bay Area. She feels honored to serve in this role and support the development of future teachers.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Professor Helen Tam has always been drawn to urban public schools. After studying education at UC Davis and going on to become an elementary school teacher, she felt called to work with students with special needs. This led her to USF, where she earned a credential in special education. The field of special ed has been her passion ever since, and she plans to spend most, if not the rest, of her teaching career working with differently-abled students in public...