With over 28 years of experience teaching, Lena has taught at various grade levels from kindergarten through high school. With a BA in English Literature from the University of Redlands and credentials in Multiple Subject and SPED Mild/Mod from Azusa Pacific University, where she also earned a Master's in Teaching, she brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. Her career began at a non-public high school in a tough part of LA, followed by 10 years in Rosemead, CA, teaching 6th, 4th, and 1st grades. To reduce her commute, she moved to Fontana USD, where she has been for over 15 years, initially teaching 2nd grade before being laid off in 2009. During this period, she earned a SPED credential and returned to teach in an SDC classroom for 4 years. She then transitioned back to general education, teaching 1st grade, took a stint as a STEAM enrichment teacher, and finally settled into a 2nd-grade classroom. Enjoying working with primary grades, Lena looks forward to what the next few years will bring.

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April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training