Faculty & Staff
Department Chairperson
Full-Time Faculty
I also enjoy a good adventure--rock climbing, hiking, or traveling to new places, for example. One goal for me this year is to travel to my family's hometown of Ramallah, Palestine, and learn how to cook some traditional Palestinian food.
For the past 19 years, I’ve been blessed and honored to rub shoulders with greatness both in and out of the classroom. Each semester I look forward to every class session guided and inspired by the words of the renowned Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire who believed, as I do, that “[w]hoever teaches learns in the act of teaching, and whoever learns teaches in the act of learning.”
Very early, so early I can’t remember when or how it began, I read Marvel and DC superhero comic books with complete devotion. After Sunday morning services downtown, my father would take me and my three sisters to a magazine store near Pershing Square [now the Plaza entrance to the underground Metro station on 5th Ave.] to buy comic books for the week.
Soon, not only was I reading the stories over and over again, but I started drawing my favorite characters in the style of my favorite artists, like John Romita in the poster. From late elementary school through high school, I drew and drew, even as I was passionately playing all kinds of sports, going to school, being with my friends and surrounded by my extended family. [...]
Prior to transferring to UC Berkeley, she attended Los Angeles City College (LACC). Sally’s educational experience at LACC inspired a commitment to the mission of community colleges, and motivated her to pursue a career as an educator. She is interested in issues of access and equity in higher education, and at UC Berkeley she co-facilitated a student-led tutoring program in San Quentin State Prison for men in the adult education program at the prison. At LATTC, Sally will be the dedicated English instructor for the Construction, Maintenance, & Utilities Pathway.
My B.A. in English and M.F.A. in Creative Writing are both from CSULB. I also attended Long Beach Community College & Rio Hondo Community College—for quite a bit of years! But when I finally had a solid goal, I was able to focus in and complete my schooling.
My mom raised me and my older brother and taught us the value of working hard and being self-sufficient. I missed the presence of my father and younger brother for most of my younger life here in the U.S. as they lived far away in Arizona, Mexico City, Bucerias, or Queretaro, but I cherish the relationship we formed in my adult years.
Students: Life is truly short! And yet, here you are with your life before you, ready to blossom and mold your path into infinite shapes. I value the opportunity to share with you how important your story is. Let’s write it down.