Katie Wood – Admin & National School Lunch Program Office Coordinator

Ms. Katie Wood is a Tucson native with 13 years of experience in administrative assistance. She is currently enrolled at Arizona State University finishing her Bachelors of Science in Family and Human Development. This is her first year with TIA, we are excited to have her! Ms. Katie is a firm believer in the concept that each day is the opportunity to learn something new. She will bring this approach to the East Campus as she joins TIA as the new Administrative Assistant.

Teacher: Monique Canez – Grades K-1

I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a major in Early Childhood Education. I went to  TIA since 3rd grade and had an amazing experience therefore wanted to come back and teach at TIA to make an amazing experience for my students! I plan on doing this by doing a lot of hands-on activities! I cannot wait to get to know each one of my students! Click this link to go to Ms. Canez’s teacher’s page

Teacher: Virginia Rodriguez – Grades 2-3-4 

I am the teacher for 2, 3, 4 at TIA East. I went to school at Pima Community College. I am also a former TIA student. I love to travel and see new places. My very first out of the country trip was to China with TIA.  Before working at TIA, I worked in business management. I enjoy spending time with my children and spending time with close friends and family. I am looking forward to growing with TIA for many more years to come.  Click this link to go to Mrs. Rodriguez’s teacher’s page

Teacher: Rubina Herrera – Grades 5-6 

I am from Tucson, AZ, and am teaching at TIA East as the 5th – 6th-grade teacher. I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I love going on adventures and am a huge animal lover. Before going to college I did go to TIA broadway from grades k-4th, then I went to and graduated from TIA west campus. I have always loved kids and helping them. Teaching is one of my passions and I am so excited to get to know everyone. I believe that all classrooms should be a safe environment where students feel free to talk about certain appropriate topics with one another and to have fun while learning. I expect that my students and parents will be involved throughout the academic year and to participate in activities I will provide. Although COVID is here, I do plan on making this year a really fun time for my students to enjoy. Click this link to go to Ms. Herrera’s teacher’s page

Teacher: Jonathan Basurto – Grades 7-12 ELA/SS 

I grew up in Tucson and graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School.  After two years at NAU, I graduated from the University of Arizona and moved to Los Angeles where I was an actor and then a manager of an international sports marketing firm. I worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clippers, Kings, and Chivas USA. I decided to come back to Tucson to focus on my faith and was led to TIA.
We have an exceptional business program that was created by Eller College of Entrepreneurship at U of A, where students learn to dress professionally, build their resumes, build websites, build pamphlets in different languages, speak formally, and yes, even learn to shake hands before an interview with a professional on the career of their choice.  We have had multiple visits from politicians like Congressman Grijalva and Juan Ciscomani, business owners from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We compete against other high schools from Tucson yearly in the Arizona Financial Face-Off where students show off their understanding of financial stability. Click this link to go to Mr. Basurto’s teacher’s page

Teacher: William Chambers – Grades 7-12 Math & Science 

I am the Math/Science teacher for grades 6-12. I have been a teacher for over 25 years. I have taught in Mexico, Gabon West Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, and Peru. I have enjoyed being a teacher and consider myself lucky to have traveled doing my job. I graduated with a B. S. in GeoScience from the University of Arizona. I also received and an MS from South Eastern Florida University in Curriculum Instruction and Technology. I also have over 70 semester hours in professional development classes. As a military dependent, I have been traveling for most of my life. I have been to six of the seven continents and look forward to the day I will be able to go to Antarctica. I consider myself to be lucky to be a teacher.

“Every truth has four corners. As a teacher, I give you one corner and it is for you to find the other three.” Confucius Click this link to go to Mr. Chamber’s teacher’s page

Xiuqing Sun – Chinese Teacher – All Grades & Campuses

I went to China Communication University and have a degree in Media Management. In China I taught Chinese to foreigners before I moved to the U.S. I’ve been teaching Chinese at TIA since 2012. I have traveled to Thailand, Japan, Korea, China and around the U.S.  I cannot give a direct translation but my favorite quote is something like this; “If I walk with two other people, I can learn from at least one of them.” It shows humility and the willingness to learn from different people, regardless of their age, background or beliefs.

Teacher: Ruth Smith – Spanish – TIA & East

Hola! My name is Ruth Smith and I am from Costa Rica. English is my second language. I have over 25 years of experience working with students. I have done missionary work in Latin America where I worked as a translator (English/ Spanish) and interpreter. In Costa Rica, I was a student at the University of Science and Technology (ULACIT) where I started my Bachelor’s degree in Science Education with an emphasis on preschool bilingual education. Click this link to go to Mrs. Smith’s teacher’s page

Nicholas Mares – SPED TA

You can pick up a printed homework packet from your school between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. They are also available to download here.

CALL US TODAY…enroll your child at TIA

Tucson International Academy East 

Principal: Mr. Peter Meehan
450 North Pantano Road
Tucson, AZ 85710

Phone (520) 792-3255 ext 1400 or (520)722-9651