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 to view or download Ms.M’s May 23 newsletter
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 to view or download Mrs. Rodriguez May 23 Newsletter
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 to view or download Ms. Ruby’s May 23 Spring School Newsletter
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 to view or download Mr. Chambers July 7 newsletter
Teacher: Chad Hrenko – Grades 7-12 ELA/SS
I have been teaching for over 5 years. Most of my career has been in my business Tutoring Club of Tucson. I have experience student teaching in Massachusetts, SAT prep courses at The Gregory School, and small classes at Tutoring Club.
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: Bianka Tanori – Spanish – TIA & East
April Reidy – Special Ed
I was born in Anchorage Alaska as an Air Force brat. I moved to Tucson when I was 13 years old. I have an MA in special education and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, all from U of A. My husband is from New Zealand so we do a lot of traveling. My son is in the Navy stationed in Japan and My daughter is a sophomore in high school. When not working I am playing with my three big fuzzy fur babies or drinking Starbucks.
Ripley – April’s Special Service Therapy Dog
“Ripley” is a seven-year-old golden retriever. She has been working in public schools for the last five years. Ripley has been trained both as a service animal and a therapy animal. When she is not in school she visits friends in hospice care. She really enjoys running and playing and especially swimming with her other two fuzzy sisters at home.
CALL US TODAY…enroll your child at TIA
Tucson International Academy East
Principal: Mr. Larry Speta
450 North Pantano Road
Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone (520) 792-3255 ext 1400 or (520)722-9651