at Kennedy Middle School
Staff Bios
Name: Trish Lucas
Position: Kindergarten & 1st Grade English Teacher
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Home town: Wyoming
All the places you’ve lived: Oregon (Portland, Tualatin, Eugene, Agness); Poitiers, France; Beijing, China
Favorite places you’ve visited: Old Summer Palace in Beijing, Great Wall about 7 different sections, Miao villages, Lijiang China, Bangkok, The Castles in the Loire Valley, Mont St. Michel, Pont D’Avignon and Lyon, Agness and the Oregon Coast
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Kung Fu Bistro and Wonder Wok
Favorite part of living in Eugene: The clean air and green trees, parks and trails, it is small and doesn’t take long to get anywhere in Eugene.
Favorite thing about our school: My favorite things about Chinese Immersion are the students and their families and that we get to learn Chinese.
Name: Haihui Wang
Position: Kindergarten & 1st Grade Mandarin Chinese Teacher
Home town: Beijing, China
Alma mater: Bowling Green State University, MA’ 03 – Rehabilitation Counseling in College of Education
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Kung Fu Bistro & Papa’s Soul Food
Favorite part of living in Eugene: Evergreen, natural and beautiful
Favorite thing about our school: Multicultural environment
Name: Xiaowen Jensen
Position: 2nd & 3rd Grade Mandarin Chinese Teacher
Home town: Shanghai, China
Alma mater: Portland State University (EMT) and Bushnell University (MAT)
Favorite thing about our school: I will be able to pass on my Chinese language and culture to our young generations.
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Cornucopia & Chinese restaurants
Name: Bren Techawongtham
Position: 2nd & 3rd Grade English Teacher
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Home town: Ashland, Oregon
All the places you’ve lived: California, Oregon, Japan, Taiwan
Favorite places you’ve visited: Kyoto (Japan), Koh Lipe (Thailand)
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Cornbread Cafe, Moo Ping Thai Street Food, Kung Fu Bistro
Favorite part of living in Eugene: I love the easy access to beautiful hiking trails.
Favorite thing about our school: Each grade level has just one class and they all get to stay together as they move up. Each class is a family!
Name: Karen Rayle
Position: 4th & 5th Grade English Teacher
Alma mater: University of Oregon
Favorite thing about our school: Small size, small classes, supportive parents
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Kung Fu Bistro, Angkor Cambodian Cafe, Cafe Roma (coffee and munchies)
Name: Siqin Taoli
Position: 4th & 5th Grade Mandarin Chinese Teacher
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Home town: Inner Mongolia/Shanghai, China. HCMC, Vietnam, Even Yehuda, Israel, Eugene, Oregon.
Alma mater: Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China – BC, University of Nevada – BA., University of Oregon – Dual MMs., Bushnell University – MAT.
Favorite thing about our school: Warm Community, fun kids, and playground.
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Ta Ra Rin Thai Cuisine, Cornucopia, Sichuan Bistro, Saigon Cafe, Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria, Prince Pucklers Ice cream.
Favorite part of living in Eugene: Beautiful nature, hiking trails, trees, and quietness.
Name: Stephen Thompson
Position: Music Teacher
Home town: Eugene, Oregon
All the places you’ve lived: Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, Spain, England, Germany, Vietnam, China, Israel
Favorite places you’ve visited: Tibet, Istanbul, Greece, Jordan, Jerusalem,
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: Ta-ra-rin Thai food
Favorite part of living in Eugene: Eugene is quiet and it is easy to get outdoors for hiking, fishing, and other activities
Favorite thing about our school: Friendly students and staff, small school
Name: Rachel Farkas
Position: PE Teacher
Name: Cindy Chan
Position: Bilingual Educational Assistant
Name: Kyrie Lucas
Position: Bilingual Educational Assistant
Name: Winnie Wang
Position: Utility Educational Assistant
Home town: QINGDAO, CHINA
All the places you’ve lived: QINGDAO, JINAN, NANJING, VENETA
Favorite places you’ve visited: SAN FRANCISCO
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: TACO TIME (VEGGIE BURRITO), Shari’s Cafe and Pies, Vietnam Restaurant, Yi-Shen, Legend of Szechuan, China Sun Buffet, Wheat Bay Uniquely Chengdu
Favorite part of living in Eugene: Bailey Hill
Favorite thing about our school: Chinese culture
Name: Kwasi Diehl
Position: SpEd Instructor
Name: Cynthia Wenks
Position: ELD Specialist
Name: Korey Rice
Position: Speech Specialist
Home town: Northeast Ohio
All the places you’ve lived: Ohio; Cornelius, OR; McMinnville, OR; Kyoungsanbuk-do, South Korea; Hyogo, Japan, unincorporated Lane County
Favorite places you’ve visited: It’s impossible to choose a favorite!
Favorite places to go eat in Eugene: My back porch
Favorite part of living in Eugene: All the advantages of a college town (good food, culture, events) while still being close to nature.
Favorite thing about our school: Besides the students? Its commitment to instilling a broad and inclusive world view.
Name: Jen Hebard
Position: Principal
Name: Scott Marsh
Position: Vice Principal
Name: Kimberly Sills
Position: Counselor
Name: Mallory Whitaker
Position: Secretary
Name: Mandy Osmundson
Position: Head Custodian