Janet Werner joined the Parent Education department at ACE in 2002.  Since that time she has worked as a Gymkids instructor, preschool teacher, and parent educator.  Janet brings a wealth of experience to her classes.  A former IT specialist with Hewlett Packard, Janet switched her focus to the education of young children and parents beginning her teaching career as a substitute for Sunnyvale School District.  Janet is devoted to her family. She enjoys biking, running, hiking and traveling with her husband Kevin, and daughters Rebecca and Elisabeth. Never afraid to take on a new challenge, Janet recently completed French lessons in preparation for a trip to Montreal.  She is also active in her community.  In addition to volunteering at her church, Janet recently completed the Sunnyvale Ambassador program and is sharing that training and experience with her students and coworkers. Janet's commitment to family and community can be seen in all that she does. The children, parents and staff of Bright Beginnings preschool benefit from her cheerful, enthusiastic, competent demeanor.

Valerie Kruczynski began teaching social studies in the high school concurrent classes in the fall of 2006.  Earlier that year, she retired as a school administrator after teaching for nearly 25 years in four states.  Valerie has a Master¹s degree in public administration from Notre Dame de
Namur University.

The high school concurrent classes help students make up deficits so that they can graduate.  Students attend class five hours a week for ten weeks and receive five credits.  Valerie assists the students in world history, U.S. history, government, and economics.  Valerie majored in political
science while at the University of Oregon, and also has a minor in history. Her knowledge of history makes it possible to meet the needs of the students in these classes.

In the fall of 2007, Valerie also began teaching a concurrent class in literature.  In this class, she challenges the students to become better readers and better writers.  Fiction and non-fiction stories are read and analyzed, and students work hard to improve their critical thinking skills. Valerie finds her students to be motivated to improve their vocabulary and their oral English skills.

Outside the classroom, Valerie has a wide variety of interests.  She loves spending time in the garden, and also enjoys attending movies, theater, and the ballet.  Valerie has two married sons, and three grandchildren.  She greatly enjoys traveling to various parts of the world.  Future plans may include teaching English to children in Poland this summer.zyn

 Martha Lampert began volunteering in the ATLAS program in 2004.  With two young children, she could not work full time, but she wanted to continue teaching.  Before having children, Martha had taught elementary school. Prior to becoming a teacher, she was a musician, playing with orchestras and ensembles all over the Bay Area.

Currently Martha teaches one ATLAS class and, beginning in January, 2008, she will be piloting a new class that will focus on reading, writing and grammar.  She really enjoys working with adult students and tutors at ACE.  Again and again, I am so impressed and delighted by my students¹ dedication and the amazing experiences, stories and knowledge each one brings to class.²

In class, Martha makes it a priority to get to know her students and to make sure they know they are welcome and their goals are taken seriously. Knowing a students needs and goals helps Martha and her volunteer tutors design individualized lesson plans that will best suit each student. Martha wants to make sure that each student¹s time in class is well-spent and productive, and she wants each student to enjoy learning as much as she enjoys teaching.  In an ATLAS classroom, where the teacher facilitates instruction for students through tutors, Martha multi-tasks easily and attends to both student and tutors needs cheerfully.

In addition to teaching at ACE, Martha spends a lot of time taking care of her children and running with her dog, Possum.  She also enjoys cooking and reading.  Students and volunteer tutors have endless recipes and book recommendations for her to try out.

Bob Yee has been teaching Adult Ed. Classes since 1975. He started teaching Tai Chi classes for Sunnyvale-Cupertino Adult Ed. in March of 1994. He continues to teach Tai Chi at two senior centers, as well as, Beginning and Intermediate Ukulele. He is highly respected and loved by his students. Bob has a deep commitment to his community and has been a very active volunteer with the Cupertino Senior Center. He coordinates and is responsible for the weekly golf program, annual golf tournament, and annual Hawaiian Luau. Bob is an accomplished rhythm guitarist. He has played for several local Big Bands, and in 1991, he and two other people formed the Cupertino Swing Band for the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Dept. Music is his favorite past time, and now, with students from his ukulele classes, entertains regularly at retirement and convalescent complexes around the community. Bob was honored to received two City of Cupertino Awards: Civic Service Award (1991), a Bob Yee nd the CREST AWARD (2002).