About the Teacher

Lena (pronounced Lenna, with a short e sound) Al-Rayess has been working in public education for over 15 years. 

She earned her bachelor's degree in English/creative writing from the University of Redlands, located in Southern California. After graduating, she moved to Utah and needed a job, so she began substitute teaching because she was told it was easy. It wasn't exactly easy, but it did help her realize she loved teaching!

 

She went on to earn her master's of education and teaching credentials in English and ESL from the University of Utah. She has taught high school English and creative writing as well as university writing courses. She also spent time working in graduate admissions and recruitment at both the University of Utah and UC Davis before she began teaching English at Highlands/CICA.

 

Lena is originally from the Los Angeles area (go Dodgers!) and has lived in Sacramento for over four years now. She lives with her husband, two young children, and a cat.