Leslie Chao

Hello. My name is Leslie Chao and I am a new instructor at SPSCC. I'm originally from Southern California where I swam, played water polo, and surfed. I earned my B.A. at the University of California at Santa Cruz in biology with an emphasis in marine science. My focus was benthic ecology where I gained an interest in hydrothermal vent communities. I earned my M.S. from Western Washington University where I majored in molecular biology with an emphasis in oceanography. My thesis research was on microbial ecology and phylogeny at hydrothermal vent communities. I have spent the past 14 years in Portland where I teach biology at Portland Community College and raise my 8 year old son. I enjoy swimming, hiking, walking, crafting, accumulating cute stuff, and enjoying the great outdoors.... but I don't like camping. I have a review page where my son and I go to parks and on local hikes and review it from an adult's perspective and a kid's perspective. 

 

Since I am a newb at SPSCC, I don't have a reputation yet. I do have 18 years of teaching experience and 14 years at the community college level. My students describe me as fair, hardworking, down-to-Earth, savage, classy, bougie, ratchet, sassy, and moody too... HAHA. My goal is to use as many modalities as possible reach out to all of my students. Equity, inclusion, fairness, and accessibility is of paramount importance. I may not be perfect but I will try my hardest to give you the best educational experience possible.

 

One more thing about me. I absolutely LOVE my job. I can't believe that I get to teach biology for a living. The reason why I love my job is because of you. You are one of a kind and can accomplish anything. Let me help you get there. Thank you for reading my biography. I really look forward to getting to know you... even if it is virtually. :)