Meet the ATM Team
Ms. Buell as a Lakewood alumni and CSULB graduate, I take pride in being part of this diverse, plentiful community and help students put forth efforts that will help them with life-long skills and learning so they may live the life of their dreams.
Mr. Tang is a graduate of CSUDH! He has been teaching for 14 years and is currently ATM’s Algebra 2 teacher. When not teaching or coaching badminton (which he has done for 10 years), he enjoys spending time with his three young sons.
Ms. Zell is a product of LBUSD K-12 schools. As a Lakewood High School Alum, she is proud to have participated in Link Crew, ASB and softball during her time here. After Lakewood, she earned a full-ride scholarship for softball to Boise State University where she earned her B.A. in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Secondary Education. She then went on to CSULB for an M.A. in Math Education. Ms. Zell recently earned a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership at UCI. After four years of teaching, Ms. Zell has come full circle and is back at Lakewood teaching Abstract to Visual (Algebra 1 with Programming) as well as coaching softball. Go Wood!
Mr. Opkins received his Bachelor of the Arts in History at CSULB. He received his Master of the Arts in Educational Technology at CSULB. He has taught for 16 years at levels 7-12, teaching Social Science and Computer Technology. Outside of school he enjoys spending time with his family and watching baseball. He is an avid collector of turn of the century tobacco baseball cards.
Mrs. Kassir: I am a CSULB graduate. I have a degree in Biology and Physiology. I’ve been teaching Biology for 4 years. This is my first year at Lakewood. I love labs and hands-on activities and like to try new strategies and labs with my students. Outside school, I like to travel, shop and spend time with my family.
Kristina Kim is a Lakewood High School alumni, who went on to Cal State Long Beach to pursue her bachelors in Spanish and linguistics as well as her teaching credential in Spanish. She also had the opportunity to live and study in Mexico. Her masters was completed at Concordia University in Teaching curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Kim is very passionate about meshing the practical skill of learning Spanish, with the important computer, and technology skills needed for students to be successful in the 21st century, that ATM offers its students. She has two awesome children, a husband and loves to travel.
Lalita Buchanan teaches 10th grade English in the ATM pathway and is the ELA Coordinator for Lakewood HS. She grew up in SD, but has lived in Long Beach since attending CSULB as an undergraduate. She has a BA in English Education, a Secondary English credential, a Foundational Science credential, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from CSULB. Ms. B has had the opportunity to teach students as young as 4 and as old as 65, but the majority of her 15 years of experience has been working with middle and high school students. She has worked all over LBUSD as a reading specialist, an English and ELD teacher, an EL Coordinator, and as an instructional coach for the district ELA office. She is excited to be at Lakewood HS working with awesome ATM students and with multilingual learners!
Tom McNamee is an Alumni of Lakewood High School and of CSULB where he received his Bachelor's in English (creative writing) and minor in marketing. He was always interested in technology so he completed his masters with Full Sail University in Educational / Media Design and Technology. Since then, he has completely transitioned in computer science where he is now teaching AP Computer Science Principles, Product Design and running the eSports team. Mr. McNamee has taught for 15 years and has also been the boys tennis coach for 24 years. Outside of school - he is a Disney fan (formally worked with Disney for 10 years), into all sports (Go Lakers) and being a dad and husband.
I’m Lisa Cangro, and I have been a teacher at Lakewood for 18 years! I love teaching social studies and am currently teaching 12th grade U.S. Government/Economics and AP U.S. Government/Macroeconomics. I have lots of school spirit and would consider myself a supportive figure to students. Some of my hobbies include being outdoors and collecting and selling antiques and collectibles at a local shop. Preserving and sharing the past is a passion of mine!
Mr. Ottina has been a teacher for 24 years. He is our Pathway Lead Teacher. He graduated from UCI with a B.A. in Social Sciences and received a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from CSUDH. Mr. Ottina also has a Career Technology Education credential for Information Technology Communication (Computer Science) Mr. Ottina has taught many levels of mathematics at Lakewood, but he is currently teaching Exploring Computer Science. He also teaches AP Computer Science A. When not igniting the minds of our techie students, he enjoys racing sailboats!
Ms. Ramaty is originally from Washington D.C., but she has been living and teaching in Long Beach since 1997. She loves teaching Spanish at Lakewood High School and sharing her knowledge of world languages with her students. She received her BSed in Spanish and Education from West Chester University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction. She also studied Spanish Literature at the Universidad de Madrid Complutense in Spain. When she is not walking her two dogs or doing yoga, she loves to travel around the globe with her two children.
Mia Mendoza graduated from CSULB and is a Long Beach Native. She started at Lakewood High School last semester, and this is her first full year here as a teacher. When she isn’t teaching, Ms. Mia is traveling, going to Disneyland, finding the best places to eat, and spending time with her family and three dogs! Go Wood!
Ms. Smith Hello Lancer Family! I am the new 9th grade ATM Counselor at Lakewood High School. I grew up in South Pasadena and I've been an educator for over 20 years. As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, ongoing communication about the needs of our student body is essential.
I look forward to working with you and your children to support their academic, social and emotional growth.
