Shawn McMullen Chen, Neighbor

After working my way through the Manhattan Beach schools during the recession-riddled 1970s and John Hughes 80s, I moved across town to attend UCLA. I earned my degree in English Literature and Special Fields (Italian language and literature)--and headed home to manage the cheese department at the old Mrs. Gooch's located in the "Red Barn Building" on Pier Avenue.

Taking time to read, write, bike, practice yoga and martial arts led to a solo sojourn through Italy followed by graduate school at UCLA. 1 teaching credential and MEd. later, I began my career at Leuzinger High School.

Now at Mira Costa High School, I spend my days teaching in the very room where my husband and I were classmates as high school freshmen. Our three kids attend Manhattan Beach Schools; we appreciate spending our leisure time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins--Manhattan Beach has been "very very good to me".