For more than three decades, Lori Haven has resided in the San Jose area. She first came to California from the East Coast in summer 1979 to complete her undergraduate education at San José State University. Founded in 1857, San José State holds the distinction of serving as the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. Ms. Haven completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication at San José State after transferring her credits from State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh. For two years, Lori Haven studied speech communication at SUNY Plattsburg, located in the far northeastern edge of the state near Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.

In 2002, Lori Haven accepted her first role with the school district, teaching a combined fifth and sixth grade class at Windmill Springs Elementary School. Since then, she has taught the first and third grade at Hellyer Elementary and sixth grade at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary. At present, she teaches sixth graders at Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary School. With a Master’s in Educational Administration, Ms. Haven holds the credentials to become a school principal, should she choose to leave the classroom.

Prior to settling into a steady career in teaching at various elementary schools in San Jose’s Franklin-McKinley School District, Lori Haven worked for four years as a Logistics Specialist at NASA Ames Research Center. Originally founded in 1939 as an aircraft research facility to conduct wind-tunnel experiments, NASA Ames Research Center has grown to track and study space flight and information technology. At NASA Ames, Lori Haven directed the movement of equipment, goods, and personnel associated with the Mars Exploration program. She also provided administrative support to Dr. Brian Glass, a senior scientist on the Haughton-Mars Project.

A charitable individual, Lori Haven contributes to various charitable organizations, including Goodwill Industries International, Inc. In her free time, she relaxes by crocheting or practicing yoga. Ms. Haven enjoys visiting and participating in Renaissance Fairs, as well as reading science fiction.