About Us

President:   Kai Brown     ceapres@me.com

Bio:  I moved to Sunnyvale at age 9 and started attending CUSD schools, then matriculated to FUHSD.  After High School I moved to Northern California, “behind the redwood curtain”, to attended Humboldt State University where I studied Biology, German and Social Studies.  After graduating I enrolled in Humboldt’s teacher credentialing program where I received my clear single subjects teaching credential.   I started teaching in CUSD in 1994 at Cupertino Middle school then transferred to Kennedy Middle School.   I became interested in being an active part of CEA in my fourth year of teaching and have served as a site rep., vice president, and president. I also served on our  bargaining team before returning as CEA president.  

Vice President: Marc Kulla: mkulla@hotmail.com

After a 20 year career as a software engineer I began teaching middle school in 2006. At Kennedy Middle school I have taught all math courses in 7th and 8th grades up through Geometry. I currently teach 7th grade Algebra along with two elective classes: Java Programming and Creative Media. In addition to being on Kennedy's FAC for countless years, I joined the bargaining team in 2019 and look forward to continuing in that role. I have two children, both who went through CUSD at Meyerholz (CLIP Program) and Kennedy, and on to Monta Vista in FUHSD. Both attended UC Irvine for various majors. 

Treasurer:  Susan Hansen     susanfhansen@gmail.com

Bio:  I have always admired the good work that is done by our CEA and I am now proud to serve as your CEA Treasurer.

This is my 17th year teaching at Cupertino Union School District where I teach 8th grade Science. I have taught grades 6-8 in many different subject areas including, Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, Journalism, Technology, Yearbook, and Exploratory Wheel.

I am a native of Santa Clara Valley where I attended elementary school in Sunnyvale and high school in Santa Clara. I graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.  Ten years after graduating from CAL, I completed my M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Santa Clara University.  After 20 years of working in technology and volunteering as frequently as I could in my own children's classrooms, I decided that I wanted to work with kids and grow new scientists, so I made a career change to teaching.

Communications Director:  Mary Ann Cunningham mcunningham043@gmail.com

My first experience with CUSD was as a parent when my children attended Stocklmeir Elementary, Cupertino Middle School, and Homestead High School. My son, who has special needs, attended Regnart, Dilworth, Eisenhower, Cupertino Middle School, Lawson Middle School, and then, he went on to Lynbrook High School. Both have since graduated.

Once I earned my BA in Child Development and teaching credential, I started teaching in CUSD and have been teaching in this district for 22 years. During my first three years, I was an ELD teacher at Muir Elementary.  I’ve taught students from kindergarten to eighth grade, within and outside of CUSD.

My purpose in joining CEA is to see if we could help increase communication between teachers and district personnel.  I have been a Site Representative at Muir or Stocklmeir for many, many years, as well as CEA Vice President.  In this ever complex world, teaching has becoming more demanding. However, I believe if we speak up and get involved, we can make positive changes that benefit all. 

Upper Director and State Council Representative:  Ruth Eller   rutheller@sbcglobal.net

Bio:  I have been teaching for over 34 years.  I started out at private school but moved to Lincoln at CUSD in 1996.  At Lincoln I first taught primary SDC, but after 4 years moved back to my first love...4th grade!  As a former private school teacher, I was given no say in my contract so when I moved to CUSD, I was immediately amazed that teachers were given a say, because of union bargaining!  I could hardly believe that there were rules the district had to abide by!  For example, at the private school, staff meetings were every week and could be as long as 2 hours!  So I immediately started attending CEA meetings, then I became a Lincoln CEA rep, then the lead rep.  For the last 3 years I have been the upper elementary director and serve on the CEA Eboard.

I remain passionate about teaching and passionate about CEA!

Special Education Director: 

State Council Representative:  We Need You!

Marc Kulla: mkulla@hotmail.com

After a 20 year career as a software engineer I began teaching middle school in 2006. At Kennedy Middle school I have taught all math courses in 7th and 8th grades up through Geometry. I currently teach 7th grade Algebra along with two elective classes: Java Programming and Creative Media. In addition to being on Kennedy's FAC for countless years, I joined the bargaining team in 2019 and look forward to continuing in that role. I have two children, both who went through CUSD at Meyerholz (CLIP Program) and Kennedy, and on to Monta Vista in FUHSD. Both attended UC Irvine for various majors. 

Suzanne Matheny:

Rob Hodges   rhodges68@gmail.com

Bio:  I was born and raised in San Jose. I have been active in CEA as a representative for almost all the years I've taught in CUSD.  I have has taught grades K-6 both in CUSD and in the state of Georgia.  I have also taught special education, music and spent two years as a technology specialist helping teachers incorporate technology into their curriculum.  The favorite highlight of my career was being one of the original creators of Murdock-Portal here in Cupertino back in the mid 1990s. 

When I'm not teaching, I'm active in community theater and serve on the board of a new Silicon Valley theater group.  When not spending my nights rehearsing, I like to curl up with a good book and my rescue dog, Burnsie.  I also enjoy playing the piano and spending time with family and friends.