Patti Valella is an Assistant Professor of Life Sciences at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, CA. She has been teaching for almost 30 years, joining LBCC in Fall 2016. Patti’s initial appointment was as an undergraduate teaching assistant at Michigan State University. She has taught at universities, 4-year colleges, and community colleges. Patti prefers the community college setting where she can work closely with students to help them reach their potential.

Patti has taught a variety of courses including Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Biology, Human Biology, Human Nutrition, and Biology for Non-Majors. She also taught Basic Biology, a course designed to help students learn how to learn, including test-taking skills and study techniques. Patti’s additional background as a Learning Specialist working one-on-one with college students who have learning disabilities, and as the Life Sciences Education Director at a science center educating the public about science, have helped her develop a teaching style that reaches all types of learners. She enjoys helping students discover their strengths and teaching them how to learn so they can be successful in any course.​