I took Lisa’s Introduction to Motorcycle class at SF City College and was struck by her teaching style. She is extremely proficient in her field (knows the inside/out of mechanics) and at the same time held her own in a room full of men. At times, the boys did throw some lewd questions her way, but she answered them with a smile and professionalism. If you are a lover of anything to do with motorcycles, I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for one of her classes.

How did your passion for riding, fixing and ‘creating’ motorcycle start?

I got started as a motorcycle mechanic because I worked at a motorcycle shop, rode a motorcycle and had an interest in learning how motorcycles worked. For years, my life was motorcycles, working on bikes, going on rides, then hanging out and talking about bikes when I wasn’t working on or riding them.

Do you still own a body shop? If not, what was your typical day like as an owner of a body shop?

Before I started teaching at CCSF in the Automotive/Motorcycle department, I worked at two of the local shops in San Francisco and had my own motorcycle business. For anyone wanting to start their own shop I would recommend having a lot of experience working on bikes first. It is also good to specialize in a particular bike, so you don’t lose a lot of time figuring out the subtleties of each motorcycle.

How did you you get started as an instructor at CCSF?

For years, I was like many folks in San Francisco always taking night classes in whatever subject I had an interest in. After I moved to the Bay view and had my own garage I used to volunteer as a student teacher in the Motorcycle program because I loved the people and the environment at the Evans campus. Soon after that I started a teaching the Moto 60 class.

What was the biggest challenge/s in teaching?

The biggest challenge I had as a teacher was overcoming my stage fright. Each semester it has gotten easier to be in front of the class. For me, teaching the motorcycle class blends some of the things I love most; motorcycles, people, community, mechanics, and sustainability all come together in the class. It feels good to give what I have and have so much come back from my students. Every semester, I watch students come to class eager to learn how to work on motorcycles and by the end of the semesters the students are actively engaged fixing motorcycles and know a lot about how they work. Watching them become empowered is really what it is all about.

What classes do you teach at CCSF?

At CCSF right now I am teaching an Auto 50 class and two Moto 80 classes. I love being at CCSF.

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do? Because I love it.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?

My two year old son, Loram, wakes up at sunrise daily.

Who is your inspiration?

Myles Horton, founder of the Highlander school, activist, socialist, and teacher; who influenced many great leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, is someone who I feel inspired by. His ideas on community empowerment and strategies for liberation are ideas that I try to incorporate into my teaching style.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?

Adeline or Augusta VanBuren, the first women to ride across country on motorcycles in 1916.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Burma Superstar

Your three rules to live by?
Practice presence, patience and love

Your favorite brand of motorcycle?

I don’t have a “favorite” motorcycle. I appreciate many dissimilar aspects of different motorcycles. I love Japanese motorcycle for their reliability. European motorcycles for their styling.

Your city/country of origin?
Salt Lake City, Utah

Your proudest accomplishment?
Being a single mother of two amazing boys.