Corralling first graders in the classroom gave Tahnee Phan a crash course in creating systems that enable learning. But she never imagined her teaching career would one day lead her to the business side of schools. Now, more than two decades later, she’s applying what she learned as a teacher across her entire district.

As assistant superintendent of business services for Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD), Phan sees her role as bridging the gap between the operational and instructional sides of education. “This position wasn’t on my BINGO card,” she admits. “But encouragement from others around me gave me the chance to consider other things I could do in my district to serve the community and benefit students.” Phan began her career as a classroom teacher in 2000, during a statewide teacher shortage. Over the years, she taught multiple grade levels, from first grade through middle school, before moving into administration. That path took her through nearly every layer of school leadership: assistant principal, high school principal and, ultimately, district leadership.

Serving in so many different roles across GGUSD also gave Phan a firsthand understanding of what district leaders call “The Garden Grove Way” – a culture rooted in collaboration, fiscal responsibility and always putting students first. Before assuming her current role, she served as director of K-12 educational services, overseeing categorical funding, grants and compliance reporting. The position introduced her to district finance and helped her understand how operational systems shape the classroom experience.

She quickly realized that her years as a principal gave her a unique perspective. “Having interfaced with all the departments, I could see how each of them helped me as a principal,” she says. “I could put on the principal hat and help both sides of the house navigate and communicate.”

That mindset now defines her leadership philosophy. Phan frequently speaks about “systems” – a concept she traces back to her years in the classroom – where routines and consistency helped students thrive. Today, she applies the same thinking at the district level, analyzing and refining operational systems that support 36,000 students across GGUSD.

For Phan, systems are more than just technical processes; they’re collaborative engines powered by people, communication and a shared commitment to the district’s strategic goals. Systems, Phan notes, require constant fine-tuning.  

Whether addressing concerns from school sites or evaluating district processes, she focuses on listening, understanding the root problem and identifying how to make the system work better for people. That people-centered mindset is especially evident in her approach to service. Operational staff, she says, exist to support principals and school sites so educators can focus on students rather than troubleshooting facilities or logistics.

Her leadership also reflects GGUSD’s reputation for prudent fiscal planning and long-term stability. As districts across California face declining enrollment, rising pension costs, inflationary pressures and attendance-related funding challenges, Phan has helped lead efforts to ensure GGUSD remains financially stable, while continuing to invest in strong academic programs, competitive employee compensation and benefits, and comprehensive student supports.

Experiencing public education at multiple levels has given Phan a deep appreciation for CASBO’s advocacy work, which helps policymakers understand how their decisions impact existing district systems.

“We’re the boots on the ground. We know,” she says. “I’m grateful to CASBO to have that voice as a collective advocate for change.”