Rebecca Lee

Researcher • Digital Archivist • Educator • Optician Apprentice • Maker

San Francisco Bay Area, California

Professional Profile

Multidisciplinary professional with experience in education, independent research, digital archiving, public history, and technical manufacturing. Since 2009, I have worked in education and other people-centered roles while developing an independent body of research focused on Anna May Wong, Asian American representation, and classic Hollywood.

I am currently an Optician Apprentice in the CSSO National Optician Apprenticeship Program while continuing my long-term film history, archival, and writing projects.

Work Experience

Optician Apprentice

CSSO National Optician Apprenticeship Program | August 2026–Present

  • Participating in a structured optician apprenticeship program combining optical education with preparation for hands-on clinical experience.
  • Studying anatomy of the eye, optical terminology, refractive properties of the eye, and interpretation and transposition of prescriptions.
  • Developing foundational knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists.
  • Preparing for placement in an optical office to complete required clinical training hours and develop practical optical skills.
  • Participating in live instruction, apprenticeship meetings, and continuing optical education.

Early Childhood Education

Preschool Teacher & Early Childhood Educator | 2009–2026

  • Worked with young children and families in preschool and early childhood education settings.
  • Planned and supported developmentally appropriate classroom activities, routines, and learning experiences.
  • Communicated with families, teachers, administrators, and other members of school communities.
  • Maintained organized, safe, and supportive classroom environments.
  • Developed extensive experience in communication, observation, problem-solving, adaptability, and working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Independent Pet & House Sitting

Pet & House Sitter | 2017–2026

  • Operated an independent pet and house-sitting service throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Managed client communication, scheduling, consultations, bookings, payments, and ongoing client relationships.
  • Provided individualized care for multiple types of companion animals.
  • Maintained clients’ homes and followed detailed care instructions while owners were away.
  • Built long-term relationships with repeat clients through reliability, communication, and attentive care.

Film History, Research & Digital Archives

The Gallery of Anna May Wong

Founder, Researcher & Digital Archivist

Independent research and public-history project dedicated to preserving and interpreting the life, work, and legacy of Chinese American actress Anna May Wong.

  • Research Wong’s films, television appearances, stage work, travels, collaborators, public image, and personal history.
  • Locate and examine photographs, films, television programs, interviews, newspapers, magazines, archival collections, and other historical materials.
  • Compare primary and secondary sources to identify conflicting accounts, unsupported claims, and gaps in the historical record.
  • Digitally organize and preserve historical photographs, video, documents, and research materials.
  • Produce educational videos and historical media for The Gallery of Anna May Wong YouTube channel.
  • Create accessible film-history content for Anna May Wong Fans and other digital platforms.
  • Write about Wong within the broader histories of Hollywood, Asian American cinema, race, representation, and twentieth-century popular culture.

The Anna May Wong Compendium: From May to Zahrat

Author & Researcher | Forthcoming from BearManor Media

  • Researching and writing an A-to-Z reference work about Anna May Wong’s life, career, films, collaborators, travels, performances, and cultural legacy.
  • Cross-reference archival materials, period sources, books, scholarly research, and other documentation.
  • Maintain research timelines, notes, citations, bibliographic information, and source documentation.
  • Research historical photographs, archives, reproduction rights, and potential materials for publication.
  • Investigate discrepancies and frequently repeated claims within existing Wong scholarship and popular histories.

Technical & Manufacturing Training

Humanmade — San Francisco, California

Next Generation Manufacturing Training, CNC Machining | 2026

  • Trained in manual and CNC machining in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
  • Used Fusion 360 for CAD/CAM, 3D modeling, and machining toolpaths.
  • Operated Tormach and Genmitsu CNC equipment.
  • Worked with manual mills and completed additional manual lathe training.
  • Used drill presses, bandsaws, grinders, sanders, and other shop equipment.
  • Completed projects involving drilling, engraving, pocketing, chamfering, contouring, and finishing.
  • Read blueprints and technical drawings.
  • Followed machine-shop safety procedures and manufacturing workflows.

Education

Skyline College

Associate Degree | In Progress

Continuing college studies with coursework in film, screenwriting, research, and related subjects.

Research & Digital Skills

Research: Archival research • Primary and secondary source research • Historical newspapers and periodicals • Film and television research • Fact-checking • Source verification • Historical timelines • Citation management

Digital Archives & Media: Digital preservation • Image and media organization • Metadata • Digitization research • Video editing • Media preparation • YouTube publishing • Zotero • Trilium Notes • Zettlr

Writing & Public History: Long-form historical writing • Educational writing • Research summaries • Script writing • Caption writing • Source analysis • Public scholarship • Social media content

Technical: Fusion 360 • CAD/CAM • CNC machining • Manual machining • Blueprint reading • Digital file organization

Areas of Research

Anna May Wong • Classic Hollywood • Asian American Film History • Chinese American Representation • Race and Representation in Hollywood • Film Preservation • Archival Media • Twentieth-Century Film and Popular Culture