Alumni Teachers Series

Bloom where You are Planted

Winner of a National School Public Relations Association Award of Merit!

Here in JUSD, many of our incredible teachers and instructional staff were once Jurupa Unified students who now give back to the community that shaped them. To celebrate their unique contributions to our district, we collected some of their inspiring stories in a three-part series. The fact that our alumni so often return to serve their community is a testament to the enduring, exceptional culture here at JUSD.

Watch the full series below or scroll further to view each segment separately.

Full Series

Part 1

30+ years of service

🐼 Lisa Cook

Current school site: Peralta Elementary School

Subject: 4th grade

Years serving in JUSD: 31

JUSD schools attended: Pacific Avenue Elementary School, West Riverside Elementary School, Mission Middle School, and Rubidoux High School ('84)

"JUSD has a tradition of excellence going back a hundred-plus years. I worked at Glen Avon when we celebrated the school's hundred-year anniversary. I love that our schools have been such an important part of the Jurupa Valley community."

🐱 Toni Fletcher

Current school site: Mira Loma Middle School

Subject: English Language Arts

Years serving in JUSD: 33

JUSD schools attended: Van Buren Elementary School, Jurupa Jr. High School, and Rubidoux High School ('84)

"JUSD has many great programs for both students and parents. In addition, it's refreshing that teachers have the ability to give instruction that allows them to use a variety of tools to teach."

🎵 Hector Sanchez

Current school site: Pacific Avenue Academy of Music

Subject: 5th grade

Years serving in JUSD: 30

JUSD schools attended: West Riverside Elementary School, Mission Middle School, and Rubidoux High School ('84)

"[JUSD] teachers are dedicated to their students and work incredibly hard every day. We've always risen to the cause and have faced and overcome many challenges over the years."

Part 2

5-10 years of service

🐆 Candy Acosta

Current school site: Jurupa Valley High School

Subject: Instructional Aide

Years serving in JUSD: 6

JUSD schools attended: Mission Bell Elementary School, Mira Loma Middle School, and Jurupa Valley High School ('14).

"JUSD is special because many of us who were once students here choose to come back and give to our community."

👩‍🏫 Korina Díaz

Current school site: Pedley Elementary School

Subject: Dual Immersion Kindergarten

Years serving in JUSD: 7

JUSD schools attended: Pedley Elementary, Mira Loma Middle School, and Jurupa Valley High School ('08)

"My dream was always to become a teacher and teach in the District/School that I attended as a child. That dream came true! I am now working in the same elementary school I went to, Pedley Elementary, and I am working with one of my former teachers."

🐲 Katherine Gomez

Current school site: West Riverside Elementary School

Subject: 1st grade

Years serving in JUSD: 8

JUSD schools attended: Rustic Lane Elementary School, Mission Middle School, Rubidoux High School, Patriot High School ('08)

"What I think is special about JUSD is the strong sense of family and belonging. As soon as I started teaching at West Riverside Elementary I felt it right away. I work with some of the people I went to school with and it makes it that much more welcoming."

Part 3

Less than 5 years of service

💪 Vaughan Almeida

Current school site: Patriot High School

Subject: Science

Years serving in JUSD: 3

JUSD schools attended: Sunnyslope Elementary School, Jurupa Middle School, and Patriot High School ('12)

"JUSD is special to me because it is home for me. This district taught me everything I know. I grew up in this district and have so many fond memories."

🐆 Jorge Rodriguez

Current school site: Jurupa Valley High School

Subjects: Science and Link Crew

Years serving in JUSD: 3 (previously a substitute teacher)

JUSD schools attended: West Riverside Elementary School, Jurupa Middle School, Jurupa Valley High School ('10)

"In addition to giving back to my community, I really want our students at JUSD to thrive. I love to give our students the confidence I was given at JUSD when I was a student."

👩‍🚀 Monica Sanchez

Current school site: Del Sol Academy

Subject: 1st grade

Years serving in JUSD: 2

JUSD schools attended: Troth Street Elementary School, Mira Loma Middle School, Jurupa Valley High School ('16)

"Compared to other districts, this district has made me feel the most welcomed and valued and shows appreciation for their staff and community."

🦅 Robert Stover

Current school site: Rubidoux High School

Subject: Resource Specialist, Math

Years serving in JUSD: 1 (previously a substitute teacher)

JUSD schools attended: Mission Middle School, Rubidoux High School ('98)

"The diversity of cultures I attended school with had a huge impact on my childhood and is probably what I value most from my time as a JUSD student. I had a wonderful High School experience at RHS."

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Bloom where You are Planted

Alumni-Teachers-Series