Meet Joni Griepp, the new LVN at Fox Road Elementary School and Ross Middle School
Joni Griepp

Sept. 11, 2026

Name: Joni Griepp

Family: Husband Jeff (married 20 years), with children Ethan (18), Logan (16), Laney (10)

Position for Hughson Unified School District: License Vocational Nurse at Fox and Ross

Where did you grow up? I was born in Dallas, Texas, but I grew up in Modesto and consider myself a Central Valley native. I graduated from Johansen High School in 2001 and then the Modesto Junior College Nursing Program in 2005. Four generations of my family have lived in this area, so being able to work and raise my family here is very special.

Why did you want to work for Hughson schools? I was so excited when I saw the position for LVN with HUSD. I love the small town feel and, even more, the sense of pride and community that Hughson has. I feel very fortunate and honored to be a part of the Hughson Huskies community!

What education, job, or life experience do you have that will help you do your job well? After graduating from nursing school, I worked in a local hospital in Acute Care Pediatrics and later in the ER, but most recently have had the privilege to be a full-time mom to my three kids. My experiences have taught me how to care for children and families during some of their most stressful and vulnerable moments. And I think my background has given me a strong foundation to be able to care for and to connect with our students in a meaningful way.

Share about a role model who made an impact on your life and where you are today? One of my role models was my Aunt Kathee, who worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 20 years before she became a nurse educator. She is the reason I went into nursing, and has always encouraged me to never stop learning, to set goals and go after them!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Family is everything to me, so of course, most of my favorite things to do involve my family. Whether it's watching my boys play sports, taking my daughter to gymnastics, paddle boarding on the lake, or walking the dog, we love being together. My husband, who is a firefighter, is a master on the Traeger and grill, so we also love cooking and enjoying our meals together. Most weekends after church, you can find my family at our favorite restaurant, La Parilla, which has become a bit of a family tradition. I also love to read, and will read just about anything! I tend to keep my husband up with my late-night reads because once I'm invested in a good book, it is hard for me to put it down! This summer, two of my favorite reads were The Count of Monte Cristo and Lonesome Dove, and Kristin Hannah is currently one of my favorite authors.

How can parents support you in your work? Parents play such an important role in the health of their students! I think the best way parents can support me in my work is by openly communicating and working with me as a partner when a concern comes up. Parents know their children better than anyone, so I want parents to feel comfortable reaching out to me with questions or concerns. I believe that together we can help students develop healthy habits and feel supported at school.

Meet Cheryl Diaz, part of Hughson Elementary School’s food service staff
Cheryl Diaz

Sept. 8, 2026

Name: Cheryl Diaz

Family: husband and our dog, Sadie

Position for Hughson Unified School District: Food service at Hughson Elementary School

Where did you grow up? Hughson

Why did you want to work for Hughson schools? It is my home place.

What education, job, or life experience do you have that will help you do your job well? I have had the privilege of working in school settings since 2012, from Chowchilla to Ceres and now Hughson! I believe in engaging perseverance, compassion, and integrity in my work life, and as a mom myself, I desire to encourage all ages of children to see their value and self-worth. Sometimes, a reassuring smile or a kind word is what they need in the moment.

Share about a role model who made an impact on your life and where you are today? My mom, Dorothy Johnson. She has a strong faith, she is a prayer warrior, and loves to encourage and help others. She served in various roles in our Hughson food service dept, faithfully for 28 years. She will be 90 this year! She has always loved children and has been a wonderful mom to my 3 brothers, myself and many others in our lives!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Family time, going to the ocean, being home.

How can parents support you in your work? Love your children well. They are a gift to all of us.

Meet Sandra Brock, Hughson’s new Cafeteria Monitor
Sandras Brock

September 4, 2026

Name: Sandra Brock

Family: Married with three daughters

Position for Hughson Unified School District: Cafeteria Monitor

Where did you grow up? Modesto

If you did not grow up in Hughson or nearby, what brought you to this area? We wanted a calmer, safer, and less busy neighborhood to raise our daughters.

Why did you want to work for Hughson schools? I volunteer a lot of my time on the PTC board and as a room mom, so I thought it would be beneficial to get a job as well.

What education, job, or life experience do you have that will help you do your job well? Being a mom, I’m frequently in the kitchen, so tasks like opening snacks, puncturing Capri Suns with straws, and cleaning up messes come naturally to me.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

My free time is mostly spent with my family. We attend sporting events and concerts, and we love to travel.  We’re looking forward to our next trip to Cancun, our favorite vacation destination.  

How can parents support you in your work? Teach your children how to open and close their fancy lunch boxes with multiple compartments. Remind them it’s important to clean up after themselves and parents please don't over-tighten the food canister.

Meet Amanda Brown, Hughson Elementary School’s new P.E. Paraeducator
Amanda Brown

Sept. 3, 2026

Name: Amanda Brown

School: Hughson Elementary School

Position for Hughson Unified School District: P.E. Paraeducator

Where did you grow up? Modesto, California

Why did you want to work for Hughson schools? By observing how people in the Hughson School District interact, it is clear that they enjoy working here, and I want to help cultivate that environment. It seems like a great place to grow.

What education, job, or life experience do you have that will help you do your job well? I have had many unique and unusual jobs over the years, but my experience as a parent of school-age children (pre-k, elementary, and high school) probably helps me the most in my current role.

Share about a role model who made an impact on your life and where you are today? My Aunt Heidi, who has always shown me how important it is to show up, be consistent, and keep on going.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love being outdoors and spending time with my family, going on trips to explore California's rich history and geography. One of my favorite close-to-home spots is Mercer Caverns, in Murphys. We also enjoy being involved with our church family and its activities, such as Awana and Vacation Bible School. My favorite place to head for the weekend would be the Pismo Beach area, with a quick stop at the waterslides. In my spare time, I enjoy reading fiction that is either suspenseful or just really funny.

How can parents support you in your work? Parents can support me by continuing to encourage their children to show up and do their best!

Meet Gabriela Pedraza-Saavedra, Hughson’s new Bilingual Paraeducator
Gabriela Pedraza-Saavedra 

Sept. 2, 2026

Name: Gabriela Pedraza-Saavedra

Position for Hughson Unified School District: Bilingual Paraeducator

Where did you grow up? Terra Bella, CA

If you did not grow up in Hughson or nearby, what brought you to this area?

I began a new chapter in my life. Moving to this area has given me the chance to step outside of my comfort zone, meet new people, and become part of a new community.

Why did you want to work for Hughson schools?

I really value the strong sense of community and the focus on helping students succeed. I also believe my skills and experience would allow me to contribute positively to the students, staff, and families in the Hughson community.

What education, job, or life experience do you have that will help you do your job well?

My life experiences have taught me the importance of patience, communication, responsibility, and understanding. Being bilingual allows me to communicate with students and families who may feel more comfortable speaking Spanish, and I understand how valuable it is to have someone who can help bridge that communication gap.

Share about a role model who made an impact on your life and where you are today?

One of my biggest role models has been my parents. They taught me the importance of working hard, treating others with kindness, and never giving up when things become difficult. They always encouraged me to believe in myself and reminded me that the way I treat others can make a lasting difference. Their example has helped shape who I am today and motivates me to be someone who encourages and supports others, especially children who may need an extra person in their corner.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy getting outdoors, relaxing, and taking time to recharge. Since I am new to the area, I’ve enjoyed being able to explore what the towns nearby have, such as coffee shops and shopping centers!

How can parents support you in your work?

Parents can support by sharing anything they feel may help me better understand and support their child. Every child is different, and parents know their children best. Working together and communicating about a student's strengths, needs, progress, and challenges can help us provide consistent support. I believe that when parents, teachers, and paraeducators work as a team, students have a stronger opportunity to feel confident and succeed.