Meet 7th-grade history teacher, Joseph La Rosa
Joseph La Rosa

Name: Joseph La Rosa

Family: My wife is Chloe La Rosa. I am the oldest son of Joe and Mary La Rosa, with two younger brothers, Kendall and Conner.

School: Ross Middle School

Position: 7th-grade history teacher

Experience and Education: 1st year teacher. I graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a history degree and am currently in the credential program at CSU Stanislaus 

What attracted you to Hughson? I have lived in Hughson for most of my life. The community and people are second to none, and I always knew I wanted to give back and help the next generation of student-athletes at Hughson.

What part of the subject you’ll be teaching interests you the most? I love so many different aspects of History, but I would probably say covering the Roman Empire. There is so much we can gather and help students understand. I also love helping students be able to break down their thoughts and views and engage in healthy discussions with classmates that lead to a place of understanding.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of the classroom? I am the wrestling coach at the High School and junior high, so that takes a lot of my time, haha! My wife and I enjoy nature and love to hike. We lead the youth group at the church we attend so that takes up the rest of our free time!

How did you decide to become a teacher? Growing up I had phenomenal history teachers who had a great impact on my life and I always wanted to be a coach and help individuals achieve their goals on a wrestling mat, and teaching and coaching go hand in hand.

Looking back, who is a teacher who made an impact in your life? I would say Mr. Kroll and Mr. Franca had a great impact on my life. Mr. Kroll was my 7th-grade history teacher, and he kick-started my passion for history. Mr. Franca was much the same in high school as he was a great storyteller, and he fueled my passion for history. Both showed me that if you are passionate about what you do, you can make a great difference in individuals' lives.

Why is your subject important for students to learn, and what do you want them to remember? History is important to learn because history repeats itself. Nothing is new under the sun. We either learn from history, and it helps us all make better informed choices, or we will fall into the same mistakes of the past. I want my students to remember that history is important to learn from, and it helps shape the world we live in today.

What are you most looking forward to about teaching for the Hughson Unified School District? I am most looking forward to working with students on a daily basis in the classroom. I strongly believe Hughson is a special place with the best students, teachers, administration, support staff- the list goes on! I am very excited to be a part of the district and help students succeed!

Meet 5th Grade Teacher, Daisy Erwin
Daisy Erwin

Name: Daisy Erwin

Family: Married with three kids

School: Fox Road Elementary School

Position: 5th Grade Teacher 

Experience and Education: I earned my BA in Elementary Education from Western Governors University and recently received my teaching credential from Teachers College of San Joaquin. I have three years of teaching experience and am currently in my fourth year.

I have worked with children since age 16, starting as a soccer coach and later supporting students through after-school programs, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County, and as a paraeducator in both general and special education settings.

What attracted you to Hughson? When my husband and I moved back to California from Oregon, our goal was to settle in Hughson to grow and raise our family. We love the close-knit community and small-town atmosphere.

What part of the subject you’ll be teaching interests you the most? What I love most about teaching 5th grade is guiding students at a pivotal point in their growth, both academically and personally. They’re ready to think critically, explore deeper concepts, and make connections across subjects. At the same time, they’re developing independence and learning to express themselves with confidence and empathy. Helping students find their voice and build lasting skills makes this work incredibly rewarding.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of the classroom? Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting, and reading.

How did you decide to become a teacher? I became a teacher because I believe in the power of education to shape lives. I was inspired by teachers who saw my potential and encouraged me to grow. Now, I strive to do the same—helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning.

Looking back, who is a teacher who made an impact in your life? Looking back, one teacher who made a lasting impact on me was my 7th/8th-grade teacher, Mrs. DeGrendel. She made every student feel seen and valued, no matter their background or ability. What stood out most was how she believed in us—even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. Her constant encouragement and high expectations taught me the importance of both compassion and accountability, values I now bring into my own classroom.

Why is your subject important for students to learn, and what do you want them to remember? Fifth-grade subjects are important because they lay the foundation for deeper learning and independent thinking. Students are moving beyond memorizing facts; they’re analyzing texts, solving multi-step math problems, exploring scientific inquiry, and understanding history in a broader context. These subjects help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.More than anything, I want students to remember that learning is meaningful and that they are capable. I hope they leave 5th grade feeling curious, confident, and ready to take on challenges with persistence and creativity.

What are you most looking forward to about teaching for the Hughson Unified School District? I’m excited to teach in the close-knit, small-town community of Hughson, where I can build meaningful relationships with students and families. Being part of this community allows me to support students’ growth in a personalized way and celebrate their achievements together.

Meet TK Teacher, Andrea Keenom
Andrea Keenom

Name: Andrea Keenom

Family: Married mom of two boys 

School: Hughson Elementary School

Position: TK Teacher

Experience and Education: I have two years of substitute teaching experience, with most of that time spent at Hughson Elementary. I also had the opportunity to sub at Fox Road Elementary and Ross Middle School. In addition, I completed one year of teaching Transitional Kindergarten at Ceres Unified School District. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Child Development from California State University, Stanislaus. 

What attracted you to Hughson? I attended and graduated from Hughson, so it holds a special place in my heart. I have great memories of this community, and I'm excited about the chance to give back to a place that means so much to me. 

What part of the subject you’ll be teaching interests you the most? I'm most interested in teaching students the foundational skills that set the stage for their future learning. It's rewarding to help them build confidence and curiosity from the very beginning.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of the classroom? My hobbies and interests outside of school consist of reading and spending time with my family. 

How did you decide to become a teacher? During my senior year of high school, I was a high school aide in a kindergarten classroom at Hughson Elementary. That experience showed me how much I loved being in a classroom. During this time, I decided I wanted to be a teacher.  

Looking back, who is a teacher who made an impact in your life? While there wasn't one specific teacher, I was fortunate to have several, such as Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Brenda, who made me feel truly cared for in their classrooms. Their kindness and support helped shape my positive experience in school. 

Why is your subject important for students to learn, and what do you want them to remember?  TK is a special and important year as it is often a child's first experience in school. My goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where students develop a love for learning that lasts with them throughout their education.  

What are you most looking forward to about teaching for the Hughson Unified School District? I am most looking forward to teaching at the school I once attended. It is incredibly special and meaningful to give back to this community. 

Meet 4th/5th grade Resource Teacher, Alexis Johnson
Alexis Johnson

Family: My boyfriend, Donald, and our two dogs, Myla and Scully 

School: Fox Road Elementary

Position: 4th/5th grade Resource Teacher 

Experience and Education: I previously worked as a substitute teacher and substitute para before teaching 7th grade Math, Science, PE, and Gardening last school year.  I have a bachelor's in Liberal Studies from Stanislaus State, and I am pursuing an Education Specialist credential at Merced County Office of Education.  

What attracted you to Hughson? Hughson is a small community that allows me to get to know my students and their families. This creates an opportunity to build a strong and positive relationship with all my students to help them be successful. On top of this, Hughson Unified has extremely supportive staff and administration, all aligned with the same values and goals regarding students and academics. I am super excited to be a part of this amazing team. 

What part of the subject you’ll be teaching interests you the most? Math: I struggled with math in elementary too, and now I love being able to show students different methods to solve problems and allowing them to be active in the learning. 

What are your hobbies or interests outside of the classroom? I enjoy the outdoors and am always ready to hit the trails. Fun Fact: I spent most of July out of state visiting national parks. 

How did you decide to become a teacher? I've wanted to be a teacher since I was little. I really knew once I took a Geology class in college, and I learned different science experiments I could bring into the classroom. 

Looking back, who is a teacher who made an impact in your life? My 2nd-grade teacher, Ms. MacKenzie, was really involved with supporting the troops, and when my dad deployed, my teacher had my class write letters and send care packages to his unit. Then, when he came back, he did a show and tell in uniform and talked to the class about being in the Army. She was very supportive, and I told myself I wish I could support one of my students this much one day. 

Why is your subject important for students to learn, and what do you want them to remember? Even though I am teaching multiple subjects, I believe math is important for students to learn because they use it every day. I want them to remember that it's better to learn it now rather than later (It never goes away).

What are you most looking forward to about teaching for the Hughson Unified School District? I am excited to help students build their math skills and reach academic goals, as well as teach in my dream position.