With the start of the school year, eight new staff members have joined the Brahma family. Ranging from Grade Level Coordinators to Academic teachers, Diamond Bar High School’s new staff members have many different contributions to offer the school.
Jenna Maine is the new GLC for the Class of 2014. She completed her counseling internship at DBHS and worked as the Intervention Counselor last year. “I feel honored to work at such a great school with the best staff and student body around!” she said.
Richard Gonzales is the new GLC for the Freshman Class of 2016. He is a 1985 DBHS alumnus and has been substituting for other GLCs, such as Sonja Burns and Jon Goode, at the school. Gonzales watches “Keeping up the Kardashians” every Sunday night. His message to DBHS students is: “At the end of the day, be able look at yourself, and know that you tried your best. That’s all anyone can ask.”
Stephanie Duenas, the new Intervention Counselor, works with students who struggle with academics or family problems and those who just want to stop by and talk. Duenas, also a DBHS alumna who graduated in 2002, is proud to be back working at her alma mater. As a dancer in high school, Duenas brought her passion along with her to college. Later, she also coached the dance team at San Dimas High School and Bonita High School.
Anthony Gogos, the new Special Education teacher, has been teaching special education for about eight years. Working with autistic students and children with severe disabilities, he was a teacher at Gabriello High School. Gogos was recently married and says he is really good at the bean-bag game, corn-hole.
Margaret Ku, the new Algebra A and Algebra II teacher, formerly taught in South Central Los Angeles. In the past seven years, she has been working in classrooms as a teacher and an aide.
Working with Steve Acciani, Marie Sato is the new co-Music Director. She works with the Instrumental Music students at DBHS. Previously, she was a student-teacher at DBHS and at South Pointe Middle School. Sato has been teaching percussion for nine years now. Her hobby is crocheting and creating little ”crafty things.”
Andrew Villegas is the new U.S. History and Kinesiology teacher. He’s been working with kids since 2000 and has taught at three high schools in Los Angeles. Villegas loves to coach, work out, and spend time with his family. He lives by and encourages others to live by the four agreements: “Always do your best, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and be impeccable or perfect with your work.”
Finally, William Whelon is the new Environmental Science teacher. He’s been teaching for about 12 years, and always wears an ancient white lab coat while teaching. He has worked in many high schools and colleges as well.