GGUSD Homegrown
HOMEGROWN! Our "GGUSD Homegrown" Social Media Campaign is here! Homegrown employees are those who attended schools in the district as students before returning to work in the district as employees. The “GGUSD Homegrown” campaign has already garnered interest from nearly 500 employees who shared their stories through an online form. Some of these stories will be spotlighted on the district’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media accounts.
Natalie Grace
Natalie Grace is #GGUSDHomegrown!
Natalie attended Morningside Elementary and Garden Grove High. She began as an IBI aide in special education, then served the Los Amigos students and parents as a Spanish community liaison, before recently moving to Walton Intermediate, after spending a few years in the Public Information Office.
“It is a unique privilege to be a part of a working community that helped shape me into the person that I am today. I am proud to be a part of a district that looks at the whole child as a measure of success and my experience with the teachers I encountered at GGHS proved just that. Teachers believed in me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. This led to a love of music, and as a result I became the president of the GGHS choir my senior year and made incredible memories. Some of my fondest memories as an employee include cheering on students at the Special Games, watching my students with learning disabilities reach milestones they were told were not achievable, helping plan the Michael Monsoor stadium opening, the Los Amigos Faculty talent show, and being there to encourage and comfort students when they needed it.”
Natalie began her GGUSD career 10 years ago.
Ashlyn Shoup
Ashlyn Shoup is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Ashlyn attended Barker, Bell, and Pacifica, where she graduated from in 2005. She currently works as a TOSA for the Department of 7-12 Instruction and has been in the district for 6 years.
“I returned to work for GGUSD because of the impact my teachers had on me. They believed in me, which helped me to believe in myself. Their passion for learning gave me a passion and desire to want to learn. When I became a teacher, I wanted to be able to have that type of impact on my students, and I knew if I surrounded myself with GGUSD teachers, I would be able to do just that. My favorite thing about GGUSD is how staff desire to be lifelong learners so that our students can have the best education possible.”
Sherry Parmenter
Sherry Parmenter is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Sherry attended Hazard Elementary School, Peters (when it was an intermediate school), and is a 1973 graduate of Los Amigos High School. She is currently a health assistant at Stanford Elementary.
“I worked at Barker, Lawrence, a short time at Bolsa and then about 24 years at Stanford. I met my husband Alvin at Los Amigos, in the music department. He was in the band and I was in choir. We live in west Garden Grove where all our girls went to Enders, Bell, and Pacifica. I have met so many great friends and coworkers at GGUSD. It's a joy to work in GGUSD.”
Sherry has been a GGUSD employee for 32 years.
Amanda Mulvey
Amanda Mulvey is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Amanda attended Enders Elementary, Bell Intermediate, and Pacifica High School. She is now a special education TOSA in the Induction office.
“I came back to the district when working on my credential and completed my fieldwork and student teaching in various classrooms throughout the district. I have loved every moment in this district, from when I was a student and now as an employee. I decided to return to this district as a teacher because I had fabulous teachers growing up (some of whom I had the opportunity to have as colleagues after becoming a teacher). Many of them left a lasting impression and influenced my own teaching practice. I feel so incredibly lucky to remain connected to the district for so long. I love the high quality of instruction that this district provides and the level of support that is given to teachers. I am excited that my oldest child will also get to experience the great education that GGUSD has to offer when beginning in the district next year.”
Garden Grove High Graduates
#GGUSDPride is strong at Garden Grove High School where a large group of the school's staff is#GGUSDHomegrown and many of those employees are ALSO Garden Grove High School graduates. Check out this awesome photo of the homegrown Argonauts.
Dana Bui
Dana is a Vietnamese Language teacher at Santiago High School. She attended Woodbury Elementary School, Irvine Intermediate School, and graduated from Bolsa Grande High School in 2002.
“GGUSD has always been my dream district. I've had excellent teachers growing up so I knew GGUSD was very selective with their teachers and I've heard nothing but awesome things about the district. I love that GGUSD equips teachers with the best professional development. We go into the classroom well prepared with numerous teaching strategies and skills under our belt. I love that we thrive as a district. Our students love going to school because they can tell that we love teaching them."
Kelly Barahow
Kelly Barahow is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Kelly attended Fitz Intermediate School and graduated from Los Amigos High School in 1983. She is currently a teacher at Gilbert Elementary School.
“I returned to work for GGUSD because I had pride in my school district as a student and wanted that pride to continue as a professional. I like Garden Grove Unified. It feels like home. I have been able to keep strong bonds and friendships with many of the people I went to high school with. I feel like that experience is unique. Something special about GGUSD helped those relationships flourish. I am proud to say I went to GGUSD schools and feel proud to work here now. My sister, brother, and children attended GGUSD schools."
Kelly has been a GGUSD employee for 20 years.
Christina Santacruz
Christina Santacruz is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Christina attended Stanford Elementary, Alamitos Intermediate, and is a 2001 graduate of Rancho Alamitos High School. Throughout her time in the district Christina has served in many roles and is currently a counselor at Irvine Intermediate.
“I returned to GGUSD because I wanted to work for the district that helped and motivated me as a student. This is “home” for me and I am proud to be a part of GGUSD. My favorite part about working at GGUSD is that although it is a big district, there is a small-town feeling and everyone is always willing to help. I would like to thank the teachers who made a difference in my life: Mr. Swaggerty (Stanford Elementary); Ms. Thompson (Alamitos Intermediate); Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Blandford & Ms. McGowan (Rancho Alamitos HS).”
Christina has been with the district for nearly 13 years.
Lisa McCormick
Lisa McCormick is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Lisa attended Chapman Jr. High and Pacifica High School. She was on the drill team at both schools and graduated from Pacifica in 1983. As a GGUSD employee, Lisa served as a Campus Safety Assistant for four years before transferring to Pacifica in the same role.
“I am proud to be a Pacifica alumni and now a Pacifica employee. Go Mariners.”
Christy Schirmer
Christy Schirmer is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Christy is a Social Science teacher at Rancho Alamitos. She attended Monroe Elementary, Fitz Intermediate, and graduated from Los Amigos High in 1989.
“I didn't even apply to any other districts, as this was the only place I knew would feel like home. I lost my mother, who had been an instructional aide at Monroe, while I was in elementary school. Even those teachers who didn't know about my situation seemed to intuit that I needed a little extra care. I try to provide the same to my students.”
Christy has been teaching for 23 years.
Jennifer Dela
Jennifer Dela is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Jennifer is a Special Education teacher at Rancho Alamitos. She attended Marshall Elementary, McGarvin Intermediate, and graduated from La Quinta in 2002.
“After attending all levels of my schooling through GGUSD and then working as an instructional aide for several years, I wanted to return to teach here, too. I had amazing teachers throughout my education in GGUSD, who helped make my choice easy in choosing education as my career. I also felt I would be able to connect with my students more, having grown up in this area. I love the fact that my students, for the most part, are humble and have the perseverance to push through no matter what life throws at them.”
Jennifer is currently in her 11th year of teaching.
Tiffany Luu
Tiffany Luu is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Tiffany is a Community Liaison at Doig Intermediate. She attended Paine Elementary School and graduated from La Quinta High School in 2011.
“I wanted to give back to the community in which I grew up and help the families who were just like mine. I currently work as a SCL, so I can help Vietnamese parents understand the American system and be able to provide support for their kids. I am currently working on my teaching credential and hope to be able to become a teacher at GGUSD and be able to support the students here just as my teachers supported me.”
Tiffany has been working in GGUSD for the last year and a half.
Victor Contreras
Victor Contreras is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Victor is a Bilingual Testing Clerk (Spanish) He attended Faylane Elementary,Lake Intermediate, and graduated from Rancho Alamitos in 2015.
“I was given the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Mafi in her mentoring program, as well as participate in College Boost. Through these two programs I found my passion in working in education and was later given the chance to work as college worker with Jordan Intermediate's assistant principal. My favorite thing about GGUSD is the dedication to giving back to the community and Dr. Mafi's desire to provide our students with necessary tools they need in order to be successful in their future endeavors.”
Victor has been working in GGUSD for the last 2.5 years.
Judith Au
Judith Au is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Judith is a kindergarten teacher at Monroe Elementary. She attended Stanford Elementary School.
“Two of my all time favorite teachers were from Stanford Elementary. Being around such amazing teachers inspired me to become a teacher. I knew I wanted to come back to GGUSD to do the same for other students. The teachers were so caring and passionate about their students. They left a lasting impression in the lives of the students they taught and I'm proud to be a part of that special group of educators.”
Judith has been working in GGUSD for two years.
Theresa Nguyen
Theresa Nguyen is #GGUSDHomeGrown
Theresa is an English and Vietnamese teacher at Rancho Alamitos. She attended Sunnyside Elementary, Jordan Intermediate (7th grade), Alamitos Intermediate (8th grade), and graduated from Rancho Alamitos in 2004.
“I love Garden Grove and I am honored to be teaching at the high school I attended. There are currently ten teacher colleagues at Rancho who were my former teachers! I like GGUSD because the district is well run and efficient. The student population is diverse. Overall students are very nice and respectful and teachers and students are valued and placed at the core values of the district.”
Theresa is in her 8th year of teaching and her 3rd year in GGUSD.
Christine Ly
Christine Ly is #GGUSDHomeGrown
Christine Ly is a School Psychologist at the Preschool Assessment Center. She attended Zeyen Elementary School, Alamitos Intermediate School, and graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School in 2006.
“I encountered dedicated, inspiring educators in GGUSD who motivated me to push myself, work harder, and make a difference. As a previous student and as a current employee, I received help and encouragement when I needed it and also when I didn't realize I needed it. My favorite part of working for GGUSD is the ability to give back to the community I grew up in.”
Christine has been working in GGUSD for two years.
Loan and Sonny Sriruska
Loan and Sonny Sriruska are #GGUSDHomeGrownand are a GGUSD Love Story!
Loan attended Wakeham, Paine, and Zeyen Elementary Schools, Alamitos Intermediate, and is a 1992 Rancho Alamitos grad.
Sonny attended Alamitos Intermediate and is also a 1992 Rancho Alamitos grad.
“We both decided to come back to GGUSD because of the great opportunities it provided us and care the teachers showed us during our time as students. We both hoped to be able to positively influence the experience of the students that we serve. We became friends during our time at Rancho and starting dating in 1992, got married in 2001, and have 2 daughters.”
David Mora
David Mora is #GGUSDHomeGrown
David attended Bryant Elementary, Alamitos Intermediate, Los Amigos High, and is a 2004 Rancho Alamitos graduate. He is currently an athletic attendant at Pacifica and contributes his free time to help out in the Public Information Office.
“My dad has been with the district for over 25 years and I’ve been around the district that whole time. I spent most of my childhood at Rancho when he worked there. It’s where I learned to ride a bike, where I spent my mornings before school watching cartoons, my evenings after school watching football and baseball practices, and where I played my junior all-American football games. Many workers have watched me grow up. Now I work with many of them and some are close family friends. It’s also awesome to be able to say I work for the same employer as my dad!”
David has been with GGUSD for 12 years.
Jan Cody
Jan Cody is #GGUSDHomeGrown
Jan is the principal of Walton Intermediate School. She attended Mark Twain Elementary School, Lake Intermediate School, and graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1973. She met her husband Keith while attending GGHS. Keith was in the Band and Jan was in Drill Team. Keith attended Violette, Walton, and Grove. The #GGUSDHomegrown couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this summer! Their son and Jan's brother and cousins all attended GGUSD schools.
“My favorite thing about GGUSD is the family atmosphere. My mother was a clerk at GGHS for 33 years. I returned to work for GGUSD because it felt like coming home.”
Jan has been working in GGUSD for 27 years.
Yvette Flores
Yvette Flores is #GGUSDHomeGrown
Yvette is a school counselor at Los Amigos High School. She attended Hazard Elementary School , Irvine Intermediate School, and graduated from Santiago High School in 2000.
“I wanted to give back to the community in which I was raised, and still currently live in a way that empowers the community to recognize their resilience and improve their circumstances, all while being proud of where they are from. I love many things about GGUSD, however, my favorite thing is the commitment to student growth and learning. My mom and sisters are products of GGUSD and my daughter attends Monroe Language Academy.”
Yvette has been working in GGUSD for three years.
Jason Oda
Jason Oda is #GGUSDHomegrown
Jason attended Allen Elementary, Irvine Intermediate, and is a 1993 graduate of La Quinta High School. He is currently the Activities Director and a Science Teacher at his alma mater.
“GGUSD is my community and home. The more I can relate to the students, the better I can teach them. The more the students can relate to me, the better to inspire them. I feel comfortable in the district. I fit in here, as it is my home. I know the neighborhood and the community. Old classmates' and friends' children are in my classroom.”
Jason has been a GGUSD employee for over 13 years.
Jamie Sifuentes
Jamie Sifuentes is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Jamie attended Parkview Elementary, Ralston Intermediate, and graduated from Garden Grove High in 1995. She is currently in her first year as an Education Specialist at Walton Intermediate.
“Garden Grove holds a special place in my heart and the commitment it has to its employees is genuine. I am impressed with the support and kindness I have received. Everyone is welcoming and eager to assist.”
Vivian Dinh
Vivian Dinh is #GGUSDHomegrown.
Vivian attended Lawrence Elementary, Alamitos Intermediate, and is a 2001 Garden Grove High graduate. She is currently teaches biology at Rancho Alamitos High.
“I came back because GGUSD is a place that I'm familiar with, with good people, and a place that I will be allowed to help others at.”
Vivian has been in GGUSD for 10 years.
Monica Luna
Monica Luna is #GGUSDHomeGrown.
Monica attended Peters Elementary, Walton Intermediate, and graduated from Garden Grove High School in 2002. She is currently a teacher at Bolsa Grande High.
“I came back to work for the district because GGUSD was known for its stability. In addition, my memories from all my past schools and many of my teachers reminded me of what my co-workers could be like. I wasn't wrong. The students. Even those that are working to make better decisions are good kids.”
She has been a GGUSD employee for 11 years.
If you're a homegrown GGUSD employee,
please take a moment to fill out a brief survey to share your story and save the date for our "GGUSD Homegrown Spring Celebration" on April 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Garden Grove Community Center.