New Faces of Faculty: Staff Profiles
By Jack Gebhardt, Aamena Shipchandler, Audrey Parkin, Melina Galacatos, Noah Frankel, and Trevor Krick, Head Copy Editor, News Section Editor, Online Editor, Azure Team Member, and Staff Writers
As the 2024-2025 school year kicks off and students adjust to their new schedules, students also get to know the new staff who have joined the Acalanes community. This year, 12 additional staff join the Dons and benefit the Acalanes community in their respective professions.
Paige Westlund - Instructional Assistant
Paige Westlund became interested in working in education in San Diego when she started to work with students who have learning disabilities before coming to Acalanes.
“I have prior experience working with Special Needs kids and kids with disabilities [in San Diego]. Here, I am in general education classes and I am in learning skills… I help implement kids in their IEPs and help them with their accommodations. I also help them with their homework,” Westlund said.
As an instructional Assistant at Acalanes, Westlund works with several students day-to-day, supporting them in their classes and checking in with her students throughout the day. Westlund enjoys building relationships and getting to know her students.
“So far…I’ve really enjoyed making relationships with the kids, making them feel comfortable to open up to me,” Westlund said.
Anisa Stanton - Attendance Technician
Before coming to Acalanes, Anisa Stanton gained experience teaching within the AUHSD. Her love for helping students compels her to continue working in the education field.
“I was an Instructional Assistant in the Special Education department at Campolindo for the last three years. I went to general education classes with students to help out with notes, assignments and even helping out with accommodations for tests,” Stanton said.
So far in her time here, Stanton is building relationships with members of the Acalanes community.
“I appreciate how welcoming everyone has been! I enjoy seeing the students outside of the classroom and building rapport with them as well,” Stanton said.
Rafael Lazo - Custodian
Rafael Lazo had previous experience with building maintenance, but he assumed a new role as school custodian.
“The reason why I left my previous job as a window cleaner working to clean windows on skyscrapers and buildings around California was because I started developing [fear] as I became older. At Acalanes, I feel much safer,” Lazo said.
Outside of work, Lazo enjoys recreational and mechanical activities.
“One of my hobbies is fishing, another one of my hobbies is working on cars whether it's my daily [car] or a project car,” Lazo said.
In the short time he has been, Lazo has begun integrating into the Acalanes community.
“So far, what I’ve enjoyed about Acalanes is overall the environment; everyone made me feel very welcome,” Acalanes custodian Rafael Lazo said.
Michael McEwen - District Technician
Before moving to Acalanes, Micheal McEwen had previous technology and teaching experience in the AUHSD. His responsibilities here are somewhat of a continuation of this; they include general tech-help, upkeep, and repair for students and faculty.
“I was a site tech at Las Lomas [high school], and before that an Instructional Assistant for Special Education: I was at Las Lomas for 21 years,” McEwen said.
Outside of school, McEwen enjoys recreational activities like bowling. Despite not attending, his greatest bowling accomplishment won him a college scholarship.
“I was recruited by Davis on a Bowling Scholarship as I carried a 190+ average for most of my life and have 297 as my highest game bowled,” McEwen said.
McEwen is taking on his new responsibilities as a District Technician at Acalanes and is so far enjoying it.
“Interacting with the students to help with some of the new lock down browser set up in classrooms has been the thing enjoyed most so far—outside the fun of new responsibilities—you have all been kind and respectful,” McEwen said.
Angela Anderson - Instructional Assistant
Angela Anderson previously worked in education and is continuing her work in that field with her new job at Acalanes.
“Before being at Acalanes I was at Del Valle as a behavior technician. … I chose to start working with the district because I enjoyed working with the students at Del Valle, and the district placed me here,” Anderson said.
As an Instructional Assistant, Anderson works one-on-one with her students as well as working as a team with other members of the class. So far, she is enjoying her work in the special education program at Acalanes and the school spirit.
“I really enjoy the students I work with, my coworkers in the class, and how we work very well as a team. I also really love how many fun things the school has going on all the time,” Anderson said.
Yvonne Dukes - Instructional Assistant
Yvonne Dukes is a new addition to the instructional aid in room 511 at Acalanes for the 2024-2025 school year.
“I assist with classwork, report student progress regarding behavior and performance, and assist students in developing various self-help and social skills,” Acalanes Instructional Aid Yvone Dukes said.
Dukes was connected to Acalanes through her husband Jason Dukes, who was hired as an Auto Engineering teacher this year. This year is the first time Dukes has worked as an Instructional aid, but she is excited about the position.
“I saw this position as a way to help and give back. … It is new to me, but I have incredible co-workers who are guiding me and giving me helpful information. I work with some wonderful individuals that I have an immense amount of respect for. The level of dedication and care they have for the students is nothing short of amazing,” Dukes said.
Rose Palley - Instructional Assistant
Rose Palley taught elementary and middle school in Nashville, Tennessee prior to coming to Acalanes this year as an instructional assistant.
“I taught in Tennessee, in Nashville. I taught kindergarten through 6th grades, and I recently moved back to California and took this position to see how I liked working with high schoolers,” Palley said.
Palley is an Acalanes graduate herself. She enjoys being in a familiar, but in some ways different, setting. While at Acalanes, Palley played under the leadership of Chris Huber
“I graduated [from Acalanes] in 2006, and so I just moved back from the area to be closer to family…I played basketball and swim while I was here too, Coach Huber was my coach, so it's really sweet to see that they named the gym after him,” Palley said.
Jorel Trias - Instructional Assistant
Jorel Trias taught at Las Lomas as an on-campus supervisor before teaching at Acalanes. “Las Lomas was the first high school I worked for and this was kinda close by,” Trias said.
Trias enjoys working with the special needs kids because of their positivity and friendliness, “Working with the students, working in the special needs I come [to school] and the students are asking how are you Mr. J, nice to see you it is the little cherry on top of the job,” Trias said.
Besides teaching Trias enjoys spending time at the beach and other fun activities, “I go to the beach a lot boogie board and surf a little, we hit amusement parks I don't know we kinda go where the wind blows we really don't make plans until the day of,” Trias said.
Tracey Wen - Instructional Assistant for Mandarin
Tracy Wen taught Mandarin at her church before choosing to come to Acalanes both because of an opening and,
“Because I like the environment and I like the students here. Students here are pretty, friendly,” Wen said.
Being an Instructional Assistant for Mandarin, Wen helps the teacher grade homework and translate simplified Chinese characters into traditional Chinese. One of the things Wen has enjoyed most about teaching at Acalanes is the
“Environment and atmosphere, the vibe. Students have a lot of energy, and that brings me a lot of joy,” Wen said. Besides teaching, Wen likes to play piano and hike. She also used to golf before having kids.
