For Kara Grace, Denair has always felt like home. Though she grew up in nearby Turlock, she attended church with her family in Denair, and her first job was at a pizza parlor in town. It seems natural, then, that her teaching career would lead her back to familiar surroundings.

“I’ve always had positive feelings about Denair,” said Grace, who owned her own photography business before deciding to pursue a career in education. “Everybody’s super friendly, and it’s a very community-focused environment in the sense that I can tell there’s a lot of parent involvement and a lot of compassion from the staff. I like the size of the school and the student-to-teacher ratio. It all seems like a good fit.”

Here are a few other things you probably didn’t know about Grace.

Family members – One middle-schooler, one high-schooler, one rescue cat, and one dog.

Educational background – I received my associate of arts degree in English at Modesto Junior College, following my high school education at Turlock High. At MJC, I acquired an education in child development, which supported my role as a pre-school teacher. I also took a photography class, and that segued into a decade of owning a successful photography business. Twenty years later, I enrolled at San Joaquin Delta College (Stockton) to acquire my license to work as a speech and language pathology assistant. I’m a lifelong learner and am so grateful for the adventures on which learning has taken me.

Subject/grades taught – I have taught preschool (4-5 year olds). 

What attracted you to Denair? – Denair is close to home in more ways than one. I grew up going to church next door to the district office, and the first job I ever had was working across the street at Pizza Plus. With friends in the district who’ve happily chosen this community for its quality and character, DUSD seems a perfect choice to reconnect with my roots while beginning this new chapter.

What most inspires you about teaching? – Being able to connect genuinely with students, especially those who may struggle in the school environment, is what continues to motivate me in this work. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? – As a first-year speech and language pathology assistant, I am looking forward to expanding my ability to offer holistic therapy to my students.

What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? – “Would You Rather?” is probably the best game that ever was created. I have no doubt a therapist invented that game to trick teenagers into talking.

What do you want your students to remember? 

“There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

I feel that this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong.

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What’s right for you – just listen to

The voice that speaks inside.”

– Shel Silverstein

What can parents do to support you? – It seems like a small thing, but the benefits of sitting down each night and reading with your child is so important. If reading is a struggle, just looking at pictures together and making up a story, or letting your child tell the story, works just as well. These 15 minutes cultivate language development, a love for learning, and a sense of connection – all things that will improve your child’s success in and out of school.

What’s something that would surprise people about your job? – Speech and language pathology doesn’t just focus on speaking more fluently, it also addresses social skills and empowers children to feel more confident in themselves. 

What do you do for fun? –  My newest passion is car-camping. I built a temporary “camper” in my CR-V and took a trip to the coast this summer. Next summer, I plan to travel through the Pacific Northwest into Canada. I love having new experiences! Small towns and you-pick farms are my favorite finds when I’m traveling. I also love writing poetry and children’s books, taking photos, gardening, kayaking, and cooking.

One interesting, little-known fact about me is … I really enjoy using my creativity to make things I need or want out of things others likely would discard.

The Denair Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to establish a five-person advisory committee that will recommend project-management options for the Measure Z modernization program. During a wide-ranging, two-hour meeting to kick off the 2025-26 school year, board members Ray Prock Jr., Billy Myers, Kathi Dunham-Filson, Andrea Bennett, and Jason De Muro took several minutes to ensure the language in the motion was precise. Ultimately, the board set a Sept. 11 deadline for the advisory committee to return with recommendations as to whether an individual project manager or a management firm should be hired. The advisory committee will be comprised of DUSD Superintendent Terry Metzger Ed.D., Chief Business Official Daisy Swearingen, Director of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation Mark Hodges, as well as Myers and De Muro — the two board members already seated on the Facilities Committee. Metzger pointed out that project management responsibilities have fallen largely on Swearingen and Hodges. “They’ve really been tasked with overseeing all the projects that are happening in the district,” Metzger said. “So, we researched the pros and cons of hiring a project manager vs. hiring a firm. We think that discussion really needs to happen with this advisory committee, and it may lead to an RFQP process or it may lead to bringing on someone in-house as project manager.” In other action items on Thursday, the board again voted unanimously to award course credits and establish a $30 stipend for the student board member position(s). Also, by a 5-0 vote, the board settled on Storer Transportation Services for its home-to-school and extracurricular transportation, and bus-fleet maintenance (effective July 1, 2025).

Items of note on the consent calendar, which was approved by a 5-0 vote, included:

• Ratification of payroll for June ($1,269,807.15 regular) and July ($875,127.37 accrual and $266,977.90 regular)
• Increasing the school nurse hourly rate from $45 to $65 per hour, beginning with this school year
• Applying for the Agriculture Incentive Grant to enhance DHS ag programs
• Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between DUSD and the city of Turlock’s Play Program, and outlining the after-school child-care program
• Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between DUSD and Pet Supplies Plus that will allow students to obtain work experience, job training, and on-site instruction
• Approval of the Foothill Horizons Outdoor Education Program — supported by naturalists to assist teachers — that will be attended by sixth-grade students April 14-17, 2026.

Earlier in the meeting, the board received an update from the school’s FFA department.

Roger Christianson, head of the agricultural department, talked about the program’s growth, and its performance at last month’s Stanislaus County Fair. “I looked back to when I started here – this is my sixth year – and we had seven exhibitors then,” said Christianson, who was joined for the presentation by fellow advisors Christian Obando and Melinda Rohn, and FFA members Kijhona Maciel, McKenzie Binkley, McKinley Binkley, Rin Rice, Addyson, Ramos, Brody Stallings, and 2025 Denair High School graduate ZAC Christianson. “This last year, we had 33 exhibits with 30 different exhibitors at the fair, so that’s how much we’ve grown over the past five years.” Another update presented to the board focused on the Coyote Closet, which provides clothing and household items for those in need.

Isela Arredondo, now a bilingual para-educator within DUSD, recounted how the Coyote Closet helped her family when as it dealt with a cancer diagnosis. “I had to be my husband’s caregiver 24/7, and my children’s ages at that time were 8, 3, and 1,” said Arredondo. “I will always convey to people that the Coyote Closet is a closet of answered prayers. Because of the closet, I was able to use our income for travel expenses for my husband’s treatment.” Prior to Thursday’s regular open meeting, the board met in closed session but reported no action. A special board meeting will be held on Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. (closed session to follow at 7). The next regular board meeting will be held Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be in the leadership/board room, 3460 Lester Road, Denair.

Zenaida Moreno was born in McAllen, Texas, to migrant farmworker parents who shuttled between south Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and California’s Santa Clara Valley in seek of seasonal work. Thankfully, for the Denair Unified School District, Moreno ultimately settled in California. Last year, she worked with student support services and special education, as well as with the District Attendance Review Team (DART) and the Site Attendance Review Teams (SART). This school year, she’ll be managing Special Programs, as well as the Extended Learning Opportunities Program, all while maintaining her connection to DART.

Here are a few other things you likely didn’t know about one of Denair’s newest manager:

Family members: I have been married to my husband, Hector, for 26 years, and we have a 12-year-old son, Zaiden. He will start seventh grade at Denair Middle School.

Educational background: I attended school in south Texas. 

What attracted you to Denair? What drew me to the Denair Unified School District was its close-knit community. I grew up in a similar environment, where everyone knows one another and their families, and that gave me a deep appreciation for that sense of connection and support. I was especially touched by how staff took a personal interest in my son even before he began attending DECA. In Denair, students are truly seen, valued, and never go unnoticed. It’s clear this district is committed to nurturing each child as an individual, and that means everything to me as a parent.

What most inspires you about teaching? I do not teach, but I love the connection that I’ve made with a lot of students that I’ve seen grow up through the years. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? The ELOP Manager position is a new addition to many districts this year, and I’m excited for the opportunity to implement and shape the program here at Denair. I look forward to identifying ways to continually improve it and ensure it provides meaningful benefits for our students.

What do you want your students to remember? I want our students to remember the genuine care and interest they received from our teachers and the entire Denair community. As adults, we often look back on our school years and recall one special teacher or staff member who made us feel seen and valued.

What can parents do to support you? Parents carry the important responsibility of raising their children, and when they entrust them to our schools, it is a responsibility we take very seriously. I believe strong communication between teachers and parents is essential to a student’s long-term success. When parents have questions or concerns, reaching out to their child’s teacher is one of the most effective ways to ensure the student receives the support they need both at home and in the classroom. A strong partnership between families and educators is key to helping every child thrive.

What’s something that would surprise people about your job? I believe many would be surprised by the extent of responsibilities involved in my role. I came to this position with a background in Student Support Services and Special Education, which has provided me with valuable experience in managing a variety of student programs. As part of my new role, I will continue to oversee several special programs that are already underway. Much of my work happens behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in supporting our students and ensuring programs run smoothly and effectively.

What do you do for fun? My family and I value quality time with close friends, whether we’re riding quads, enjoying each other’s company, or simply relaxing together. I also believe in the importance of self-care and make it a priority to set aside time for rest and rejuvenation. We love dancing, watching movies, and creating joyful memories together. 

One interesting, little-known fact about me is … I enjoy putting peanuts in my Coke after taking a little sip. Best snack ever! 

Thomas Hamilton knew from the time he was a student at Merced’s Golden Valley High School (class of 2018) that he wanted to be a teacher. And there was one specific instructor who influenced that decision.

“My physics teacher, Mr. (Michael) Boykin, was the most amazing teacher,” said Hamilton, who will teach seventh-grade math, as well as the STEM elective, for Denair Middle School’s 2025-26 term. “He was amazing, and I loved his class. Physics is a pretty hard subject and he made it seem easy. I was really inspired by him.” Hamilton was also a Young Life volunteer leader for six years, working with high school and middle school students. “I’ve always loved working with kids and known that I wanted to teach,” said Hamilton, who will be getting married during spring break in Hawaii.

Here are a few other things you likely didn’t know about one of Denair’s newest instructors:

Family members: I have a fiancée named Lauren and a stepdaughter named Brooklyn, who will turn 3 in September.

Educational background: Associate degree in physics from Merced College and a

bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Grand Canyon University.

Subject/grades taught: This is my first year teaching. However, I have experience

substitute teaching in both middle and high school, as well as coaching high school

athletics.

What attracted you to Denair? Denair strikes me as a very close community, where

the staff and students all know each other and work together very well.

What most inspires you about teaching? I am inspired by the many people who have

invested in my future and helped me to succeed in life, and I want to do the same for

the students in my class.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I look forward to tackling

all of the challenges that I am sure to face as a first-year teacher. I have a lot to learn.

What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? I am a big fan of project-based learning,

especially hands-on activities.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that

they have what it takes to achieve their goals as long as they stay focused and work

hard.

What can parents do to support you? Parents can support me by supporting their

children from home. I would also love to have open communication with parents about

how their children are doing in class, whether they need extra attention in a particular

subject or are doing especially well and deserve praise.

What’s something that would surprise people about your job? Middle-schoolers are

the coolest people in the world!

What do you do for fun? I enjoy being outside, whether it’s camping, hiking, or bike

riding. I love it all!

One interesting, little-known fact about me is … My little brother’s name is Sawyer,

so together we are Tom Sawyer. 

“Music makes us happy and helps us process our emotions,” says Laura Bishop, the new Beginning Music and Choir instructor for grades K-5 at Denair Elementary Charter Academy. “When I was in high school, I ditched piano lessons. I just thought, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ I had other priorities. Now, I am so grateful I took piano for six years. I can play and it brings me so much joy.”

Bishop is looking forward to bringing that same level of joy and sense of accomplishment to DECA students during the 2025-26 school year.

Here are a few things you likely didn’t know about one of Denair’s newest instructors:

Family – I have two children: Aiden, who is 16 years old and a junior-to-be at Turlock High, and Leila, who is 13 and an eighth-grader-to-be at Dutcher Middle School. 

Educational background – I attended Bella Vista High School in Roseville (class of 1998), and I have a bachelor’s degree in child development from CSU Sacramento. This fall I will be working on my music teaching credential.

Grades taught – I will be teaching Beginning Music and Choir for grades K-5

What drew you to DUSD? – I like the close-knit community of DECA.

What most inspires you about teaching? – I love seeing my students get excited when they have mastered a new challenge, and I’m particularly excited about teaching music, because you get to see them progress from beginners to confident performers, composers or creators.

What challenge do you look forward to tackling this year? – I look forward to creating a children’s choir from scratch, and watching the children perform for their families and friends.

What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? – I plan to have a karaoke system in my classroom, and I have a feeling that Karaoke Fridays might become a big hit!

What do you want your students to remember? – I want my students to remember how much fun we had making music together and the happy memories that songs from our music class will bring them.

How can parents support what you do? – Parents can support what I do in the classroom by attending their children’s performances.

What is something that would surprise others about your job? – One of the things that has surprised me the most in my teaching career is the unexpected lifelong impact I’ve had on my students. One of my preschool student’s parents contacted me 15 years later to tell me that her son was the only teenager she knew that loved Norah Jones’ music. I would play it in my classroom each morning, and because of that, he studied piano, guitar, and became a lead worship singer in their church.

What do you do for fun? – When I am not working, I love spending time with my kids, relaxing in our back yard, cooking, traveling, attending musicals and all of their sporting events.