Movses Tarakhchyan

Hesby Oaks Principal

Known affectionately as “Mr. T”, Movses Tarakhchyan is Hesby’s fearless leader. He thinks of Hesby as one big family, and cares deeply about every student, parent, and teacher that passes through its gates. He strives for excellence in all areas of education and is devoted to providing the best possible experience for his students.

We at Hesby are fortunate to have the best teachers, best students, and of course, the best families. Thank you for believing in public education, and thank you for trusting us with your children’s safety and education.

Maria Padua

Counselor

Maria Padua is our beloved counselor. Famed for her quick wit and sense of humor, she is the proverbial glue that holds the campus together. Every student knows her and craves her respect and love: they also know that she doesn’t give it out lightly, and they have to earn it.

Maria gives out semi-monthly spotlights on the website to students, teachers, and anyone else contributing in a positive way to the Hesby community. Read about that and more at her Counselor’s Corner!

Mary Jo Canel

1^st Grade, Room 6

First grade is a special year where students dive in and learn what it means to be a reader, writer, and mathematician.
They also learn about the world around them through a variety of activities that study professions in our community, goods and services, cultures from around the world.

As scientists they learn about our Earth, light and sound, and explore plant and animal traits. First grade is a fun learning environment that inspires young scholars to love the learning process!

Parisa Collier

5^th Grade, Room 17

Hi! My name is Mrs. Collier and I am VERY excited to be your fifth grade teacher! This year is going to be full of fun and lots of learning! I cannot wait to see what this year will have in store for us! I want to know ALL about you, but first I would like to tell you a few things about myself.

I was born on March 30th and raised right here in Los Angeles. I am married and have two wonderful kids, Kasra, who is 12 and in SEVENTH grade, and Kimiya who is 10 and in FOURTH grade here at Hesby. I also have a cute little 14 year old Chihuahua, named Princess. I LOVE my family very much!

I’ve been teaching for over 15 years now. I LOVE teaching and can’t wait to learn more about each and every one of you!!

Suzanne Conway

Kindergarten, Room 2

This is my second year teaching at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter, and I have been teaching TK and Kindergarten for ten years. Both of my children attended Hesby. My oldest child started the first year it opened in Mrs. Preuss’s class and now attends UC Berkeley. My youngest is a senior at Notre Dame High School. I love teaching TK and Kindergarten, and enjoy cooking, reading, and hiking on the weekends.

Arlet Dorian

5^th Grade, Room 14

Arlet has been an LAUSD teacher since 1999 and thoroughly enjoys working with 4th and 5th graders. She loves how they reason and problem-solve, but the biggest perk is that the older students get her sense of humor. To promote student success, she supports meaningful parent-teacher partnership.

Renee Gustafson

2^nd Grade, Room 4

Renee Gustafson has been teaching since the fall of 1997. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts’ Degree in Liberal Studies. She has a multiple subject teaching credential with a supplementary authorization in Mathematics. Ms. Gustafson joined the staff at Hesby Oaks in the fall of 2011.

Ms. Gustafson believes the classroom community is a place for students to learn through inquiry and play. She strives to cultivate a classroom of independent learners that are critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and active collaborators.

Kelly MacDonald

4^th Grade, Room 10

Kelly has taught pre-school for 8 years, and elementary school for 20 years. She has her AA and BA in Child Development, MS CLAD, Masters in Educational Leadership, and Administrative Credential.

Catareena Mazer

Kindergarten, Room 1

My mission as a kindergarten teacher is to motivate, inspire, encourage, and support my students in a positive safe and caring environment where they are educated and can grow emotionally, cognitively, and socially while building a foundation for success and life-long learning.

Hana Minderhout

1^st Grade, Room 11

First grade is a special year where students dive in and learn what it means to be a reader, writer, and mathematician.

They also learn about the world around them through a variety of activities that study professions in our community, goods and services, cultures from around the world.

As scientists they learn about our Earth, light and sound, and explore plant and animal traits. First grade is a fun learning environment that inspires young scholars to love the learning process!

Jen Preuss

1^st Grade, Room 5

First grade is a special year where students dive in and learn what it means to be a reader, writer, and mathematician.

They also learn about the world around them through a variety of activities that study professions in our community, goods and services, cultures from around the world.

As scientists they learn about our Earth, light and sound, and explore plant and animal traits. First grade is a fun learning environment that inspires young scholars to love the learning process!

Tracey Schroeder

3^rd Grade, Room 7

Tracey Schroeder is a 3rd grade teacher who has taught for 10+ years. She loves her students and is passionate about watching them grow each day, both as thinkers and as caring humans who make the world a better place through their words, actions, and decision-making.

Sheri Simkin

3^rd Grade, Room 8

Sheri Simkin has been teaching for 20+ years.  She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been at Hesby since the school opened in 2006.

Annette Ward

2^nd Grade, Room 3

Annette Ward has been teaching in LA Unified for many years, seventeen of which have been in Second Grade. She finds teaching seven and eight year olds exciting and enjoys helping them become independent learners. She finds all subjects interesting, but is especially fond teaching reading and comprehension. Introducing students to great literature and instilling a love for reading is one of her passions.

Another passion is theater and performance. Students in Room 3 enjoy performing for seniors at Encino Terrace Senior Living and for the school every year. Mrs. Ward finds that performance helps students build self-esteem and confidence in speaking in front of an audience. She finds that their new found self-reliance carries over to all academics as they develop a “Can Do” attitude. She loves Hesby Oaks and its wonderful families. Watching her former students exceed as they grow up brings her a great deal of happiness.

Kathie Yonemura

4^th Grade, Room 9

Kathie Yonemura teaches fourth grade; she has been teaching for 33 years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and LAUSD Teacher of the Year.  Her passion is to create lifelong learners; encouraging her students to find the joy in  learning and to develop a growth mindset!