Movses Tarakhchyan

Hesby Oaks Principal

E-mail: mxt1425@lausd.net

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

E-mail: mxp4911@lausd.net

Counselor’s Corner

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!

Parisa Collier

2^nd Grade, Room 4

E-mail: pdcollier@gmail.com

Computer page

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, an 8th grader and a 5^th grader. I LOVE my family very much!

I’ve been teaching in LAUSD for over 15 years now. I am passionate about teaching because I enjoy watching my students grow into independent learners.

Suzanne Conway

3^rd, Room 11

E-mail: suzconway1227@gmail.com

This is my fourth year teaching at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter, and I have been teaching TK and Kindergarten for over 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

2^nd Grade, Room 3

E-mail: teacherdorian@gmail.com

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

Kindergarten, Room 2

E-mail: rng0112@lausd.net

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.

Annie Kurkjian

5^th Grade, Room 17

E-mail: axd1532@lausd.net

Annie Kurkjian has been teaching since 2009. She has experience with grades 3-5. She believes that education is the key to success. She hopes to continue to motivate students to reach for their goals and to discover what truly inspires them.

Her aim is to always provide an environment that encourages students to be confident in order for them to realize their full potential. She looks forward to a fun and challenging school year.

Kelly MacDonald

4^th Grade, Room 10

Daily Schedule

Class Website

Google Classroom

E-mail: kellymachesby@gmail.com

Ms. Mac is a California native that enjoys being outdoors.  She is a good Samaritan and always willing to help out a complete stranger. According to her, celery juice and laughing are the best medicine.  An athlete once, she now plays golf and tennis. She is an especially gifted napper, and dogs are her best cuddle buddies.  Ms. Mac likes long, romantic walks down every aisle of Costco. She prefers her puns intended. And most of all, she believes that the best things in life are not things, but experiences.  Let’s enjoy our time together.

Catareena Mazer

Kindergarten, Room 1

E-mail: catareena.mazer@lausd.net

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 6

E-mail: mindy.holc@gmail.com

Hana Minderhout has been teaching at Hesby Oaks since 2016 and is a graduate of California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and emphasis in Art Education.

Mrs. Mindy is passionate about teaching first grade where foundational skills in reading, writing, and math come to life for the very first time!  She strives to create a positive classroom environment where students grow in their independence and become active participants in their own learning process.

Jen Preuss

1^st Grade, Room 5

E-mail: jep4705@lausd.net

Jen Preuss has been teaching elementary school since Fall of 2001. Her passion is teaching children to fall in love with reading and writing. She was part of the opening staff at Hesby in 2006!

Rachel Ritter

5^th Grade, Room 14

E-mail: rachel.niver@lausd.net

Rachel Ritter is a recent graduate of California State University Northridge and has been at Hesby Oaks since 2018. She loves working with children and seeing the joy they have in learning and life in general. When she is not teaching, you will find her trying new cookie recipes, relaxing at the beach, or enjoying time with friends and family.

Tracey Schroeder

3^rd Grade, Room 7

TypingClub

E-mail: tds6498@lausd.net

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

Daily Schedule

Schoology Site

E-mail: sls2001@lausd.net

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.

Kathie Yonemura

4^th Grade, Room 9

Class Website

Google Classroom

E-mail: mrs.yonemura@gmail.com

Kathie Yonemura teaches fourth grade; she has been teaching since 1987. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and LAUSD Teacher of the Year. She loves all things California history! Her goal is to create lifelong readers, to encourage students to find the joy in learning and to develop a growth mindset!