For many employees across Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, serving students is more than just a job, it is a homecoming.
From classrooms and cafeterias to offices and school sites across the district, dozens of MPUSD employees once walked these same hallways as students. They learned from inspiring teachers, built lifelong friendships, discovered passions, and created memories that helped shape who they are today. Now, they have returned to give back to the schools and community that helped raise them.
Their stories reflect the heart of the MPUSD Way, where service mindset, connection, and community come full circle.
For Human Resources team member Lilyanne Kelly, her journey began at Del Monte Elementary, continued through Monte Vista, Walter Colton, and Monterey High School. She remembers choir field trips and visiting colleges through the Art Careers Academy as experiences that opened her eyes to future possibilities.
“Those opportunities helped me explore the different paths available after graduation and opened my eyes to what was possible,” she shared.
At La Mesa School, Rebekah Corbishley reflects on her time in student leadership and the Monterey High aquatics program.
“Leadership opened so many doors for me, and the aquatics program created a family for me during a really important time in my life,” she said.
For many employees, it is the relationships that stand out most.
Hugo Cortez, now teaching at JC Crumpton Elementary, attended Ord Terrace, Fitch Middle School, and Seaside High School. His favorite memories center around the friendships he built, many of which remain strong today.
“I still talk to many of them out in the community,” he shared. “I’ve even had the honor to teach many of my school friends’ children.”
At Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula, Elisa Vera recalls a simple but powerful moment from third grade when she gave her teacher a keychain for Christmas. More than 20 years later, she unexpectedly saw that same teacher, who still had it.
“That moment reminded me of the lasting impact teachers can have and how even small acts of kindness can mean more than we realize,” she said.
Many employees shared memories of sports, music, theater, student leadership, and school spirit, from marching band competitions and multicultural rallies to science camp, field trips, and Friday night football games. Others simply remembered the kindness of a teacher, the joy of recess, or the confidence they found in belonging to a school community.
For Superintendent’s Office team member Janet Ash, who attended Bay View Elementary and Walter Colton, the answer was simple:
“My amazing teachers!”
That sentiment was echoed again and again.
These alumni-turned-employees are a powerful reminder that schools do far more than educate, they shape futures, build community, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Today, these staff members are helping create those same memories and opportunities for current students.
They are proof that sometimes the best place to make a difference is the place that first made a difference in you.
At MPUSD, many of our employees are not just serving a district, they are serving home.
Our Legacy Employees (this list will be updated regularly)
Frank Joseph Aliotti
Attended: Bay View Elementary, Walter Colton Middle School, Monterey High School
Now Works: Marshall Elementary
Nataly Arrazola
Attended: Highland Elementary, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: Business Services
Janet Ash
Attended: Bay View Elementary, Walter Colton Middle School
Now Works: Superintendent’s Office
Janice Bouhaja
Attended: Olson Preschool, Marina Del Mar, Los Arboles Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
Kanani Brown
Attended: Fremont Junior High, Monterey High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
Tiffany Canchola
Attended: Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Monterey High School
Now Works: King School of the Arts
Carol Casion
Attended: Highland Elementary, Del Rey Woods, Ord Terrace, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Seaside High School
Now Works: Marina Child Development Center
David Collyer
Attended: Monte Vista, Los Arboles Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Los Arboles Middle School
Juana Contreras Chavez
Attended: Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Seaside High School
Now Works: Seaside High School
Rebekah Corbishley
Attended: Bay View Elementary, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: La Mesa School
Marissa Cortez
Attended: JC Crumpton, Olson, Los Arboles Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Marina Vista Elementary
Hugo Cortez
Attended: Ord Terrace, Fitch Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: JC Crumpton Elementary
Anne Davis
Attended: Del Rey Woods Elementary
Now Works: Adult School
Nathalie Diaz Gutierrez
Attended: Ord Terrace Elementary
Now Works: Adult School
Umeeta Dosange
Attended: Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: JC Crumpton Elementary
Michelle Faatuai
Attended: Del Rey Woods Elementary, Walter Colton Middle School, Monterey High School
Now Works: JC Crumpton Elementary
Monica Flores
Attended: Elementary schools in Seaside, Monte Vista, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: Human Resources
Deanna Frybarger
Attended: JC Crumpton, Marina Del Mar, Los Arboles Middle School
Now Works: Marina Vista Elementary
Emily Garcia
Attended: DLAMP, Marina High School
Now Works: DLAMP
Jasmin Hernandez
Attended: Manzanita, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Monterey High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
Patricia Hernandez
Attended: Del Rey Woods Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Monterey High School
Now Works: Adult School
Arely Hernandez
Attended: Ord Terrace, Fitch Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
Christopher Hidas
Attended: Monterey High School
Now Works: Monterey High School
Kenya Hobson
Attended: Seaside High School
Now Works: Human Resources
Nina Jones (Ruminson)
Attended: Monterey Peninsula College
Now Works: Monterey Child Development CenterK
Lilyanne Kelly
Attended: Del Monte Elementary, Monte Vista, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: Human Resources
Princess Killens
Attended: Noche Buena Children’s Center
Now Works: Marina Vista Elementary
Heidi Lizarbe
Attended: Seaside High School
Now Works: Business Services
Elyssa Lucero
Attended: Ord Terrace, Fitch Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Ord Terrace Elementary
Cathleen Main
Attended: Juan Cabrillo, Foothill, Walter Colton, Seaside High School
Now Works: King School of the Arts
Isai Ogarrio Martinez
Attended: Bay View Elementary, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: Current site not listed
Fatima Mejia (Maiden Name: Cortez)
Attended: Monterey High School
Now Works: Student Support Services
Brenda Perez Reyes
Attended: La Mesa Elementary, Del Monte Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Monterey High School
Now Works: Marina Vista Elementary
Mary Pettus
Attended: JC Crumpton, Olson, Marina Vista, Marina Del Mar, Los Arboles Middle School, Seaside High School
Now Works: Marina Vista Elementary
Rachel Rivera
Attended: Seaside High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
Larissa Sison
Attended: Juan Cabrillo Elementary, Foothill, Walter Colton, Seaside High School
Now Works: Adult School
Joann Silva-Montes
Attended: Juan Cabrillo Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Seaside High School
Now Works: Educational Services
Jason Sopoaga
Attended: Seaside High School
Now Works: Facilities
Justin Stokes
Attended: Manzanita Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Seaside High School
Now Works: Seaside Middle School
KaDejah Stroud
Attended: Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts, Seaside Middle School, Seaside High School, Marina High School
Now Works: King School of the Arts
Michele Waters Suro
Attended: Monterey High School
Now Works: Del Rey Woods Elementary
Maria Tamayo
Attended: Seaside High School
Now Works: Los Arboles Middle School
Angela Thomas
Attended: Monterey High School, Walter Colton
Now Works: Marina High School
Peter Torrente
Attended: Foothill, Walter Colton, Monterey High School
Now Works: Facilities
Elisa Vera (Maiden Name: Lopez)
Attended: Ord Terrace, Fitch Middle School, Seaside High School, Central Coast High School
Now Works: DLAMP
Kellie Ventimilia
Attended: Bay View Elementary, Fitch Middle School, Monterey High School
Now Works: Marshall Elementary