Congratulations to the October 2024 honorees of the Heartbeat of SAUSD recognition: the Castro and Contreras Families! They were acknowledged during last night's Board meeting for exemplifying the core values of our district — a deep, enduring connection that weaves together generations of students, families, and educators into a vibrant educational tapestry.
Continue reading to discover more about their profound and inspiring contributions to SAUSD.
Daniel Castro - Special Education Teacher and Football Coach at Santa Ana High School
Daniel Castro is in his seventh year at Santa Ana High School, where he serves as a special education teacher and football coach. His career in education includes prior experience as a football coach at Century High School and as a classroom aide at both Godinez Fundamental High School and Santa Ana High School. As an alumnus of Santa Ana High School, returning to teach at his alma mater has been a lifelong dream, and he takes pride in making a meaningful impact in his community.
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) holds a special place in Daniel's family history. Many of his family members, including his uncles, aunts, and cousins, attended Santa Ana High School. His parents, high school sweethearts, also met while attending the school between 1981 and 1984. Daniel's personal connection to SAUSD runs deep, having attended Lincoln Elementary, later transferring to Santiago Elementary, and continuing his education at Willard Intermediate before graduating from Santa Ana High School in 2005. He went on to attend Santa Ana College, transferred to Cal State Long Beach, where he earned a BA in History, and later completed a Master’s in Special Education and teaching credentials from National University. Daniel is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree and an administrative credential.
Daniel is deeply committed to serving his community. Since graduating high school, he has known that his calling is to help others. As a teacher, he strives to serve and advocate for his students, ensuring they receive a quality education. His goal is to create a welcoming environment in his classroom and to help students build a strong foundation for success after graduation.
Andres Contreras, Special Education Teacher at Valley High School and Previously a Special Education Instructional Assistant in SAUSD
Andres Contreras has been dedicated to special education since 2013. He began his career as a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Segerstrom High School, serving as a Mild/Moderate Student Support Specialist from 2013 to 2015. In January 2015, he transitioned to Santa Ana High School as a Moderate/Severe Instructional Assistant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andres decided to further his education, earning his Master’s degree and Special Education credential. When in-class instruction resumed for the 2021-2022 school year, he was offered a position as a Mild/Moderate Special Education Teacher at Valley High School, where he currently teaches.
Andres' personal connection to the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) runs deep. Like many SAUSD students, he moved schools multiple times during his elementary years, starting at Lowell Elementary, transferring to Lincoln Elementary in 1st grade, and finally completing his elementary education at Fremont Elementary. He then attended Willard Intermediate and graduated from Santa Ana High School in 2002.
Andres is deeply committed to giving back to the SAUSD community. The opportunities and support he received from caring and dedicated teachers in SAUSD inspired him to pursue a career in education. His goal is to continue the legacy of mentorship and encouragement, helping students in the community achieve success and reach their highest potential, just as he was encouraged to do.
