Congratulations to the March 2025 honorees of the Heartbeat of SAUSD recognition: the Johnson, Romero and Bautista 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.
Alexander Johnson - Registrar, Career Technical Education
Alexander Johnson serves as a Registrar for the Career Technical Education (CTE) department, where he helps oversee CTE and Dual Enrollment programs. In this role, he collaborates closely with counselors, assistant principals, and high school staff to support student success.
A proud product of Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), Alexander attended Jackson Elementary, Spurgeon Intermediate, and Godinez Fundamental High School, graduating in 2015. He began his career with SAUSD in 2019 as an After School Instructional Provider at Pio Pico Elementary before briefly stepping away in 2021. He later returned to the district, working as a Site Clerk at Godinez Fundamental High School before earning a promotion to his current role.
Passionate about expanding educational opportunities, Alexander enjoys working with staff, educational partners, and students to enhance CTE and Dual Enrollment offerings, witnessing firsthand the positive impact these programs have on students. He recently earned a master’s degree in educational counseling and aspires to become a high school counselor, dedicated to giving back to the Santa Ana community.
Susan Romero - Activity Monitor, Jackson Elementary School
Susan Romero has been an Activity Monitor at Jackson Elementary for over 20 years. Since 2004, she has dedicated her time to supporting teachers in the classroom as a volunteer, demonstrating her deep commitment to student success. In addition to her role at Jackson, she also works extra hours as a substitute for the after-school program, Engage 360, a position she truly enjoys. Knowing that her daughter, niece, and nephew have all participated in Engage 360 gives her confidence that students are in excellent hands.
Susan is a proud product of SAUSD, having attended Diamond Elementary, Carr Intermediate, and Valley High School before relocating with her family to Perris, CA. She continues to call Santa Ana home, where she lives with her husband and daughter, and remains dedicated to serving the SAUSD community.
Aleyna Romero - After-School Instructional Provider, Carver Elementary School, Expanded Learning Programs
Aleyna Romero has dedicated five years to working in the after-school program and finds great joy in supporting students. A proud Santa Ana native, she attended Jackson Elementary, Spurgeon Intermediate, and graduated from Godinez Fundamental High School in 2014. Passionate about making a positive impact, Aleyna is committed to enriching students’ experiences through the Expanded Learning program, where she witnesses firsthand the benefits it provides. For her, this role is the perfect opportunity to give back to the Santa Ana community, and she looks forward to seeing her students thrive throughout their time in SAUSD.
Darlene Bautista - Site Clerk, Kennedy Elementary School
Darlene Bautista has been with SAUSD for four years, previously serving as an Engage 360 instructional provider before joining Kennedy. She is a proud product of SAUSD, having attended Greenville Fundamental, MacArthur Fundamental, and graduating from Segerstrom Fundamental High School in 2015. She went on to earn a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Passionate about student well-being, Darlene aspires to become a mental health specialist to support SAUSD students, providing them with the guidance and encouragement they need to feel valued and achieve their goals.
