More than 20 new educators have joined the Escalon Unified School District team, filling a variety of positions for the 2017-18 school year.

Staff members have been added at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

“We have a strong group of new people that we’re welcoming to the Escalon Unified School District,” said Superintendent Ron Costa. “We had some retirements, people moving on … we have filled the positions and as of now, all our teaching positions are filled.”

Joining the staff at the high school level are Isabella Leventini, agriculture; and Gustavo Jimenez, counselor. El Portal newcomers are Steve Largent, seventh/eighth grade history; Sarah Fox, seventh/eighth grade math; Heather Dyk, seventh/eighth grade science; Christian Manes, seventh grade math; Kyle Dunn, sixth grade math and science; and Mayra Manzo, counselor.

Natalia Lemos has joined the EUSD staff as a teaching consultant for Gateway Academy.

At the elementary level, Jessica Luna will serve as a school psychologist for both Farmington and Collegeville schools while Katie Steffanic will be a music teacher at both elementary and middle school levels.

New arrivals at Dent Elementary include Elaine Chavez, speech language pathologist; Amanda Gutierrez-Taylor, kindergarten; Alissa Vickers, kindergarten; Jesse Mittelstadt, special education; and Andrea Wever Gonzalez, school psychologist.

Farmington will welcome Nicole Armstrong as a fourth/fifth grade teacher; Collegeville welcomes Lidia Padilla, kindergarten, Julie Fox, kindergarten; April Wheeler, first grade; and Jennifer Vick, fifth grade. At Van Allen, Jamie Evans joins the staff as a TK/kindergarten teacher.

The new staff members joined in with the returning district personnel for a whole staff meeting Monday morning at 8 a.m., with the day also featuring a motivational speaker. Tuesday saw the district host a ‘welcome back’ barbecue for all staff and classes resume today, Aug. 9, at all school sites.