With a new school year in session, it is time to welcome the six new teachers here at Aliso. Students have the incredible opportunity to learn from Ms. Hartman, Ms. Hoiseth, Ms. Santala, Ms. Finman, Ms. Iftikhar and Mr. Keledjian.
Ms. Hartman, the new art teacher here at ANHS, has taken over many different classes in the broader subject. She teaches Draw and Paint, AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D and AP Studio Art 3D for a variety of options that allow students to find what suits them best.
Ms. Hartman’s goal for the school year is to “help students experience as many different art media as possible” and she wants her students to “access their creativity.”
Another new teacher at our school this year is Ms. Hoiseth who teaches English classes. Ms. Hoiseth is not completely new to the school because she was a student teacher at Aliso last year, and she decided to return for her first year teaching on her own. One reason for the return was the support Ms. Hoiseth received from other teachers and administrators on campus and the school community as a whole.
When asked what inspired her to become a teacher, Ms. Hoiseth responded, “My mom was an English teacher–she retired–and I loved hearing about her experiences with students and how much she could change students’ lives.”
The other new English teacher to our school for the 2025-26 school year is Ms. Santala. She teaches English I, English II and English Language Development. Ms. Santala has previously worked at San Juan Hills High School, another school in the Capistrano Unified School District, but different needs for certain teachers allowed her to come teach at Aliso this year. Excitingly, Ms. Santala attended high school at ANHS and is looking forward to all of the school activities planned.
Ms. Santala urges all students to “make high school fun. High school’s what you make it, so do the fun stuff.”
On the other side of English, we are also welcoming two new science teachers with the retirement of three science teachers last year. Both Ms. Finman and Ms. Iftikhar were introduced into the science building to help students understand and enjoy the subject they love.
Teaching CP Biology and CP Chemistry, Ms. Finman values open communication with her students. The way they will best understand the material is by attending the classes and utilizing their teacher as a helpful resource.
Ms. Finman said, “My goals for the upcoming school year are just to become a part of the campus community and get to know as many people as possible at school.”
The second new science teacher, Ms. Iftikhar, also teaches chemistry, as well as conceptual physics. She has been trying to adjust to new surroundings by learning how everything runs at Aliso to help her students in the best way possible.
When asked for advice for how students can succeed in her class Ms. Iftikhar said, “Honestly, ask questions, tell me when you’re confused…I just want to do my best to help.”
The final new teacher to be welcomed to ANHS is Mr. Keledjian. He was inspired to become a teacher because he loves working with kids and hopes they can learn from his class and the life skills he teaches.
Mr. Keledjian is looking forward to “getting to know the students and culture of the school.”
