This is my 29th year teaching in the Rialto Unified School District.  I taught at Curtis Elementary for 6 years, 10 years at Bemis Elementary and this is my 12th year at Fitzgerald Elementary.  I have taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade most of my career.  This is my 4th year as a Reading Specialist here at Fitzgerald. I love teaching and could not imagine doing anything else for a career.  My hope as an educator is to instill the love of learning in my students and make a difference in their lives. 

I am on my 9th year as a Special Education Teacher and I would not change it for anything in the world! Each day I remind myself of one thing, "If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn."

Hello Fitz Family! I am the Speech Language Pathologist here at Fitzgerald. I have been working at Fitzgerald Elementary School for six years. My passion is advocating for my students and ensuring their voices are heard. All communication modalities are welcomed here!

I have been in the early education field for about 15 years. I’ve been teaching preschool with RUSD since 2023. I live here in Rialto with my husband Isidro of 20 years. Together we have a 17 year old named Julien, and a 14 year old named Anabelle. My hobbies include painting and collecting vintage items from the mid century era.

Hello, my name is Mrs. Anderson I’ve been working in early education for 11 years. I worked 8 years in Preschool and am now starting my third year teaching TK. I love this age group and the magic that comes with it.

I hold an AA in Social and Behavioral Science, a BA in Child Development, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Social Emotional Learning.

I live locally with my husband, our 2 sons, mother in law and our three dogs. When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, making memories that fill my heart.

Teaching TK is the best! I love helping young learners build a strong foundation in a way that feels playful, meaningful, and magical.

Jose Casas is an Education Specialist whose path to the classroom began in private industry but was always guided by a deep desire to teach. After raising his four children, Jose decided to pursue his long-held passion for education. Having family members who worked with children with special needs further fueled his commitment to this field. Jose deeply loves his children and understands how parents feel for theirs, so he carries that empathy into his classroom every day. Outside of school, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his children, always striving to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

I am passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment where all students feel valued and inspired to learn. When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy walking, going to the beach, and doing yoga to relax.

Hello everyone my name is Antonio Bugarin. I am beginning my third year as an Education Specialist. I am glad to be apart of an awesome team at Fitzgerald. Go Foxes!

Hello! I am Mrs. Finn and this is my 7th year teaching at Fitzgerald Elementary! I truly love teaching because I love seeing how much the students grow throughout the year!

I truly enjoying teaching. This is my 28th year!

Hello, my name is Desiree Penilla, and I teach 1st grade at Fitzgerald Elementary School. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a minor in Labor Studies, a TESOL certification, a Multiple Subject Credential, and a Master’s in Learning and Teaching. I have over 10 years of experience in education. I began my career by earning my TESOL certification to teach English abroad and went on to teach adult English learners in the United States, as well as Japanese exchange students. I later served as a bilingual instructional assistant for five years, during which I discovered my true calling—being in the classroom as a teacher. As an educator, I am committed to a transformative teaching approach that prioritizes students’ social-emotional learning, embraces their diverse needs, and reflects my commitment to continuous professional growth. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment where students can grow into lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. We love watching movies, reading, exploring new places, and creating art together.

My name is Mr. Correa and I'm a 1st year special education teacher, but my 3rd school year in the education field. Before this, I was a paraprofessional (teacher's aide) for Special Education Pre-school at Werner Elementary, and the year before that, I was a substitute Paraeducator for Snowline Joint Unified School District in Phelan, CA and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of schools. Having grown up in special education myself, I know the power of a teacher who truly sees their students. I strive to create an inclusive, flexible classroom where every learner feels valued, understood, and confident in their ability to succeed.

Welcome to another wonderful year at Fitzgerald Elementary. A little bit about me...I have 32 years of teaching experience. Most of my teaching experience has been in 2nd grade. I have taught 3rd grade for 5 years, and also worked with kids with special needs for 2 years. I have two beautiful children who are 25 and 22 My son is married and he and his wife are expecting their first child this year. They live in Colorado and proudly serves in the Air Force. My daughter is currently pursuing her Master's degree and plans to have a career in the health and fitness industry. My partner and I live in Corona. He and I enjoy doing home improvement projects, cooking, and traveling.

Elementary Teacher

Before pursuing my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, I worked in the traffic engineering industry for several years and I had the privilege of being a stay at home mom to raise my children. I have worked for the Rialto Unified School District for 7 years and I am excited to be teaching 5th grade! I truly enjoy teaching children and experiencing students' growths and achievements.

Ms. Scott is a dedicated Special Education teacher with a Master’s degree in Education.

I graduated from Fresno Pacific University with my bachelors and credentials. I have returned back to get my masters in education. This is my 5th year teaching in Rialto Unified School District.

Mr. Sanchez began teaching in 2017 and currently teaches 4th grade. He is passionate about creating an engaging and supportive classroom where students feel encouraged to do their best. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and finding new ways to make learning meaningful.

I'm from upstate NY & NH. I love working with children of all ages and needs. I have several certifications that keep me well rounded and flexible to work with many different learning styles.

Hello! My name is Geraldine Masood, and I am so excited to be your child’s 5th grade teacher this year. I believe that every student has the potential to grow, achieve, and shine, and I am committed to creating a classroom that is engaging, supportive, and full of opportunities to succeed. This is my 5th year teaching, and my 5th year at Fitz. Over the years, I have taught 6th grade Math and Science, and 3rd grade, and I truly enjoy working with students during this important year as they prepare for middle school.

In our classroom, I focus on building a community, encouraging a growth mindset, connecting learning to real life, fostering creativity, and developing critical thinking skills. I believe in working as a team with families to support each student’s academic and social-emotional growth. 

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two littles and friends. My favorite things include coffee, reading, baseball, and traveling. I am extremely excited to be teaching 5th grade this year and look forward to an amazing school year filled with learning, growth, and memorable moments. Together, we can make this a successful and exciting year for your child!

I am excited to be joining Fitzgerald as a fifth grade teacher! I bring over 5 years of teaching experience into the classroom with a passion for creating engaging and positive learning environments for the students. I look forward to bringing out the absolute best from my students and growing with them this year. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy traveling and exploring new experiences that I can share with my students.