With the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Rancho Cucamonga High School has new faculty on campus. Rancho has added two new science teachers, a special education teacher, two campus officers, and a PE teacher, who is also Rancho’s new varsity football coach.
Ms. Meaghan Kaufusi is the new Earth and space science teacher. She previously taught at RCHS’s neighboring school, Los Osos, where she taught biology and served as the link crew and assistant activities director. Kaufusi, a class of 2016 RCHS alumn, shared some advice.
“Get involved! Rancho is an amazing place to be, speaking from alumni, but it’s 10x greater when you are a part of making Rancho amazing!” Kaufusi said.
According to Kaufusi, she is most excited for “just being at Rancho this year.” She said she can’t wait to get involved.
Mr. Brockton Nelson is Rancho’s newest AP Physics C: Mechanics, honors physics, physics, and Academic Decathlon assistant teacher. In years prior, Nelson also subbed at RCHS.
“When I started working as a sub, I honestly didn’t know whether or not I was going to pursue the full teaching credential and physics authorization,” Nelson said. “After getting to work as a sub for the teacher that I had for physics all those years ago (a bit surreal), it just felt right, so I made the leap. After a few years of learning how to teach others how to learn, the boxes were officially checked, and I was able to make the jump at the perfect time.”
Nelson said he is excited about his first year.
“I expect it’ll be a great year full of fun demos, exciting labs, and occasionally, moments where things don’t go as planned—which is often when the best learning happens!” Nelson said.
Mr. Paulo Robledo is RCHS’ newest addition to the Special Education Department. Robledo said he likes to do things outside of school, like outside work. He enjoys spending time with his family and watching sports.
The reason he got into teaching in the special needs program is because he said he wants to make a positive impact on students.
“I got into special education because I struggled academically growing up, and I want to help and support students with different learning abilities,” Robledo said.
Lastly, Mr. Alex Pierce is Rancho’s new football coach and PE teacher. Pierce used to be the football coach at Los Osos and is often asked why the switch to Rancho, where he said he usually replies with “Rancho is better.”
Pierce said he thinks that students should live by the following motto, “mediocre people hate high achievers and high achievers hate mediocre people.”
Along with RCHS’s new teachers, Rancho also gained two new campus officers. On the west side of campus, students will find Officer Derrick Harvey. Harvey was in the army for eight years.
When asked why he became a Campus Officer, he said, “Law enforcement led me into coming here. I want to make sure we are safe, and students’ and teachers’ comfort are in my best interest.”
One rule all Rancho students should follow, according to Harvey, is “go to class and stay in class.”
On the east side of campus,
Officer Tanner Borst, is the second new officer at RCHS this year. He was first a substitute through the CJUHSD district.
Borst said the number one rule students should follow, in his opinion, is just to “ show respect to one another.”
