“There’s no place like home,” said Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of OZ and John Howard Payne’s 1823 song “Home Sweet Home.”
As of next school year, three of Dinuba’s staff will be taking a step forward and leaving Dinuba High School to start somewhere new. These three are Assistant Principal Adrian Gutierrez, Dinuba Unified superintendent, Dr. Joe Hernandez, and PE instructor Julie Haselhorst. For these three staff members, Dinuba High School and Dinuba Unified have been their home for years. Truthfully, people tend to move from one place to another when their true calling has been discovered, whether in the same district or far from where home may be.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Hernandez
Dr. Joe Hernandez has been the Dinuba Unified Superintendent for 16 years. He is set to retire this coming fall. Dr. Hernandez’s legacy is to be passed down to Marti Kochevar, the current assistant superintendent, on 1 October 2025. Dr. Hernandez’s departure is also said to leave behind a team that will do what is best for Dinuba Unified and everyone within it. While Dr. Hernandez served as Superintendent, he formed a group of people who modeled for innovation and collaboration that helped out our community.
But, like Dr. Hernandez, Ms. Kochevar is not only qualified to pursue the role of Dinuba’s superintendent, but she has also demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to her community and proved herself worthy of her new role. With it, she will lead with vision and heart, ensuring that Dinuba Unified School District is administered in a way that is true to its values.
Assistant Principal Adrian Gutierrez
Throughout his career, Mr. Gutierrez has bonded with countless students. He has worked with children and alongside his fellow staff members. Mr. Gutierrez has continuously helped out students, whether academically or personally. His smile and the way he interacts with students make him easy to see from afar.
Mr. Gutierrez has been an assistant principal at Dinuba High School for a while, and over these years, he’s formed unbreakable bonds with students and staff. However, as of next school year, he will officially be appointed as Wilson Elementary’s new Principal.
Mr. Gutierrez said that he will take the friendships he made and the advice he has been given with him as he progresses and begins a new leadership role with a school of his own to lead and guide through the semesters.
“He’s a very caring and joyful person; he’s always making sure students are okay,” explained student Kathy Ibarra.
PE Instructor Julie Haselhorst
For seven years, Ms. Haselhorst has been one of five Dinuba High School PE instructors. Before that, Ms. Haselhorst had worked at Washington Intermediate (WIS). “Basically, long enough for former students to start sending their kids to school,” she quipped.
Just like Mr. Gutierrez, Ms. Haselhorst will continue to follow others’ advice and miss the connections she has made over the years.
Like every other teacher, Ms. Haselhorst has made countless bonds with students and staff, whether in the classroom or out of it. It’ll be hard to let go of these things, specifically the bonds and endless relationships, once the time comes to leave.
“She is really encouraging and always wants to make sure her students do their best in PE,” says an anonymous student who has taken her PE class for two years.
Not a goodbye, just a see you later!
DHS bids a fond farewell to Dr. Hernandez, Mr. Gutierrez, and Ms. Haselhorst. All three will be sorely missed.
