Doug Leresche

Born in Zimbabwe, Africa, case manager and resource teacher Doug Leresche recalls how his experiences in high school shaped him into the educator he is today. 

 

“I was involved in a lot of different things [in high school],” Leresche said. “But it was also when the economy and political situation was really bad, so there were food shortages and money shortages and various issues throughout that time as well which also impacted how I look at the world.” 

 

Before working in education, Leresche worked for PASSOP, a refugee and human rights organization and with Services for Brain Injury, a Bay Area-based nonprofit organization that consists of working with adults with disabilities. Currently, he is in the process of obtaining his teaching credentials from Santa Clara County’s credential program. 

 

Leresche’s family played a major role in his career path — his mom, dad and grandfather were all teachers. Previously, Leresche worked at MVHS as a paraeducator, but after deciding to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), he left to get his master’s degree and complete the program needed to become a BCBA. 

 

Outside of school, Leresche enjoys playing golf, traveling to Africa to visit his extended family, swimming and spending time with his wife and son through arts and crafts, board games and outdoor sports. He also coaches water polo year-round and has been coaching high school baseball for 15 years.

 

What Leresche appreciates most about his job is his bond with students and having the ability to help them achieve more than they thought was possible. Leresche acknowledges that one of the largest challenges he has faced through his educational life is “navigating the balance between academic rigor and mental health.” 

 

“I do think that more could be done [at MVHS] to focus on [the] well-rounded aspects of a person,” Leresche said. “Being someone who's done sports, cultural activities and various other things his whole life, I think there's more to life than just academics.”