Published August 31, 2026
BY JADE GRANBERY
After spending much of his career across Carmel Unified School District, Tony Burciaga is returning to CHS to work as a special education paraeducator.
This will mark his eighth year with CUSD following previous positions at Carmel Middle, Tularcitos, Carmel High and River School, in addition to several years in Monterey and Santa Cruz school districts.
Burciaga previously worked at CHS from 2012 to 2016 and is now returning after working at Carmel Middle from 2022 to 2025. His decision to come back was driven in part by his connection with the students, having known some of them since elementary school. Burciaga says he missed working with them and wanted to return to the high school setting.
“I hope to bring more awareness, acceptance and understanding of our students,” says Burciaga.
He emphasizes that the students he works with have the same right to education as everyone else, and increasing awareness and acceptance is an important part of his role.
Compared with elementary and middle schools, Burciaga describes CHS as a more mature atmosphere, with both students and teachers more focused on their individual responsibilities. After working at nearly every level of the district, the special day class teacher is excited to once again be part of the high school community.
