I started at LASA in 2020 coaching Football and Softball. I was the Head Choir Director and Head Band Director at Dobie Middle School from 2016 to 2023.  I am excited to be at LASA starting the 2023-24 school year to support Special Education and Athletics! I received my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Pursued a Master's Degree in Theology from Franciscan University - Steubenville and I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Concordia University - Irving. 

Hi! I'm John Nelson and I have been teaching and coaching in AISD since 2011. Currently at LASA I am the Head Boys Basketball Coach, Special Education Department Chair and I teach Algebra.

After spending my first 12 years in education at Navarro High School, I recently made the move to LASA, joining forces with my Wife, the esteemed, Dr. Pinkston of the English Department. If she were editing this for me, it might have fewer grammatical errors.  My hope is to become a true power couple, to be feared and respected within the LASA community. 

I live with my wife, whom I have already mentioned, my son Jamie, and our dog Thelma. Jamie is a good boy and Thelma is a good dog and the two of them occupy most of my time away from LASA. That said, when I have the time, I do enjoy playing sports, exercising, fishing, traveling, snowboarding, and really any adventuring I can do. Oh! I also have an identical twin brother who lives in Australia. 

I did not go to a fancy college and I do not have an advanced degree. I did go to Warren Wilson College, which is a tiny, beautiful, liberal arts school in the mountains just outside of Asheville. It was great. I ended up walking onto the basketball team, an experience only possible at a tiny school like WWC. (I am still waiting on my first NIL check). I studied Psychology in college and thought I might go into clinical therapy only to scrap that idea immediately following graduation. After a stop in the service industry, followed by a few years in social work, I ended up getting certified to teach and I haven't looked back. 

I love teaching and I love coaching. In my mind they are more the same than they are different. I am not the most organized person you will meet, but I am kind and thoughtful. I am the type of person that sometimes speaks a little too fast in excitement, but also the type of person who sometimes notices and slows down. I am curious and I a strive to always continue learning. 

If you would like to know more about me, feel free to reach out. 

Hello, My Name is Joseph Saldana and this is my first year at LASA High School and looking forward to creating great memories.

For the 24-25 school year I will be teaching PALS, Special Education, Head girls basketball coach, and Head boys track coach. I received my Bachelor's Degree in kinesiology with a Minor in Education from St. Edward's University.  When I am not busy coaching/ teaching, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Megan and my wonderful son Santiago. I live in San Marcos, Texas. In my free time I enjoy playing video games with my son, playing basketball, football and soccer. We also enjoy hiking and camping.