AP Government/Economics and Psychology teacher Erik Axelsson, a Los Gatos High School alumnus, recently joined the school’s staff to begin his teaching career. He is substituting for teacher Hana Chen, who is out on maternity leave for the first semester.

After graduating from Los Gatos, Axelsson joined the Navy and worked there as a ship serviceman. When he left the Navy, he decided to dive into the field of hair styling.

He thus decided to go to Zenzi’s Beauty college, located at San Francisco, to become a hairdresser. His hair styling career continued for about 20 years until the profession became mundane for him.

“After 10 years of doing hair, I started to get really sick of it, and it wasn't really fulfilling anymore,” Axelsson said.

Eleven years ago, Axelsson made up his mind to be a history teacher and went back to school to get his bachelor’s degree at UCLA and teaching credential at San Jose State University.

Axelsson is happy to make LGSUHSD the first district he has worked for.

Axelsson said he is also delighted to be teaching in such an education-centered environment so far.

“It’s great to be finally be teaching in a district where education is coveted as it is,” Axelsson said. “It’s been a long hard journey for me, but it’s really gratifying to be back in the district where it all started.”

Axelsson expects to find a permanent job elsewhere or to continue subbing after Chen returns from maternity leave.