Since 2010, Mr. Lashua has been a fixture in the performing arts at Santa Barbara Junior High School. After finishing his BA in Dramatic Art at UCSB, he earned his teaching credential and a Master's in Education from Azusa Pacific University. At SBJHS his primary role is overseeing the fall play and spring musical of its theatre program, but over the years he has become the Performing Arts Club staff advisor, created the Acting for Camera film program in 2012, assisted with teaching percussion for the marching band's drumline, co-created the annual "Maycation" end-of-year variety show, and coordinated with the choir program to take multiple trips to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and to sing on Broadway in New York City! He also serves on the school's Site Leadership Team and is regularly featured popping up in random situations such as staff vs. student sports at lunch or shamelessly making a fool of himself at a pep rally. 

A native of Pleasanton, CA, Mr. Lashua attended UCSB to study theatre. After graduating, he formed a nonprofit theatre company that performed regionally in addition to his own efforts onstage in North Hollywood. To maintain their nonprofit status, he regularly volunteered as an assistant director in youth productions at SBJH and offered youth improv classes to at-promise youth in the community. Eventually the teaching and mentoring side of theatre was taking more time and energy than the development and performing, so when a position opened up at SBJH in 2010, he jumped at the chance, and has been here ever since. His primary focus is creating a culture of belonging, creativity, and collaboration, as most SBUSD students do not have formal theatre exposure prior to junior high school. 

He was honored as the Santa Barbara County Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year in 2025, and is a passionate advocate for arts education in the district, serving on several arts committees and speaking at board meetings to give every child every chance, every day.