As the school year comes to an end, seniors are not the only ones leaving the islands. This year, there are two teachers that are starting a new chapter away from the teaching world.
Mr. Mark Stevens is an English teacher and has been teaching for 30 years. 23 of those years were spent teaching solely for the Oxnard Union High School District. In the past Stevens taught Theater and Film Analysis classes, as he is also credited with writing a screenplay.
“It’s been a great 30 years and it went by quickly,” Stevens said.
Stevens also mentioned he was inspired to teach by a former teacher of his. Looking back at his career, Stevens said he learned “a lot” from his students, and offered him a new perspective while teaching.
“I learned to see the world from another set of eyes,” Stevens said.
When asked what he’d like from future generations in education, Stevens stated that he’d like to see, “the hunger to learn more” from students.
Mr. Juan Rodriguez is the Welding and Manufacturing Instructor and he’s been teaching at the islands for the past four years. He started his teaching career in Simi Valley as a part time welding instructor for adults. Before arriving at Channel Islands, Rodriguez was also an instructor at the Career and Education Center in Camarillo.
“I became a teacher to give back to the community,” said Mr. Rodriguez
Since Mr. Rodriguez started teaching, he has helped build the current welding program to make it what it is today.
“I’m really happy that I was able to get this off the ground,” said Rodriguez. “This was a lot of work and I’m leaving something behind for future generations.”
Looking back on his career as a teacher, Rodriguez says that he’s surprised at some of his students ‘careers after high school. “I have students that went on to start their own businesses, and they call me back and they let me know how they’re doing,” Rodriguez said.
“That’s what surprised me the most, that they really made it.”
Rodriguez wants all his students to thrive outside of high school, advising that the reality of the job market and starting a career can be difficult at first. “I just hope that they can be successful because it’s hard out there, and if you’re not ready, it’ll swallow you up.”
