Mr. Andrew Navarro is a former student from Pacifica High School who now attends CSUCI and majored in math.

Navarro is one of the many student teachers here at the Islands; he is working with math teacher Mr. Jim McCulley.

Navarro is soon going to teach Geometry and he really enjoys real analysis and Calculus. His favorite part about teaching is that every day is different and is not a routine.

When asked why he wanted to become a teacher Navarro simply said, “There are two major reasons: I love working with the youth and I love mathematics.”

Navarro really enjoys working and interacting with the students here at Channel Islands.

“The staff is awesome! They are very approachable, kind, and sociable,” said Navarro.

Some of the challenges that Navarro has faced during his time here at the Islands are getting the lesson plans written up. “It’s very time consuming,” said Navarro.

As a student in high school, Navarro had good grades and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. He had a lot of friends and was very sociable. Navarro also played soccer all his four years; his most memorable moment in high school was going to practice and then practicing more with his friends.

Ms. Jessica Smith, from CSUCI, is another of the many student teachers here at the Islands; she is working with English teacher Ms. Valerie Aguayo.

Smith was in a cubicle and was working as a technical writer for the Navy, but she felt like she needed to do something that mattered. So she then decided to become a teacher.

For Smith every day is different; she’s always learning something from everyone.

One of the challenges Smith has faced is learning when to intervene and when students need to figure things out on their own.

She definitely enjoys the community here. “All the teachers and administrators have been helpful,” said Smith.

Smith, who grew up in Santa Paula, was a good student who got all A’s and B’s. She was head cheerleader, rally announcer, in Mock Trial, and ASB spirit commissioner. She was always trying and had all honors classes except math.

Student teacher Mr. Kevin Ryan majored in English and is also currently attending CSUCI. He was placed with Ms. Sara Eglitis.

Mr. Ryan has always wanted to become a teacher. He lived in Chile for a while but they didn’t have too many openings. Interacting with students is probably his favorite part.

“They always have something different to say that makes me laugh,” said Ryan.

A challenge that he’s had to face so far is having something different every day and organization. “The workload is very heavy,” said Mr. Ryan.

“They’re awesome! They’re the best,” said Ryan towards the students at the Islands.

Mr. Ryan grew up in Agoura Hills; an as a student, he wished he would have been nicer to the teachers now that he sees how students are toward him.