Ms. Ellen Hohenstein

For this teacher’s appreciation week, one teacher I want to acknowledge is Ms. Ellen Hohenstein. Her hard work and dedication that is put into this school and her students is astounding.

Starting off in her class my junior year, I was unsure of what path I would follow. I know about my love for psychology and the brain. In her class that love only flourished. I have always been fascinated by different mental disorders, and in her class, I was able to dive further into this area. We learned about a variety of mental disorders and the functions of the brain.

The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog by Bruce D. Perry was one of the most fascinating and eye opening books I’ve ever read. It truly taught me the importance of brain development in children and opened my eyes to a career in pediatric psychiatric nursing which is what I am going to pursue.

Her class gave the guidance I needed as well as another major topic was social psychology. It was one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever had the experience of learning, and it taught me why people do what they do. Oftentimes, on my way home after her class, I’d encounter a situation exactly like it, such as “the bystander effect,” or “halo effect.” This all taught me to look at the world in a whole new perspective.

Another thing I was to thank Ms. Hohenstein for is for being a pioneer of the FACES program here at Hoover. That program has truly expanded my knowledge on all things health care, and through it, I was able to shadow professionals at the Rady Children’s Hospital, and intern in facilities such as Planned Parenthood and Mid City Can.

Mrs Hohenstien has been such an inspiration to me.  In so many ways her work here at Hoover High is greatly appreciated and should be heavily acknowledged more.

~Fidel Cabrera

Mrs. Monalisa Caldwell

Teachers by definition are people who teach, especially in a school. Although this is the definition, teachers are vital people in our lives as they teach us basic knowledge and life skills. On average kids are with teachers for 6 hours of the day and if we break that up time wise, kids are with teachers for most of the day so it’s jot surprising that students find connections with teachers and see them as a parental figure.

I myself have had two teachers who I have looked up too. One being my third grade teacher Mrs. Caldwell.  Although it was a long time ago, I still remember her because she was there in a pivotal time of my life when I lost my grandpa.  She didn’t do anything specific but having someone who is there helps with the grief. I remember her for how nice she was to all the students and how she helped us. She never got mad at us and when we were not understanding things, even if it was as simple as spelling, she never got mad.

At the time, Ms. Caldwell had a little girl who looked just like her when she brought her to “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” The whole class was excited because for once we were the big kids who were watching the little kid and seeing what she would do. That day we did crafts and just enjoyed having another person in the class. I gained my love for reading from Ms. Caldwell too. Though it didn’t stick with me as now I find it hard to find a good book but when I do, I finish it within a couple days. She made reading fun and interesting.  She really did bring more fun to my young life and that is why, years later, I appreciate her.

Mrs. Caldwell is a current teacher at Joyner Elementary

~Belen Alonso

Mr. Tony Samaniego

The only teacher I could do the full four years of high school with was Mr. Samaniego, who is going to retire this year. Sticking with us for the four years, we were able to watch ourselves grow from young teenagers to young adults.

With a class that has built a close relationship throughout the years, we were able to make connections not only with school work but also personally. Mr Samaniego was always that one older parent who would take care of us and teach us the way of life, the next step. It was a long journey to go through his life stories and his funny jokes he always wanted to share with the class. Our connection with Mr. Samaniego as an English class is unforgettable

I learned so much from his class, he taught me through his teachings how to improve my critical thinking, the ability to think, and critical reading skills. I have always passionately hated to read, but I was able to learn to love that skill when it came to reading together as a class and analyzing.

I have developed a family-like bond with the group of people I have been going through class with every single day. I started as a quiet and shy student at first, but the bonds and communications with my classmates have improved me as a person and helped me develop skills that I did not expect to have until I got older.

If it were not for his class, I would not have met some of the people I have the closest relationships with. Such as my girlfriend and my best friends. I cannot wish for a better teacher for my English class. I have grown and matured in these four years of his teaching in the best way possible.

His inspiring storytelling and his advice will always stick in one’s head. When I came for life and in general advice, he was the perfect person to communicate with. His kindness and humor will always make him one of the best English teachers.

~Oliver Arce

Mr. Kyle Benson

Mr. Benson is a chill guy who cares for his students. He makes sure we are all receiving the help we need and advocates for our education rights.

I met Benson my sophomore year when I was academically struggling. I needed extra support when I was given a case manager. At the time I was confused on why I had to meet with him frequently. I didn’t understand that my education was at risk. He helped me reach out to teachers and taught me how to not be afraid to ask for help.

I was lost and unmotivated. I knew I wanted to make a difference and do better but I didn’t know where to start. So, Mr. Benson helped me create a plan that would allow me to reach my goals. I started off by attending tutoring and turning in all late assignments. At first, I noticed no difference but after a while my teachers slowly started grading my work and I saw a difference.

What helped me the most was having the support of my lovely case manager. He was by my side the whole time. Making sure I was putting my part in fighting for my own education. I’m glad I was eligible for extra support because I met such a caring person.

Mr.Benson cares for me and I appreciate it very much because no other staff has ever demonstrated to me so much support like he did. I was able to accomplish my goals in doing better at school because I had someone who cared about me along the way. Knowing I have someone who cares motivated me to do better. I knew I had to demonstrate to him that I was capable of becoming a better student.

I am beyond grateful for him, I will forever appreciate him for sticking by my side and never giving up on my journey. He is the best case manager out there.

~ Dhalia Arriaga

Ms. Val Woodfill

I chose Ms. Woodfill for being one of the best teacher highlights for Teacher Appreciation Week because she not only inspired me but also many other students that encounter her as an English teacher

Ms. Woodfill has inspired many Hoover students to develop and participate in outstanding educational opportunities. She grabs students’ attention by preparing educational based opportunities and having them present what they are and what benefits would come out of their activity. For example, Ms. Woodfill scheduled a presentation from EMT specialists, firefighters, neurosurgeons, and most importantly the programs and activities that Hoover High has on campus.

One of the best things about Ms. Woodfill is that she’s always enthusiastic and has a positive attitude that shows others how appreciative and grateful she is to be here on campus teaching the fundamentals of English. She has many great things to say about each and every one of us that have met her before. When it comes to meeting new people, she always has a smile on and tries to be welcoming for everyone to be comfortable no matter what. One thing that Ms. Woofill always says is “I try to make my classroom comfortable and one that is very vibrant and that any student would enjoy walking inside because of how embracing it is.”

I believe that Ms. Woofill is one of the best English teachers I have come across because she has great empathy, collaboration with many students on campus and to those that she has helped to graduate, and great patience toward students to create an engaging learning environment in her classroom.

~ Santiago De La Cruz

Mr. Steve Ingrum

The teacher that I would like to shout out during Teacher Appreciation Week is my 8th grade US history teacher, Steve Ingrum.

Prior to 8th grade, I wasn’t that interested in history, let alone history about ancient China. Especially since we had just come back from online learning due to the Covid quarantine, my interest in school was at an all time low. Out of all the teachers in my schedule, I only recognized three of my teachers, Mr. Ingrum being one of them. I had only had his class the year before which was on Zoom, so I didn’t know much about him and I didn’t expect much from his in person class. Despite my prior thoughts, I gave him a chance.

In hindsight, I’m so glad that I did. Mr.Ingrum made his class engaging with reenactments, the movies he picked, and the overall course of the class. I would remember being happy to go to his class and learn something new. Even on test days, I was never worried because of how well I was able to retain information in his class. Some of my friends would complain that their history teacher was dreadful and boring, but they would never hear a peep out of me unless it was about how fun the Boston Massacre Reenactment was to do. Mr. Ingrum made history fun again.

Apart from the course that he taught in class, he was just a down to earth person. I was very comfortable to be in his class and presence, he was fun to be around. I liked how he was a very understanding person not just to me but with my classmates as well. He understood that people have different lives and will have different issues, I respected him for that. He challenged me everyday to fully understand the concepts so that during a test I wouldn’t even need the notes. I appreciated and appreciate what he has done for me and many other students. I wish him the best of luck in whatever situation he may be in.

Mr. Stephen Ingrum is a current teacher at Creative Performing Media Arts Middle School

~Quincy Enyama-Turner

Ms. Shari Kha

I’ve had a lot of amazing teachers throughout my years at Hoover, but one of the teachers I appreciate the most is world history teacher, Ms. Shari Kha.

I had Mrs. Kha for AP World History in my sophomore year. Her class was my least favorite at the beginning of the school year. It was the first AP class I’ve ever taken, and I wasn’t ready for all the work. Slowly throughout the year, I started to like the class more and more. The first topics we learned were boring, but Mrs. Kha always found ways to make things interesting. She gave us assignments that allowed us to explore the topic while also being artistic and creative. As the AP exam approached, she did a good job of reviewing all the topics and making sure we were well prepared.

After my sophomore year, I no longer had Mrs. Kha as my teacher, but I would go up to her classroom for lunch, which is very welcoming, and she has a lot of board games that my friends and I like to play. She always asks us how we are doing and regularly checks in with us. Mrs. Kha likes to make sure that my friends and I are eating healthy and not just having junk food during school. She talks to us about eating better and will occasionally offer us a healthy snack.

While I was taking her class, I appreciated the way she was able to properly teach so many topics that revolved around so many different places. There was a lot to learn, but our class was able to learn everything we needed. Now that I’m no longer in her class, I appreciate how she cares about her previous students. She is very supportive and encouraging regarding her students’ futures and truly wants the best for everyone.

~ Jasmin Gallegos

Mrs. Veronica Lias

During Teacher Appreciation Week, not many teachers are appreciated for their hard work and dedication and many go underappreciated. One teacher I would like to spotlight is my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Veronica Lias.

One of the first schools I have ever attended was Joyner Elementary. I made a lot of connections with many classmates but I never really felt connected or engaged with many teachers up until 5th grade. My teacher was not just a teacher but an inspiration and a motivator to many students. The reason that she became one of my favorite teachers is because of her patience and kindness to students. Many of my other teachers tended to lose their patience with students which made the class unpleasant but in her class I didn’t have to worry about that. However one downfall that I did have in 5th grade was that I had to transfer into online learning because of the virus going around. I was afraid of not being able to understand the work or feeling left behind.

Covid-19 made it really difficult for some to understand since you couldn’t be taught physically but with all the difficulty my teacher proceeded to make it work. Our entire class had Zoom meetings where she would teach us how to do math using Jamboard. It made it easier to understand and not only that but she held patience with us while we all tried to figure this out. I think that the way she helped us through online learning and guided  us through really made me appreciate her more because I knew many other teachers would not be so patient. Her personality and attitude really made me look forward to school and stay positive on things just like she did.

Mrs. Veronica Lias is a current teacher at Joyner Elementary

~ Emily Garcia

Mr. Espinoza

A teacher I appreciate the most is a sub I had for my math class my freshman year, Mr. Espinoza.

My original math teacher, Ms.Teuthorn had gotten pregnant and had to leave for a couple months and at first we had random substitute teachers coming in and out but then we were introduced to Mr. Espinoza. Right off the bat I knew he was going to be a cool teacher by the way he carried himself and showed how patient he’d be with us considering we hadn’t had a “real” teacher. At this point in my freshman year, I kinda stopped caring and did what I wanted to do which was ditch class and only go when I felt like it. Math was one of the harder classes to go to because I couldn’t stand the fact that I just wasn’t naturally good at it. I hated the feeling I got when I looked around confused about the work only to see everyone else doing it with no issues.

Mr. Espinoza always knew the reason as to why I wasn’t in class but he never shamed me for it. Never made me feel stupid for making stupid choices. One thing he did do, was encourage me to actually try. He knew I was smart. I just wasn’t applying myself but, I never saw myself like that. I thought I just wasn’t smart enough. After I realized that he really did believe in me, I started feeling bad because he’d always catch me around school but almost never in his class. The look of disappointment on his face was enough to make me start going to class more often. I noticed I did understand math and it wasn’t super difficult, I just wasn’t trying.

I started enjoying it a lot even when I didn’t understand it, I always felt comfortable to ask Mr. Espinoza for help. I’ll never forget him and the impact he had on me and my grades. He motivated me to put in effort for all my classes so I didn’t have bad grades my freshman year even though I wasn’t making smart choices. It’s been a year since I had him as my teacher but I’m still so thankful for him and I hope one day I’ll be able to sit in a class he’s teaching again.

~ Natally Leon

Mr. John Ta

The teacher I appreciate the most is my English teacher that I’ve had for two years, Mr. John Ta.

Mr. Ta has taught me many things throughout the time that I’ve been his student. One is I can achieve anything I set my mind to. My first year with Mr. Ta was difficult. As a sophomore, I was struggling a lot in his class and didn’t really have the motivation to do anything. When I saw I had him again this year I saw it as an opportunity to make up for my past mistakes in his class and show him that I was able to pass his class. I want to thank Mr. Ta for always pushing me to work hard. He is one of the best teachers here at Hoover in my opinion. What I like the most about Mr Ta is the way he challenges his students. During class discussions Mr. Ta always encourages us to talk and share our ideas. He pushes us to think deeper and express ourselves more clearly. He teaches students to reach their full potential and challenge themselves to do things that may be out of their comfort zone.

Mr. Ta has become more than just a teacher to many students. Many see him as a mentor to guide them. I see Mr. Ta as a teacher who I can go to for anything. I think that he is a really trusting teacher who will be honest with you and give you the advice you need to hear. Mr. Ta believes in all his students and knows they can achieve anything as long as they put in the work.

Mr. Ta always makes sure his students feel comfortable in his class. He is a chill teacher but when it comes to work Mr. Ta is more strict because he expects a lot from his students. Although many may think that Mr. Ta’s work is hard, it really isn’t after you get used to it. All you have to do is pay attention in class and understand what he is looking for when he’s grading. He challenges his students because he knows we can do the work. I really do appreciate Mr Ta because now I believe in myself more than I did before.

~ Sarai Mendoza

Ms. Samantha Dawson

About all the teachers I’ve had, since kindergarten and until now have been held in a special place in my heart. But there have been those teachers who have shown care and support in ways that I don’t think other teachers would have cared to do. And one of these amazing teachers was my 5th grade teacher, Ms. Dawson at Central Elementary.

I always appreciated the fact that her classroom always provided a safe and connecting environment for the students. For example, one of the systems she set up in class were students would choose their pick of classroom jobs like setting up decorations for holidays. During one of those holidays, specifically Dia de los Muertos, she gave students the chance to open up and share the memories of their loved ones who passed away in a way to bring them comfort.

I would say that during my time in her class,it allowed me to open my mind on certain things I didn’t care for. One of them being the fact that I was also never much of a reader. And so when Ms.Dawson introduced the class to Wonder, I obviously did not want to read it but later on realized that it was because of this book and teacher, that I didn’t mind having to read and actually looked forward to reading it, especially with the movie we would watch after.

Not to mention all the fun experiences she gave us like celebrating in class for the holidays. One of my favorite times to look back on was during Christmas time. We each grabbed a canvas that we would later wrap a gift to whoever we’d like. It was a calming process at first until many, myself included, might have gone too crazy with the glitter as it started off nice then looked a mess with glitter but it’s still a wonderful memory to think about and all the laughter we shared. Near the end of the school year, Ms.Dawson took the class over to the nearby park where we would be able to spend our last few  moments of fun with friends before going into middle school.

Looking back at it now, I would say this class was filled with a lot of excitement and joy and ultimately was the cherry on top to wrap up my years at elementary school.

Ms. Samantha Dawson is a current teacher at Central Elementary

~ Tania Mondragon

Mr. Joshua Alkire

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I would like to spotlight Chef Joshua. He’s my culinary arts teacher and I’ve had him both semesters my senior year, and this is his first year at Hoover High School.

He is very patient with his classes, and his class is enjoyable because we get to cook and eat it afterwards. Chef Joshua is a kind and understanding person. He doesn’t get mad when we mess up on some recipe instead, he lets us know what we did wrong and helps us as much as he can to help fix it. He helps us by holding us accountable for the things that we need to do, which helps us be more responsible.

Through his class, I’ve gained a new sense of responsibility. He teaches things we could use in the future, and I learned new skills, how to use things around the kitchen, and much more. He brings good energy to the class, likes to challenge us, and encourages us to do our best. He’s always there for us when we need help.

One of my favorite memories with Chef was when I was in his class during the first semester. That was when I first met him because he was new to Hoover. I was in his fourth-period class, and there were only a few people in that period, so it wasn’t chaotic; it was very calm, fun, and easy. One of my favorite recipes was making pizza. Chef helped us make the dough and tomato sauce from scratch. It was an easy and delicious recipe. I enjoyed this class and I’ll miss his class when I graduate.

~ Eh Paw

Mr. David Erving

A teacher that has inspired me is Mr. David Erving. He has helped me express myself the most and helped me realize the importance of clay.

Mr. Erving has been teaching my siblings back in the 2000s. Ever since my siblings would talk about him and even bring ceramic pieces that they made, I looked up to trying to get his class eventually in high school.

I met Mr. Erving during my junior year, and was excited to be in his class. For the first time in his class, Mr. Erving would play a movie for the first week of his classroom. The movie he played was The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. After the movie, he always tells students to be true to themselves and lets students know that they are capable of being or doing anything they want to do in life.  He really lets everyone know that he cares about his students and lets them be creative and free.

I remember my first time working with clay. I ended up making a name tag that I ended up liking very much. Having to glaze it made me scared but once you ask Mr. Erving for help, he stops what he’s doing and helps you understand how to glaze it, having him help for a bit really makes you confident in yourself to glaze something by yourself.

Mr. Erving has inspired me to continue an interest in ceramics that I ended up wanting to take extra classes in a ceramic class near my house and eventually maybe even be a ceramic teacher.  I want to thank him for letting students be creative and really cheer on his students to do better. Mr. Erving is a great teacher and should have people know that he is. Mr. Erving has helped me a lot and become a better person.

~Estrella Soto

Mrs. Lizeth Lozano

For Teacher Appreciation Week, the first one that comes to mind is my 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Lizeth Lozano. She was my teacher back when I was in Rosa Parks Elementary, and I feel like she just understood me. She believed in me and pushed me to be a better student.

I’m a very social person, and everyone knows that, yes, it could be a good quality, but it also causes problems sometimes when I’m in class because I can’t seem to stay quiet. She knew how talkative I was and energetic, and now that I think about it, I feel bad for constantly talking in her class because she was probably so tired of me, but despite all that, she still always dealt with me.

Now, when I say she believed in me and pushed me, she would always tell me that I was a bright girl and had a bright future, and that I should use my social skills for the good. She said that it was a good thing I was social, but that I just needed to know how and when to use it. She would ask me how I was and how I was feeling, which I know seems like simple courtesy, but it just made me feel seen.

And I know you’re probably thinking that this just sounds like everything I just said sounds like something any teacher would do, but not every teacher cares enough to talk to a student about themselves, let alone push them to be the best version of themselves they can be. Some teachers just don’t care, but she wasn’t one of those teachers, and Lord, am I glad she wasn’t. I just wanted to thank her and I hope she knows I still remember her and I hope she’s doing well.

Mrs. Lizeth Lozano is a current teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary

~ Cielo Ugarte