Mr. Brandon Fine, English Teacher
Téa Summers- Staff Writer
PURPOSE: From coach to teacher, Mr. Brandon Fine makes the Poly campus his home.
After attending Cal Poly Pomona and beginning as a coach here at Riverside Poly, Mr. Brandon Fine discovered his love for teaching and building relationships with the students. All his time spent with the Poly staff and kids as a coach, opened his eyes to the idea of being a teacher, which pushed him to return to college and obtain his teaching credential. Although he always had an idea that he wanted to help children expand their knowledge and understandings, coaching finally showed him how much he really wanted to teach. After attending California Baptist University, Mr. Fine returned to Poly as a Language Arts teacher. He knew that Poly was the school he wanted to teach at based upon his wonderful experience as a coach, and Poly is where he claims the environment is top notch all around. Mr. Fine’s passion for literature emanates from how he believes that it pertains to nearly every aspect of our world. “Literature helps us make sense of the world, and it is important to teach students how to analyze that”, explains Mr. Fine. Mr. Fine is a wonderful addition to the Poly family and we wish him the best as he transitions from coach to teacher.
Mr. Hugo Bocanegra, Art Teacher
Delaney Norris- Staff Writer
TEACHING: Mr. Bocanegra is ready to show the art supplies who’s boss this school year.
The 2021-2022 school year has brought many new changes to the Poly community. A new campus, new rules to follow, and some new teachers. Among all of these new teachers is Mr. Bocanegra, the new draw and paint teacher located in room 204. Mr. Bocanegro spent his first year teaching behind a computer screen, and is excited to kick off his second year in person. He got his bachelors at Cal State San Bernardino and his Masters and Teaching Credential at University of Redlands. Bocanegra decided to take his talents to Poly because of his liking for the district. He states that “it just felt like the teachers cared to do things with the students in terms of the arts.” He also expressed his appreciation for the staff and students for making him feel so welcome. “I have so much support from everyone here” explained Bocanegra. Before his teaching days, Mr. Bocanegra worked at a restaurant, and because of his passion for teaching, he loved to train new employees. As he got into his upper-course training in college, he really fell in love with teaching art. Ultimately it became the right class for him to teach because “students don’t have to feel like there’s a right or wrong answer”, Bocanegra expressed. Mr. Bocanegra is a wonderful addition to Poly and we all wish him the best of luck as he adjusts to Poly.
Mr. Isiah Emaguna, Counselor
Devin Varner- Staff Writer
JOURNEY: Newcomer Isiah Emaguna joins the Bear family as an addition to Riverside Poly High School’s counseling team.
Originally from Orange County, Isiah Emaguna came to Riverside with encouragement from his fiancé and a job offer he received from Riverside Poly High School. Emaguna’s journey to Poly High School began at Cal Poly Pomona, where he majored and received his undergraduate degree in ethnic studies. While in college Emaguna made many memories; his favorite, aside from graduating, being the time he and his friend attended class in onesies. “We showed up to all of our classes wearing onesies just to mess with the teachers,” reminisces Emaguna with a grin. After graduating, he proceeded to obtain a masters in science and educational counseling at National University, an online college.
When he finished his education, Emaguna intended to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a math teacher. Although inspired by his father, Emaguna soon realized he enjoyed helping his students on a more personal level than a teaching position provided. His brother, who had made a career as a counselor, convinced Emaguna to explore the profession. It did not take long for Emaguna to fall in love with his job.
Before Emaguna came to Poly, he worked at Savanna High School in the Anaheim Unified School District. Emaguna would soon realize significant differences between Savanna and Poly. “Something I notice here at Poly versus my previous school is there are a lot of generational families that come through here,” explains Emaguna. He decided to continue his journey to Poly because of its rich history and huge sense of pride, as well as the potential for Emaguna to make his own history here at Poly.
Emaguna strives to help his students by creating a safe space and becoming a resource for students to express themself in a protected space. Counseling provides him with the opportunity to make a positive impact on his students. “I really just want to make an imprint on the next generation that comes through here,” mentions Emaguna, “whether they don’t remember my name, they can say they had a really cool counselor who did everything he could to help.” Emaguna’s enthusiasm for counseling students will undoubtedly provide a much needed resource to the Poly community during these uncertain times. Poly welcomes Isiah Emaguna to the Bear Family.
Mrs. Jasmine Juarez, Language Arts Teacher
Amelia Chavez- Staff Writer
JOURNEY: Mrs. Juarez recounts her path towards becoming a teacher
Jasmine Juarez has all the perfect qualities for being a teacher. Sweet, kind, and patient. “Being a teacher was not first on my list” Mrs. Juarez states. Mrs. Juarez actually started her career in social media marketing. During this time she would volunteer around her church where she helped high school students. This was her turning point. These students helped show her how much she enjoys teaching. They motivated her to go back to Cal State Fullerton and get her teaching credentials.
Mrs. Juarez is enthusiastic about her culture and loves to share it, so it was no surprise when she decided she wanted to teach Spanish. Her favorite part is seeing her students understand what she’s teaching. She loves to hear them communicate with her and each other.
Mrs. Juarez was a bit nervous transitioning from King to Poly. She soon felt very welcomed, thanks to the hospitality of the World Language Department. “The world language department has been so welcoming; they’ve helped me with everything. They’re so supportive and they check on me. ‘Hey, are you doing okay?’, ‘Hey, do you need help with anything?’; they helped me to feel welcomed and to feel like I’m in the right place.” Mrs. Juarez says.
Poly is lucky to have Mrs. Juarez as a teacher. Her kind demeanor and patience are just some of the outstanding qualities she possesses. However, I believe her best quality is her passion. Not only for her culture but for her students.
Mr. Zachary Norris, Special Education Teacher
Jaidyn Gayman- Staff Writer
CHANGE: Poly High School is improving and growing in every aspect.
Poly is bursting with new energy in every area, from the physical renovations throughout campus to the new incoming freshmen and staff additions. Zachary Norris, a special education teacher, is one of the new members to the Poly staff. Mr.Norris attended California Baptist University as an undergraduate, and then got his teaching credentials at Cal State San Bernardino. When asked what inspired him to become a teacher, he said,“I never thought I’d be a teacher to be honest with you,” Mr. Norris paused, “I wanted to work in law enforcement in college. Once I realised that it probably wasn’t going to be the path that fit my personality, I started substitute teaching and coaching at Poly. And I just fell in love with teaching, specifically in the area that I teach; which is special education. I got a lot of exposure to special education and with kids, I just enjoyed the environment and what it stood for.” When asked what makes Mr. Norris so passionate about the job, he went on to explain how he loves the kids and his students. “I think the kids are what makes me passionate about it. Every kid is just so unique. Not only in my subject of special education, but also in coaching, and being involved with kids in general. I am excited to teach anything. So I could teach math. I can teach english. I can teach history, whatever piques my interest. It is always something new every year.” Norris considers his time at Poly to be a good transition, and an overall positive experience thus far.
Ms. Eliana Amaya, Counselor
Caitlin Gann- Staff Writer
CHANGE: New and exciting things on campus.
Eliana Amaya is one of the many new staff members we are welcoming this year at Poly High School. Amaya is a Poly alumni and got her Masters of Science in school counseling at California Baptist University. Before starting her masters program, Amaya had been working in juvenile hall and with adults. When asked why she decided to become a counselor she replied that seeing the gap there made her want to provide help to students before they got to that point of having to go to juvenile detention. Amaya wishes she could have seen “what they[kids in juvenile detention] would have been like prior to getting into that kind of situation.” Amaya always knew that she wanted a job where she could help people. She wanted to be a detective to help solve crimes, but her path later down the line led her to counseling. “I did my intern hours this past year also here at Poly. It’s kind of cool to transition from being an intern to now having a full role as a counselor,” Amaya explained. She loves that she was able to stay a part of the Poly community. Amaya describes enjoying the “interactions I get with students and colleagues just being able to provide support and help to them in any way that they need and just seeing their transition and their chance is really rewarding.” Poly is having so many new and exciting changes on campus this year which is making our school change for the better.
Mr. Rusty Bailey, History Teacher
Holly Pulley- Staff Writer
INSPIRE: Post-mayorship, Rusty Bailey comes back to Poly to teach bright young minds interested in Government.
After serving two terms as Riverside’s very own mayor, Rusty Bailey decided to step down from office and teach at Polytechnic High School, and we couldn’t be happier. He now teaches Government, Economics and World History and loves inspiring bright young minds so history doesn’t repeat itself. “Government affects our daily life, and history informs us on how to make better decisions and learn from the past,” Bailey states.
Rusty Bailey attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, received his Masters from University of California Los Angeles, and his Teaching Credential from Cal State San Bernardino. He was also in the military, where he was given the roles of helicopter pilot, platoon leader, and company executive officer. The military taught him a lot of things, like becoming a better leader and understanding the decision-making process, especially in life and death situations. It also taught him the importance of discipline, specifically self-discipline, and working through a chain of command. When asked if the roles he was given were a lot of pressure, he responded, “For a twenty-two year old, yeah, it’s a little pressure. But that’s what the training at West Point prepared you for.”
Bailey taught at Poly High School for 10 years before running for mayor, and now that he’s back, it’s taken a little bit of adjusting. He explained that the first weeks he began teaching again, his legs were sore and he almost lost his voice. “I slept real good that first weekend,” Bailey expressed. Getting into teaching shape is harder than us students may think, but Mr. Bailey is a fighter, and we are so glad to have him as one of the many amazing teachers here at Poly High School.