Person

Hogan, Andrew

1985

Before going off to college, I was able to work at Monte Vista Elementary in Santa Ana, California—I was brought in to help get the school’s technology under control. In just a year, I was able to repair most of the school’s older computers and then secure funding for many new systems—at the height of the California budget crisis. Even the youngest students expressed their gratitude for my efforts, and their thanks simply melted my heart. It broke my heart to leave in 2010 to off to college, but I was confident that I had made a positive impact on the school and the students during my short time at Monte Vista. While earning my BA in Legal Studies and English at the University of California, Berkeley, my eyes were opened to a new world that simply did not exist in suburban Orange County. I had the privilege to learn about different cultures, different ideologies, and political philosophies. I am who I am today, in part, due to my time at the University of California. In 2014, I returned to the district, and I took on many new roles in addition to my official position as a computer technician. After joining the Advanced Learning Academy team, I was given the opportunity to work with students one on one and in small group instruction to help them better understand both world history and comparative politics. I also helped facilitate a “MakerSpace” full of tools that help foster creativity while also teaching video productions, overseeing the creation of the weekly news, and worked to create a school yearbook. After earning my teaching credential in 2018, I received my first full-time teaching job with Washington Union School District at San Benancio Middle School. Like my time in Santa Ana, I have taken on many more roles beyond teaching History (and initially Literature as well). At San Benancio, I am currently serving as ASB director and I have also served as Director of Athletics and