Teacher Talk profilesTeacher Talk is a series of profiles on California teachers and other educators.
Myron Nelson, retired 1985, Rosemead Elementary School DistrictMyron Nelson spent 69 years in education, including as a fourth-grade teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and director of federal funds. For…
Eva Schmidler, retired 1991, Saddleback Unified School DistrictEva Schmidler says she’s had three completely different careers. All of them in teaching. That doesn’t even count the 25 years she taught tai chi…
Laurence Frame, retired 2001, Gunderson High School, San JoseLaurence Frame is a man of many talents and has a dream: One day they will come. Specifically, he would like a Major League pitcher to accept his…
Craig Rowe, Truckee High School, 2022 Placer County Teacher of the YearCraig Rowe never saw himself becoming a teacher. Growing up in the 70s and 80s in Hayward, he remembers school as a diverse yet factional place with…
Mark Galipeau, retired 2017, Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School DistrictRetired elementary teacher Mark Galipeau took to the seas in retirement. He spends some of his time helping sail historic tall ships.
Francisco Laguna, Eastwood Elementary School, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School DistrictFrancisco “Mr. Franco” Laguna became a teacher in 1997 after volunteering at a nearby after-school reading program.
David Salvaggio, retired 2013, Moreno Valley High SchoolRetired teacher David Salvaggio uses poetry to document his decades as a California educator in his book “Restless Gold: Musings About California’s…
Wayne Boudreau, retired 2020, Inspire Charter SchoolsWayne Boudreau has taught physical education off and on since 1969, but he has always kept his love of moving.
Lance Gunnersen, trades and industry instructor, El Dorado High School, PlacervilleLance Gunnersen knows he’s teaching his students skills they can use straight out of high school and beyond. As a trades and industry instructor at El…
Tony Brancato, substitute teacher at Beaumont Unified School District and retired principal, Orcutt Union School DistrictTony Brancato loves education so much he couldn’t stay retired. After 20 years as a principal and seven years as a teacher, he tried to stop working.
John Carratello, retired 2016, San Jacinto Unified School DistrictAuthor, musician, educator—John Carratello is a person of many talents. Along with his wife, Patricia—a former Riverside County Teacher of the Year—he…
Josh Fernandez, Folsom Lake College, Mule Creek State PrisonCommunity college professor Josh Fernandez didn’t take a direct path to teaching, nor was it originally his calling. It took finding someone who…
Cecilia Estrada, retired 2003, San Diego Unified School DistrictFormer teacher and administrator Cecilia Estrada began her career in 1966 and tried to retire 37 years later. After a quick break, she ended up…
Margaret Hicks, Oak Tree Community Day SchoolMargaret Hicks builds connections with her fifth and sixth grade students, challenging the traditional model of discipline in her work at Oak Tree…
Joe I. Mendoza, Ventura County Office of EducationAfter 63 years of service in education, Joe Mendoza enjoys his current job as director of Special Populations Educational Support with the Ventura…
Mary Higbee, retired 2007, Rescue Union School DistrictMary Higbee always wanted to teach but didn’t earn her credential until she was in her 40s. She made up for lost time by heading to Africa after…
Marcia Benjamin, Laney CollegeWhen budget cuts hit Laney College’s Kinesiology Department, Marcia Benjamin added a side gig teaching a fee-based swimming class at the college to…
Bob Brown, Retired 2014, Simi Valley Unified School DistrictIn 2017, retired high school math teacher Bob Brown and his wife Elizabeth discovered the Empathy Tent during an event in Los Angeles and found their…
Kristina Shea, Rio Linda High SchoolKristina Shea has worked the last four years as an education specialist at Rio Linda High School and is proud of the progress her students make. “When…
Myndi Hardgrave, Hanford West High SchoolThe one thing Myndi Hardgrave is proud of, “without a doubt,” is helping launch the GSA at Hanford West. “That will stand out the rest of my career as…
Autumn Browne, Brookhurst Junior High School, AnaheimMiddle school drama teacher Autumn Browne started her career in television journalism and acting.