Since the start of the school year, San Marcos High School has welcomed several new teachers. After a few months in our classrooms they have settled in, already forming great connections with their students and benefitting the school with their fresh enthusiasm and dedication.
This October, we are shining a spotlight on the new teachers. Find out what makes them stand out and how they experienced their first few weeks at San Marcos.
Mr. Durkin – French
Mr Durkin moved to France after graduating. After a few years of working as a teacher in France he decided to come back to the United States and start teaching at San Marcos. Mr Durkin discovered he likes teaching through tutoring at his high school in Los Angeles. He says he enjoys explaining things and seeing students “get it”. He understands that learning a language can be very difficult but Mr Durkin encourages his students to get out of their comfort zone. “Language learning is something you have to practice to get better. It is totally fine to make mistakes. I’m a teacher and I still make mistakes. You just have to be brave.”
Mrs. Hardeman – Chemistry
Mrs. Hardeman taught Biology most of her life but switched to teaching chemistry when the district needed more chemistry teachers. She loves teaching something new and has thoroughly enjoyed learning the subject of chemistry.
Mrs. Hardeman decided to become a teacher during college as she found herself often explaining things to her fellow students who then suggested the educational path as a result of her good explanations.
She has been working in the school district for only three years as she grew up overseas and taught the past 24 years in the Philippines and Japan. “It was really different. In the Philippines I used to go to the open market to get cow hearts and pig eyes for dissections,” said Mrs. Hardeman. “So instead of ordering them preserved from a biology supply company, I just went and bought fresh ones.”
Overall Mrs. Hardeman says she really enjoys San Marcos because of the students and the school spirit.
Mr. Cordes – World History
Mr. Cordes is from Santa Barbara and says he loves to be able to teach in the community he grew up with. He spent his school days at Dos Pueblos High School and taught the last year at Santa Barbara High School but says he loves San Marcos High School. “I think history is important because there are a lot of great lessons you learn by looking at the past. Through that hopefully we can make the world better in the present and the future.” said Mr. Cordes on why he is teaching history. Mr. Cordes says he loves watching students grow their knowledge and that he likes to play the drums whenever he has time for it.
Mr. Cuthbert – Physics
Mr. Cuthbert primarily teaches Physics to freshmen and enjoys the hands-on nature of it. He likes the ability to do experiments and facilitate students doing experiments in groups. Mr. Cuthbert thinks it is fun to see students doing and experiencing things instead of him standing in front of the class and talking. He likes when students naturally come up with questions during such activities. “I try to foster in the classroom when students can forget that they are in school and just be fully engaged with the activity they are doing. Teaching and learning can be fun.”Mr. Cuthbert says. When Mr. Cuthbert is not teaching; he currently trains for the California International Marathon in December and likes to go to concerts.
Whether it is believing in their student’s ability to speak French, learn lessons through History, understand Chemistry, or experiment and experience Physics, our new teachers help students to broaden their knowledge with their fresh approaches and their motivation to contribute to our school.