Pacifica High School has recently welcomed a few new members to the school’s faculty, and students are eager to meet them. From a new principal to new tech members, a variety of new staff members have arrived. Each of these new staff members is dedicated to supporting the student body in different ways, and new members add something special to Pacifica’s campus. Now, let’s get to know each of Pacifica’s newest staff!
Everyone on campus has been talking about one new edition in particular: Mrs. Bartlett
. As the new principal, her presence has been much anticipated! Just from the first week of school, her enthusiasm for helping students and staff is notable. She notes how this month has been very busy and has been a period of adjustment, as she notes, “When you are on a high school campus, you start off running, whereas when you’re at the intermediate level, the year starts off at a slower pace. So getting used to the very fast pace of high school has been a lot. My goal this year, from an assistant principal to a principal, is to understand the different systems on campus and understand how I can support everybody here.” Despite the jump from Bell to Pacifica, Mrs. Bartlett is adapting incredibly well and is continuing to create a positive impact on Pacifica’s community, a good sign for how the rest of the school year will go. She stresses the importance of stepping up and being a leader on campus as she explains, “No matter where you are on this campus, we can all be leaders, whether that’s captain of a team or a student in a classroom. We lead our friends and the younger classmen in how we act, and even in how to be an American. And so, I think that I’m always looking for different ways to be a leader, and a leader doesn’t have to be the one up front and standing out, but rather, how do you lead in a positive way from your position on this campus?” Mrs. Bartlett has a clear idea of what it means to be a leader, and it isn’t necessarily the traditional image of leadership. A leader is someone who guides people by example, through kindness, consistency, and integrity. As Pacfica welcomes the new staff members, the mindset Mrs. Bartlett has creates an environment that uplifts and empowers students. Her leadership demonstrates to students and staff alike that everybody on campus can be a leader and that everybody has the ability to shape the culture of the school for the better.
Another addition to the front office is Ms. Santacruz, who has already contributed to the lively environment on campus. She is the new coun
selor for students with last names L-Nguyen. She encourages students to be engaged on campus, stating, “My advice to students at Pacifica is to not procrastinate and get involved in school, whether it is in clubs or sports. Being involved will make your high school experience much more enjoyable and memorable!” Pacifica students are so lucky to have Ms. Santacruz to help guide them to be as successful as possible. She works a variety of programs, including, but not limited to, being the APEX Coordinator, the Cal Grant Coordinator, and the Financial Aid Coordinator. If anyone has any questions or concerns about school, careers, or life in general, Ms. Santacruz is in the office, ready to answer!
This year, Pacifica also introduced three new teachers: Mr. Vu, Ms. Contreras, and Ms. Hourigan. The teachers on campus are the backbone of student integrity, and they plan engaging lessons and go over important materials for student success.
The newest member of Pacifica’s teachers, Mr. Vu, has been the perfect addition to Pacifica’s Career and Technical Education. This program, also known as the CTE Pathway Program, allows students to complete a certificate
after 10 credits and a Capstone class, within a certain criteria of classes. For Mr. Vu, the CTE Program he teaches is the Medical Pathway, which includes the Medical Core and the Capstone Kinesiology. Mr. Vu is a studious and dedicated teacher, as well as someone who truly cares about his students. He explains, “By the end of this year, I hope to connect with my students on a much deeper level to understand them more, and also be able to inspire them to pursue something in the medical field because it is a rewarding field and there are so many opportunities out there. At the end of the day, I just want my students to learn and take something away from this class that they can use for themselves in terms of personal care, personal health, and in the long haul, their future careers.” It is clear that Mr. Vu is dedicated to encouraging students to do their best. He wants students to do their best both in school and in life as he cares deeply about their success. He hopes to be able to utilize his time at Pacifica effectively so that his students can take away something meaningful from his class.
After the retirement of a dear teacher, Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Hourigan has stepped up to the plate and taken over room 112. She has 9 y
ears of teaching experience, with this being her first year at Pacifica High School. She has been teaching Spanish-related classes and is a master in her craft as it is her favorite subject. When asked about her new students, she remarks, “I love teaching freshmen. They make me stay on my toes because they have a lot of energy. I love to teach them because they’re excited for all the little things. My first impression was that the students are very hardworking.” The Freshmen are trying their best to make a good impression, and it seems to be having a positive effect on their new teachers. Being a teacher is no easy feat, but Ms. Hourigan makes it look like light work. She stays sharp around her students, always expecting anything new, and because of this, her students are always prepared. Ms. Hourigan wants students to remember, “I’m here for them whenever they need anything. I’m not just a teacher, I’m also someone they can talk to. I care about their well-being and their future and academics.” This heartwarming message will ensure students know they have someone in their corner when things are looking down.
Another teacher who is shining in the spotlight at Pacifica is Ms. Contreras, the newest English and Theatre teacher.
Some of the upperclassmen may know her from a few years back when she was a student teacher for Mrs. Lowry, or from her temporary position in the library. Now, she has her own spot at Pacifica with a full-time position teaching English 1P, English 3P, Theatre Arts, and she also serves as the Mock Trial Co-Coach. She is very enthusiastic about the first month of school: “I’m really excited to be back at Pacifica. During the time I’ve had at other schools, I loved it, but I always saw Pacifica as home. One of the things that’s really special about Pacifica is the amount of spirit the school has and how students come together to bring it alive. I’m really excited to get to do this job, and I hope that, above all, my students can see me as somebody they can come to. I’m always rooting for their success!” Ms. Contreras not only brings talent and passion to Pacifica but also a positive attitude, exactly what Pacifica needs for the English and Performing Arts departments! She impacts the campus as a whole and also each individual who sits in her classroom.
Teachers and ad
ministration aren’t the only departments that have gotten new members. Meet Mr. Octavio, the new Tech Consultant. He transferred over from Santiago High School to join the Mariner family. He is ready to help anybody in the Tech Room, which is connected to the library, whether it be needing help with a technical issue or just a Chromebook reset. Mr. Octavio says, “You always have to try your best, and keep it up. It doesn’t matter if you fail, because that’s part of being successful. There is no success without failure.” Pacifica’s faculty are here to help students succeed, starting from resolving small technical issues, in order to give students the tools they need to graduate.
Aspire, Pacifica’s counseling service, which provides support to students’ mental wellness, also welcomes a new
member to its team. Ms. Luases had previously been at Pacifica, but is now back full-time to promote mental wellness on campus. With her help, Pacifica is becoming a much better place where mental health is a huge priority. She explains, “My first month back has been great. It’s a good transition, and things are going well. I’m happy to see the students, and I’m definitely glad to be back, and I’m happy that I’m here for this graduating class. I’m excited for them and the incoming class as well. I’m ready to be busy!” She’s in room 802 for anyone interested in seeking her counseling, which is highly recommended. Pacifica is in good hands with her on board.
This year, Pacifica welcomes back a beloved counselor, Mrs. Wu! Many stu
dents were wondering where Mrs. Wu could have gone when she disappeared in their freshman and sophomore years. The mystery is no longer: Mrs. Wu went to… Spain! She took a year to hike the Camino de Santiago, which is about 500 miles along the northern parts of Spain. Many people choose to hike the long journey to find themselves, and as Mrs. Wu explains, “One of the many reasons why people hike the Camino de Santiago is for enlightenment. If you have a question or you are going through something, you hike, and the answers come to you. So, it was a gut thing, and I knew coming back to Pacifica was the right thing for me, and I’m very excited for that.” Being a counselor is more than just scheduling adjustments; it’s about caring for students and helping them do their best. Mrs. Wu is an exemplary example of what it means to be a Mariner. Pacifica is proud to have Mrs. Wu back on campus.
With these new additions, Pacifica’s community looks forward to a fresh wave of energy and expertise that will enrich the learning environment for everybody. So, students, go out there and show each of these new and returning staff members what it means to be a Mariner! Take a moment to say hello and get to know our new staff members – it’s a great way to build community and make them feel at home!
