Jessica Erlenheim is the newest teacher on Bonita Vista High School’s (BVH) campus after previous Integrated Math 3 (IM3) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Analysis and Approaches (A&A) Standard level (SL) teacher, Esmerelda Orozco, took on a job as the Sweetwater Union High School District’s (SUHSD) Assessment Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for Research and Evaluation. Erlenheim notes that she is glad to be taking over these courses and appreciates the time she spent as a teacher’s assistant for Orozco.

“I was [temporarily] assigned here for a student teaching position last year in this very classroom. I taught students from ninth to twelfth grade with

Orozco. Honestly it was the best experience.I love the community, especially the math department. Everyone here has welcomed me with open arms and they have been very supportive of my journey so far as a first year teacher,” Erlenheim said.

Originally, Erlenheim wanted to teach middle school rather than highschool. However, after spending one semester at BVH, she realized that she wanted to teach high school instead—something that she hadn’t expected after years of believing that teaching middle school was her destiny. Her students are glad to have her, as sophomore Mariana Farias, a student in Erlenheim’s IB A&A SL class, compares Erlenheim to other math teachers she has had before.

 “I would say Erlenheim is more flexible with deadlines. I like how she includes us in her work, because some teachers just say, ‘hey, write this down,’ and I can not learn that way, so I have to learn [the material] by myself. If you are struggling, it is easy to talk to Erlenheim because she is a very good listener,” Farias said.

Orozco reflects over the time that Erlenheim was an assistant for her. Overall, Orozco had a positive view of Erlenheim’s effort as a teacher’s assistant.

“Ms. Erlenheim quickly built a strong connection with the students. She took the time to observe me teach, asked questions about the content to clarify the goals of the lesson and, most importantly, reflected on her experience with that lesson.  Erlenheim’s ability to adapt and grow from her teaching experiences is a skill she learned well during her time as a student teacher,” Orozco said.

Erlenheim has loved math throughout her own school years. Because math was the subject her father taught, she believed it was inevitable that she too would become a math teacher and follow in her father’s steps. Her love for math allows her to feel at home when she teaches her students.

“I feel like math is another language. There are so many nuances and small things that we do not even get into. There are always conversations to be had within the smaller units and the smaller topics. I know it is not everyone’s favorite subject. Just like how a lot of people love English, math was my thing. We all have our [different] things,” Erlenheim said.

Erlenheim comes from northern California, more specifically, Fresno. When Erlenheim first came to San Diego to attend San Diego State University (SDSU), she had to search around and see the different high school options. 

“I did not know any highschools here in San Diego, so that is why it was also great that from my student teaching placement, I have the opportunity to see some of the different schools around San Diego, and BVH has definitely been my favorite so far,” Erlenheim said.

Erlenheim is hoping to stay at BVH for years to come, as everyone she has met has welcomed her in and is supporting her through her first year of teaching. Orozco views Erlenheim’s addition to BVH’s staff as one that is beneficial to the whole community, seeing her as an asset to the math department and the IB program. 

“Erlenheim treats all the students with respect and has high expectations for all. She maintains a classroom environment where it is safe to ask questions, talk about math and all student voices are valued.  Her ability to think on her feet and make decisions on the spot allows her to give students time to think deeply about the content, as well as push their thinking to better understand the lessons,” Orozco said.