PE department introduces a familiar face

As the start of the 2023-2024 spring semester begins, this new year welcomes former Bonita Vista Middle (BVM) Physical Education (PE) teacher Daniel Schroeder to Bonita Vista High (BVH) as the new PE coach. The PE department opened up a new coaching position after having enough open classes following former PE coach and Athletic Director Tyler Arciaga became Assistant Principal.

“I was always interested [in teaching at BVH] because this is where I started. I always wanted to teach high schoolers, but I was really young when I started my teaching career. [In] the beginning it seemed like middle school was a better fit for me,” Schroeder said.

Department Chair and PE teacher Heidi Arciaga explains that Schroeder has shown interest in transferring over to BVH for over a few years now. She knew if the time ever came for an opening, he would be a potential candidate.

“[Our department] reached out to Schroeder once there was going to be an opening. The district always posts jobs, so anyone in the district can see and apply if they have a PE credential. There were interviews for multiple candidates, Mr. Schroeder was the best candidate, so they chose him,” H. Arciaga said.

Schroeder has credentials in English, PE, Social Science, Geography, Psychology and Administration. He has been working at BVM for 19 and a half years. Over those years he has gotten to know lots of students, most of which go on to attend BVH.

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“I have heard and know that he is an excellent teacher and runs things very structured and well. I am really excited to have another experienced and strong teacher at our school working with us.”

— Department Chair and PE teacher, Heidi Arciaga

“A lot of students that come from BVM PE have had him as a teacher. I have heard and know that he is an excellent teacher and runs things very structured and well,” H. Arciaga said. “I am really excited to have another experienced and strong teacher at our school working with us. It is great to have him as a teacher and for the students here as well.”

BVH freshman Brooklyn Bennett is one of Schroeder’s former seventh grade students from the 2022-2023 school year. She recalls having fun memories from his class. Bennett and her classmates were informed prior to the winter break that they would have a new teacher at the start of the second semester.

“When my classmates and I found out that Coach Schroeder was going to be our new PE teacher, we were all really excited,” Bennett said. “I have always loved his class. He always made me and the students feel really comfortable and I always looked forward to PE when he was my teacher.”

Along with Bennett, many other students and staff were happy to see Schroeder on campus. Schroeder explains he has had a very positive experience in his first few days while everyone on campus has been very welcoming.

“So many students I recognize have come up to me and said ‘Hi’,” Schroeder said. “I love it because I feel like it makes me have a connection to this place already. It is an easy transition because I already know a lot of the people that are here, teachers and students.”

After already having some familiarity, Schroeder has quickly become a part of the school community. He plans to be involved within the school by also going out to sporting events and later potentially coaching one of the extracurricular sports offered at BVH.

“He will be really exciting for the school since he brings a lot of experience [as a] coach. [Schroeder also] wants to coach some of the sports here, and he will be at a lot of the extracurricular events doing supervisions,” H. Arciaga said. “I think he will be a really great addition to our whole school and the culture. We are very lucky and happy to have him join our PE department.”

However, it has just been his first full week of teaching PE at BVH. Schroeder is still getting accustomed to the new environment within the PE department. A significant difference Schroeder notes is the transition from working with younger students to more mature ones.

“I am looking forward to finding my place here. Figuring out all the ins and outs here at the high school because it is a bit different,” Schroeder said. “I am really looking forward to having more elevated conversations and interactions with my students. Kids are older here, and so it is a higher level conversation, deeper thoughts, more intricate and more involved connection with the students.