In Feb. 2022, Bonita Vista High (BVH) welcomed 10th and 12th grade Special Education Teachers, Diego Grizzle and Emmelie Finley. 

One of the two teaching positions offered to Grizzle opened up due to the “reorganization and downsizing” of classes. The position was previously occupied by Alternative Education teacher Sandra Juvenal who was relocated to a different department.

Due to BVH’s scheduling needs during the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year, a second Special Education teaching position was created. Furthermore, the position was also created to give a prep period for Special Education teachers.

“Many of our teachers were [hired] based on our program needs, they [Special Education teachers] had to teach six classes instead of five. This semester [we] consolidated some of those six classes to allow those teachers to have a prep period,” Del Rosario said. 

Del Rosario expressed that Finley and Grizzle are able to provide support for students that need either modifications or adjustments in and out of the classroom. He noted that Finley and Grizzle guides students according to the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). 

“Everyone [Special Education students] comes in with unique necessities, and unique requirements that help them learn the best. I vary my teaching style and like to present things visually. I try to tend more towards any visual learners, while also giving basic descriptions for the auditory learners.” Grizzle said. 

Both Grizzle and Finley work with students who have mild to moderate disabilities. They co-teach general ed and fundamental classes: English, History. 

“I teach two 10th grade World History classes and one 12th grade Economics class. My other periods are filled with collaborations with other World History teachers,” Grizzle said. 

Finley expressed that having another teacher is helpful because it means that they can support students when they need help in breaking down assignments or the curriculum.

 “It’s not that they’re [Special Education students] not willing to do the work, it’s that they’re just having trouble understanding the assignment,” Finley said.

Del Rosario believes that welcoming two new teachers to BVH will promote fresh ideas in the classroom and will help “invigorate” BVH staff. Del Rosario notes that besides substituting, their position at BVH is their first teaching occupation.

“I know that as a new teacher there’s a steep learning curve. So the primary support that new teachers tend to rely on is the support given by their colleagues,” Del Rosario said. 

Both Finley and Grizzle have expressed that they received a tremendous amount of support from the faculty and staff at BVH. They consult and collaborate with their colleagues when they face any challenges.  

“It’s been a great experience so far. It’s my first official teaching job, [so] that’s exciting. The students here are really amazing and the staff have been really helpful,” Finely said.

Before working at BVH, the two worked as cluster substitute teachers. They provided daily class coverage to their designated school. Grizzle worked at National City Middle School while Finely worked at Montgomery Middle School.

“[Moving to BVH] was a big transition. It’s a lot to learn, but everyone has been really nice and helpful,” Grizzle said.

Grizzle revealed that he wanted to pursue a career in teaching because he has family members that are educators as well. Growing up in a teaching environment allowed him to be thoroughly invested in his position.    

“I found my niche with Special Education. It goes along with my personality and takes a little more patience. It takes a little more creativity with how you construct [the] curriculum,” Grizzle said. 

On the contrary, Finley was not always sure about pursuing a career in education. Though, in all the jobs she worked they always involved kids. Finley expressed that she was not surprised she ended up as a Special Education teacher. 

“I was in the classroom with kids who struggled and my heart was really for [them and] this community. I made sure to help them [students] out and that they had the support that they needed for a general education,” said Finley.