From roaming the halls of Sierra Vista with a backpack and a hall pass to entering as a staff member with lesson plans and a chiming lanyard, former Vista students help shape the next generation of graduates. This full circle moment sees Vista alumni returning to the den to pursue careers in teaching at their former high school. Alumni including Ms. Sierra Jimenez (2014), Mr. David Quick (2014), Ms. Sabrina Dittus (2018), Mr. Richard Truong (2019), Ms. Razel Balon (2017), and Ms. Riley Hollar (2022) bring valuable insights to the classroom with their individual experiences as Vista students. Reminiscing on their time as a high school student, these returning educators lean into their unique perspectives.
Unpacking the decision to return to Vista as a math teacher, Ms. Dittus shares, “Originally my goal was to be an orchestra teacher … during my senior year of high school I started to have my doubts. I still wanted to be a teacher though at the high school level. Math was my favorite subject, and I had several amazing math teachers who inspired me including Ms. Foresta, Mrs. Collins, Mr. Boland, and Ms. Puscas. I can honestly say that even when going through college, I still remembered a lot of the tips and tricks that they taught me, especially for Calculus.” Leaving a lasting impression on Ms. Dittus during her time as a student, these math educators inspired Ms. Dittus to pivot from her initial plans and follow a passion for math. Expressing a key factor in Ms. Hollar’s decision to come back, as well as a deep appreciation for Vista’s band, Ms. Hollar expresses, “I fell in love with the environment of the band throughout highs chool and I originally came back as a volunteer. So I volunteered for 2 years, then I got offered to be the instructional assistant, now here I am.”
Reflecting a similar fondness for school activities outside the classroom, Ms. Balon states, “Since working here, I really miss being involved with the extra-curricular activities. I think that is what encouraged me to be an advisor for my clubs. Although it is a different experience running the club and just being a member in the club, I enjoy seeing the excitement the kids have when they get to come to a club meeting or participate in an event.”
Illustrating Sierra Vista’s dynamic culture, Mr. Quick notes, “My year of graduation is 2014, and I would describe the changes as mostly to be a different acceptable social atmosphere. As in, students try to imitate what they see on the internet more in person with not only students but teachers as well. They also tend to use more of their generation’s verbiage with teachers more than my graduating year did, rather than using more professional language.” Addressing the challenges of connecting with students in the evolving academic atmosphere, Mr. Quick continues, “It [understanding the school’s culture from a student’s perspective] sometimes helps with understanding what students are going through to help give them advice, but I feel that the culture has changed so much since my time that it has become difficult to relate to students as much.”
Apart from being Mountain Lion alumni at Sierra Vista, the returning graduates continue to gather unique experiences. Reflecting on nostalgic occurrences since working at Vista, Mr. Truong recalls, “Perhaps the most nostalgic experience I’ve had since working at Sierra Vista would be attending staff meetings with the same teachers I had in high school. It was a surreal experience and it took some time getting used to calling my former teachers by their first names when I spent years calling them by their last names.” Sharing a humorous event from work, Mr. Quick sees his most nostalgic experience as “being asked for my hall pass by administration, support staff, and other teachers.”
Looking back, many might wish to enter a time machine to change certain aspects of their high school experience. Offering advice to her high school self, Ms. Dittus emphasizes the value to “take more risks about talking to people,” acknowledging the fears that accompany speaking to, and engaging with other individuals. With high school being a defining period in one’s life, Ms. Hollar shares a comforting reminder that “it is ok to not have everything figured out right away.” Bringing these noteworthy experiences as Vista students into their classrooms, these fellow alumni embody the phrase “Once a Lion, always a Lion.”
