Important People at Seaside High School
Maryann Climer
November 28 2023
Coming to Seaside High everyday we see the same staff and students. Some of the few people that are the most important to the school, we don't really know much about or what they want for us. Aaron Sanders, the principal at Seaside High, Mary “Tessa” Brown, the assistant principal, Joe Summers, the dean (also works in R.E.S.E.T). These are some of the people students can go to and will make sure students are confident at this school. They keep everyone in check and try new ways on how to make this school’s learning experience better. All of them pretty much have the same goal for helping the students at Seaside High School. I was able to ask them all questions about how they feel about Seaside High School so students can all get a better understanding of crucial staff at the school.
Joe Summers - Dean of Culture & Climate
How has it been working at Seaside High ?
“It has been a lot of fun working here. Coming from Central Coast HIgh School, I was used to a campus of 80 kids max and being at a campus with 1,000 plus students now is still taking time for me to get used to. I'm loving all the people I'm meeting and the students I get to work with so I am happy to be here!”
Are there still things you would wanna change about this school?
“Man, where to begin? I would definitely like to see more rallies and fun lunchtime activities for students to participate in. More events and things of that nature to allow students who normally don't mingle get a chance to do so and create memories and have the high school experience.“
What's something in your life that helps you connect with your day to day task?
“Something in life that helps me connect to my day-to-day would have to be that when I was in high school, I didn't have teachers or staff members that tried to build relationships with me, and that always upset me and made me act out. I try to be someone that every student can feel like is there for them when they are having a rough day or a hard time, or when they just want to talk about anything. Someone who sees, hears and cares about the students and their future."
Tell me (anything) about yourself that you feel like you can connect with the students?
“I think the first thing is I went here to SHS. I played football, I was Prom Prince, I play video games, and I probably went to school or know with some of your parents! Second thing, I'm from here so I understand a lot of the history of culture of the area so it is easy for me to talk with a lot of students everyday. Lastly, I have a crazy collection of Jordans! I can talk about shoes all day!”
Do you ever have those days where you just wanna lay down in bed, what's something you tell yourself to get yourself through the day?
“I have these days often, who doesn't?! Life can be challenging and overwhelming at times no matter your age or status in life. What motivates me is I did not grow up with parents who made a lot of money so I didn't have a lot of the cool things some kids had like expensive clothes or shoes; I took the bus until I was 19! I had to work hard in life to get everything I have today and I was the first to graduate high school in my family, the first person to go to college in my family, and all of it has translated to me having a beautiful home, being able to have the things I want to have, and my beautiful fiance are my motivation to get through the day.”
Mary Brown- Assistant Principal
How long have you been working at Seaside High?
“I have been working at SHS for 11 years. I started here as a Math and Science teacher.”
Are there still things you would wanna change about this school?
“Yes. I always am trying my best to make Seaside High the best possible place for students to learn. I want all students to feel like they belong here and that they are challenged in their learning. I know many students feel that they belong and that they are challenged, but my goal is for every single student to feel that way.”
What's something in your life that helps you connect with your day to day task?
“ I have a dog and that is something that helps keep me grounded. I enjoy the routine of walking him everyday. It is the time I have to think about my day and reflect on how things are going at Seaside High.”
Tell me (anything) about yourself that you feel like you can connect with the students?
“As a teenager, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. I actually didn't figure it out until after I graduated from college. It might feel like everyone has a plan except for you. They don't. Plans change and we change. It's okay to be unsure of what your future holds.”
Do you ever have those days where you just wanna lay down in bed, what's something you tell yourself to get yourself through the day?
“Sometimes. I tell myself that other people are relying on me to show up for them. I need to be present for those I care about.”
Aaron Sanders- Principal
How has it been working at Seaside High ?
“It's definitely challenging and rewarding.”
Are there still things you would wanna change about this school?
“We're always looking for opportunities to improve safety for students and adult learning challenges.”
What's something in your life that helps you connect with your day to day task?
“How would we want students to react to what's being told to them, and how they would want to be treated.”
Tell me (anything) about yourself that you feel like you can connect with the students?
“When I was a student he wasn't the best student. Known as the “class clown” always making everyone laugh getting detention just for being a bad kid, but one thing I never was like as a student is getting into fights though. The first day of school I got detention for something that wasn't my fault, not being able to find my class and being late. I thought that they would understand but it was way different than I expected.”
Do you ever have those days where you just wanna lay down in bed, what's something you tell yourself to get yourself through the day?
“I moved from another state so my own kids can go to high school here. I was paid a way more paying job than being a principal at the high school I went to as a teen. I felt like making it a better campus than it is. It's best to make students feel safe and connect more with the adults on campus so that my kids and every other kid can wish to come to seaside high.”
Overall…
All of them pretty much have the same goal for helping the students at Seaside High School. I was able to ask them all questions about how they feel about Seaside High School so students can all get a better understanding of crucial staff at the school. I hope students are able to realize that all the adults here at Seaside High want to just see us succeed in life so pushing them to do harder not to be mean it pushes them to do better so they can reach their goals later in life
