Ms. Gonzales by Lily Ronney

In her second year of teaching, Ms. Jessica Gonzalez joins the ranks of El Segundo High School's staff. Ms. Gonzalez teaches Physical Education and Career Explorations. Ms. Gonzalez admits that when she was in ninth grade, she paid no interest in her careers-type class, although now, she recognizes the usefulness of the class. She tries to help students so they don't have to go through some of the difficulties she had as a teen.

When she was younger, her mother had told her she would make a great teacher. Her mother recognized her capabilities to help those in need and teach others. However, when searching for ideas for careers, her personality tests did not even mention the possibility of becoming a teacher. Her strongest inspiration to become a teacher was her drive to work with children and the possibility of being able to help them. In fact, her most outstanding teaching memory was when she was able to help a struggling student discover his potential.

After her "lucky" beginnings with her family in Redondo Beach, California, she attended Loyola Marymount University. In college, she gained the skills that she is now teaching in her Career Explorations class and has relied on them ever since. Her proudest moment in college was when she made the National Dean's List, an award from the largest recognition publication in the nation, and a great honor. Even with her amazing achievements in college, she had plenty of fun and admits she even did a few mischievous things. She recalls sneaking out of the dorms at LMU with her friends and going to Mexico, returning the next morning.

Her pet peeves include people who talk while others talk and broken appointments. Thus some good advice for her students would be to wait your turn to speak and be on time. She appreciates hard workers, so in order to get on her fun and outgoing side, hard work is a must. She is happy to be joining our school. "The kids last year were awesome, but you guys are even better. El Segundo rocks!"