Oscar Velasco: I decided to become a teacher after working as a camp counselor during the summers between college for R.M. Pyles Boys camp.

The camp was designed to mentor disadvantaged teenage boys from marginalized and under-resourced communities that provides a free backpacking wilderness experience.

I led multiple backpack groups for young people and saw myself as a positive role model for young people.

I also benefited from great teachers and coaches, and saw they were a big part of my development as a young adult and to live a positive and meaningful life.

As I got older, I wanted to dedicate my career to supporting young people, and teaching was one of the ways I knew how to do that.

Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?

OV: This is my third-year of teaching overall. I started my teaching career at Santa Maria High School, where I am a proud alumnus.

I completed my teaching credential and master's at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and did my student teaching at Righetti High School.

It's always been my desire to teach in the community where I grew up because I wanted to show young people that you can become successful and still stay in the community where you come from and contribute to something positive.

I feel now it's my duty to model that for young people.

Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?

OV: I enjoyed teaching world history and ethnic and gender studies to help students understand the world around them and how to be engaged at the local level.

I really enjoy teaching the Oral History Project. My ethnic and gender studies colleague and I created a rigorous project at our school site to teach students how to preserve their ancestral history and interview someone important in their lives to help students know their family history. Students learn audio software and learn more about their family's story.

I always look forward to hearing the ancestral knowledge students put together and become fascinated storytellers.

Noozhawk: What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

OV: There's always something new I could always learn and find ways on how to improve as a teacher. That's what excites me as a teacher, that I am always continuously learning new ways to deliver content, innovate and bring new ideas to life in the classroom.

That has a ripple effect in the classroom because I want my students to become lifelong learners.

Someone told me that teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. So I am always learning on the job and finding ways to get better as a teacher.

Noozhawk: What are the challenges of your job?

OV: Teaching can be a very fast pace and demanding job. It will take anything you give it.

After a full day of teaching, there's a lot of grading, lesson plans and coaching in the afternoon, and traveling with the wrestling team to compete throughout the state.

Self preservation is also important, and finding a balance for self care and taking time for yourself is crucial when working in education.

Noozhawk: What are you most looking forward to this school year?

OV: I always look forward to taking students on trips. As the co-adviser for Alpine Club, I plan and help take our local high school students out on hiking and camping trips around the Central Coast. We always take an annual trip to Yosemite National Park.

That's what I look forward to the most: Taking students out of their neighborhoods to explore the outdoors, and to help our young people realize that the world is a lot bigger than they could ever imagine.

Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?

OV: Drs. Briana Ronan and Tina Cheuk from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. They both selected me to be part of Cal Poly's TIER ( Teaching in Inclusivity and Equity Residency) cohort, which was in partnership with the Education Department to help fund teachers who pursue a bilingual certification and a masters in instruction and curriculum.

I am thankful they both selected me to be part of the program because it gave me the best learning outcome I could have ever asked for. I still keep in contact with both of them, and they always send professional development opportunities my way.

Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?

OV: I am thankful for my TIP mentor (Teacher In Induction), Matt Markstone, for helping me feel welcome when I first arrived, and guiding me through the process of clearing my teaching credential during my first two years.

I also feel supportive from Amy Hennings, a U.S. history teacher at Santa Maria High School who extended the invitation to advise our school's Alpine Club. I jumped at the opportunity to continue introducing the outdoors to our students.

The Alpine Club has been active at Santa Maria High since the 1960s, and I feel honored to continue the tradition.

Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?

OV: One of my favorite quotes is by the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass: "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?

OV: I truly feel honored and proud. This award feels like it's bigger than myself because it represents the amazing students I get to work with, my wonderful colleagues at Santa Maria High School and the great community of Santa Maria.