With the new year beginning, The Arcadia Quill would like to acknowledge all of the teachers new to Arcadia High this year. Adjusting to the start of a school year isn’t easy and it’s been especially difficult with all the new changes implemented because of the pandemic. Reading body language is harder and transitioning to a new workplace is an additional difficulty. Mr. Rene Casanova is a Special Education teacher at AHS. He started teaching at AHS last year, but the 2021-2022 school year is his first time officially teaching on campus. The following is an interview with Mr. Casanova.

Michelle So 

Okay, so first of all, would you like to introduce yourself?

Mr. Casanova 

Sure. So I am Mr. Casanova. I teach modified English and also collab teach. I’m a new teacher at Arcadia. Prior to this, I worked in LA Unified, and prior to that, I worked in a different field.

Michelle So 

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Mr. Casanova

So the inspiration comes from my previous work experience where I wasn’t teaching. I used to manufacture aluminum, so it was a completely different field. After doing that for 10 years, I wanted a career with purpose. And working with special ed kids was kind of like my calling.

Michelle So

Wow, that’s very inspiring. So with the pandemic, how has it felt to teach during COVID?

Mr. Casanova

My first year teaching was online and I hated it. It was pretty difficult to teach someone through the computer screen and breakout rooms. I learned a lot of the logistics, the paperwork, but as far as teaching goes, learning all [of it] this year.

Michelle So

I see. So since going back in person, have there been any memorable moments for you so far?

Mr. Casanova

Yeah, just seeing the kids and making those connections, building the relationships. You can’t do that through a computer screen. So, when you make the connection with the kid and they come to you [for] extra help. You can help them out online but it’s not the same.

Michelle So 

Yes. So just as a fun question, do you have any other hobbies or what you’d like to do in your free time when you’re not teaching?

Mr. Casanova

Hobbies other than hanging out with my kids? I collect music, vinyl records. I also DJ on the side as a hobby. And I go to the gym when I have an opportunity.

Michelle So

That’s really neat. Nice to meet you. Mr. Casanova. Thank you so much for this interview