WHS Graduates Teaching On Their Old Stomping Ground

Pedilla, English and Business teacher, at WHS

Pedilla said he has a hard time calling his old teachers by their first name instead of Mr. or Mrs.

Reliving “old glory days” at Emil Nassar Stadium is a plus when coming back.

Hartman is helping coach football and wrestling, both sports he excelled in while attending WHS. During his senior year a knee injury ended his career early and Hartman feels coaching provide a sort of closure for his athletic career.

Hernandez is excited about coaching cross country with his old coach, Bob Bordner. Hernandez ran track for WHS and cross country for NAU. He is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge about the two sports.

For Hernandez and Pedilla, the first day of the new year wasn’t their first experience with WHS students since their graduation.

After graduating from NAU, Hernandez served as a long-term substitute teacher at WHS during last year. Pedilla has served as a substitute teacher for the past two years.

Some disadvantages can stem from being a “big man on campus” during your high school year.

Hartman believes that being from Winslow both helps and hurts his effectiveness as a authority figure. He said that this year’s seniors are the last class that knew him from his involvement in sports while he was in school. “They find it hard to call me Mr. Hartman,” he said.

Pedilla was Student Body President during his senior year and Vice President of almost every club he was a member of. He felt there were some expectations of him when he arrived as a teacher at WHS and hopes he lives up to them.

Pedilla has noticed a difference in the student body from when he was in the desks instead of at the chalk board. “The students ask more questions and want to know what and why your teaching them, they are more informed. When I was in school, we didn’t care, we just did what we were told,” he added.

Overall, all the new teachers who have once again entered the doors of WHS all agree that their home turf is a great place to teach because of one reason, “WHS is a great school.”