[BHS Etree] PTSA: Interview with BHS Principal Juan Raygoza

[BHS Etree]

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*Juan Raygoza will be Berkeley High’s interim principal for the 2020-2021
school year after having been the vice principal of CAS and AHA for the
past 4 years.*



*How are you strategizing for next year in the face of so many unknowns?*


The high school experience will likely look very different than a
traditional school year, and we are certainly facing many challenges. This
said, in this time of social movement for Black Lives and a pandemic, we
need people to lead everywhere, including and especially in schools, with
compassion and vision, and I will strive to do that. We are not
anticipating the year to look like how BHS has been structured in terms of
its schedule, the delivery of instruction, the use of technology, and how
issues of equity come up. We are forced to look at all aspects of how the
school runs and what this time presents us with. Every conversation is
driven by equity and a focus on how we listen to and reach the students who
are most marginalized in our school, which is significant because the
pandemic and associated health protocols may be with us for a while.



*How is this unfolding?*


When BHS first closed and we went under a shelter-in-place, we did not know
it would be for the rest of the school year. We only had a few days to
think about how we would teach our students through distance learning. Many
of us were thinking we’d be back soon in the classroom. Now, conversations
are richer and we are rooting these conversations in a long-term vision for
schooling.



*How are teachers preparing?*


A lot of teachers are planning this summer. Some have already taken off
with Google classroom, knowing they won’t be seeing kids for an hour every
day. In terms of curriculum, they’re asking what are the essential
questions, topics, and standards we teach? How do I reach all of my
students if they are not with me in the classroom? How do I make the
curriculum more engaging and connected to this moment and with an
understanding that students are impacted and agents within this moment?
Looking deeper into the content, what are the skills kids need? It’s a
conversation that needed to happen, and now it is happening everywhere.
Looking at the role of technology, we’re seeing that it can be an amazing
resource but can also lead to a bigger divide in access to education. My
hope as the principal is to be intentional in fostering continued planning
and action that is born out of valuing what our students and communities
need most right now and for the long haul.



*What about math next year?*


Math teachers are looking at math standards and determining what is most
essential to teach and to assess. As you can imagine, this is challenging
work, and I commend them for taking it on so thoughtfully. Having a math
coordinator for the past two years has already brought about a lot of
collaboration and sharing of best practices. In addition to thinking about
and planning for what our students at BHS need to be successful, we must
continue conversations with our math colleagues in our elementary schools
and middle schools to make sure we are vertically aligned in our curriculum
and skills and big picture questions about the role of math education.



*You’re relatively new to the Bay Area, where were you before?*


I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I went through LAUSD public
schools. I went to UCLA where I majored in Political Science and minored in
Education and got two masters degrees in Education through the Teacher
Education Program and Principal Leadership Institute at UCLA.  I was a
history teacher before becoming a vice principal working in several small
districts in the LA area. What I appreciate about smaller districts is
having closer collaboration with other administrators and teachers across
the district.



*What do you find to be different at Berkeley High?*


BUSD is similar to other districts that I’ve worked at and has many of the
same challenges. Berkeley has wonderful resources in the community and at
the school itself. BHS is able to face its challenges with more counselors,
administrators, teachers and resources. We are very student-centered and
work to be responsive to the needs of the community we serve. Our students
are leaders. They are taught and supported by educators who believe in them
as leaders. And I appreciate the time, care, and support that families
give.


Schools are integral to our society, and must combat all the social ills
that many of our students face including: poverty, systemic racism,
colorism, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, heterosexism. We must bring it upon
ourselves to act and fight for more equitable schools and a more just world.



*Thanks Juan, enjoy whatever vacation you will have this summer as you
prepare to lead us into the next chapter of Berkeley High.*


_____________________________

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