Staff members multitask at Aliso Niguel High School during the year by teaching and coaching sports. Teachers having to prepare curriculum for students and be a head coach of a sport is very demanding. All of Aliso Niguel appreciate those at the school, who support students through an academic and athletic way.
These educators try their very best to balance giving students an excellent education while also bringing out the best in their athletes, so they can perform their best. They are tasked with spending weekends and free time grading students’ papers and work and staying up late trying to strategize plays to win the next game. They answer both student’s emails about homework or missing assignments and players’ questions on how they can improve athletically.
Mr. Puffer, the boys Water Polo and Swim Coach says, “Each environment is different, and brings new challenges each day. Watching the growth and development of both my students and athletes is what makes it so much fun.”
Mr. Puffer is optimistic and looks forward to engaging with his students in and classroom and on the pool deck. He is grateful to have the opportunity to strengthen bonds of the relationships with his team and to get to know the students even more outside of school. He understands that there are obstacles he must overcome while being a teacher and a coach, but still, Mr. Puffer has passion and love for what he does.
As a teacher and coach, staff work their hardest to memorize names as well as individually build relationships with their players and students.
Mr. Biggs, the girls Golf coach says, “The best part about coaching is that I get to see a different side of kids. I especially like it when I have been coaching a kid for a few years, and then she ends up in my class as an English student.”
Mr. Biggs loves to connect more with his students by seeing them in the classroom and on the golf course. In a classroom setting, teachers see so little character from students, but when they spend more time outside of school getting to know them, they get to see more personality and get to know them on a deeper level.
The head girl’s Softball and Flag Football Coach Baldwin says, “I love being able to help my athletes grow on and off the field, build relationships with them and see the success they have on our campus and in the classroom.”
Coach Baldwin admires the dedication and the hard work her students put into being a student athlete. She enjoys teaching them and seeing them become better versions of themselves every day. Seeing them do great things on a field and inside a classroom makes her extremely happy and delighted.
Each of these staff members make sacrifices everyday to see their students succeed academically and physically. They love connecting with their students on a daily basis which overall benefits the team and the relationship between each other. These teachers understand that many kids struggle managing high level classes and competitive sports, so they are extra supportive to kids by being there when they need someone most.
