After spending 17 years of a 30-year career being a mentor and educator to the students of San Juan hills, alongside the Class of 2026, George Rodriguez is graduating into the next chapter of his life.
In the next two weeks, it is important that we honor not only the students but the teachers, who are, just as well as our Stallions, permanently leaving their mark on SJHHS.
So within this season of so many goodbyes, It is with great sadness that we must also say goodbye to the kind of teacher that many students only hope to have once in a lifetime.
Known to students and staff as simply “G-Rod”, it has become clear that Rodriguez has developed the kind of reputation that causes Students to grin at the sight of his name on their schedules.
Ironically, teaching was never a true part of Rodriguez’s initial plan for his life.
“A good friend of mine, we went to UC Irvine together. He’s at this point a doctor right now and he needed to save the money to go to medical school. So, he got a job as a teacher at a middle school. And I’d gotten a computer science degree. Since I knew math, he said we need math teachers. I hadn’t gotten a job yet, and I already had a wife and two kids. So, I wanted a job. I took that job. Turns out I liked it, and I just stayed, ever since,” said George Rodriguez.
From that point on, it has become clear that Rodriguez’s attitude and care towards his students has allowed him to make an impact beyond just teaching math.
“I think what I’m most proud of is that over the years, students like being in my class. I’ve seen a lot of teachers where students really don’t like being there, but I think in general, kids like being in my class. And I always thought, if I could get them to come to my class, then hopefully, I can teach them something,” said Rodriguez, noting what he is most proud of.
The very first high school job I taught at, there was a problem with students not coming to class. So I kind of made it, You know, trying to be a little bit funny, just who I am, really being myself, and trying to get kids to come to my class. Not to say, the class is easy, but they come to class because I feel comfortable in my class, and like ‘I can be myself, and the teacher won’t have a heart attack if I tell a joke or something,” said Rodriguez.
This rapport is evidently a mutual understanding, as many students are happily able to look back at the fond memories and student teacher connection built in Room D06.
“He’s just really fun to talk to, and I sit next to his desk, and we’ll have fun conversations, and he tells me about his family and what he’s doing, and he asks me questions. He’s very personable.” said Lucy Garibaldi (12), former student of Rodriguez
It is clear that this environment created by Rodriguez in the classroom truly is meaningful to students, and is what keeps them showing up for his class.
“He’s really helped me grow in math and he’s very understanding of our other activities and busy schedules and difficult classes. So I think I really enjoy the fact that he’s super caring and he’ll understand when I’m up late one night working on homework for another class and, you know, I maybe needed a little bit extra help or like extra time with my assignment.” said Garibaldi.
Beyond the academic lessons or standards Rodriguez taught, for many students, the memories of his classroom that stand out the most have nothing to do with tests or equations, but of his willingness to slow down and actually connect with his students.
“My favorite memory is when we were about to do a lesson, and then the Luka Doncic trade happened, and he stopped the class for 10 minutes, and we talked about basketball and sports,” said Jaxon Akin (12).
It is in moments like these that while one might not expect it, teaching continues, extending beyond the realm of the lesson plan.
“He taught me that not everything is so serious and to just talk through things and that it’s okay to stop a lesson for 10 minutes and talk about sports.” Said Jaxon Akin (12).
In conclusion, Rodriguez hopes students and staff are left with lessons that extend beyond academics:
“This is, I think, what’s helped me over the years. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. Mistakes are a good thing. Although you may not think so, they’re good. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. And always be true to yourself. Just kind of be who you are. And people will either accept you or they won’t. You know what? If they don’t accept it, you’ll have plenty of other people who will. So just be who you are, be yourself. Don’t try to fake it. Be yourself, and don’t be afraid of mistakes, Take some risks. And know those mistakes are coming, accept them, learn from them, and move on” said Rodriguez.
