Craig Kupka- Music Teacher- 26 Years
“Music is a never ending journey without a destination,” music teacher Craig Kupka said.
He earned his master’s degree in music composition from the University of California Los Angeles. After graduation, he was invited to play with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
“If someone came up to me when I was 21 and told me I would be a teacher and love it, I would [have] hit them,” he said.
He enjoyed teaching his children music and decided to earn his teaching credentials. He first taught at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Ten years later, he took on drum corps, orchestra, jazz band, beginning instruments, and choir at Hoover.
“Mr. Kupka is an amazing musician who is very compassionate, sensitive, yet brings a great sense of humor into anything,” Christine Min (’12) said.
He is thankful to the district for their support of all the arts programs, though he will not miss the paperwork and “bureaucracy”.
He plans to run the jazz program at Glendale City College. He will also be playing trombone professionally again, composing music, and occasionally, substituting at Hoover.
Barbara Leedom- Science Teacher- 31 Years
It is uncommon to hear that one has a liking for confusing chemical equations and formulas. However, Barbara Leedom wanted to share her knowledge of how the universe worked.
Her passion for chemistry comes from being able to simplify complex concepts that students can understand easily. Leedom has taught geometry, trigonometry, and algebra in Pasadena and also became head of the science department for seven years. For three years she worked on the Capsi project, developing the global warming curriculum at Caltech.
“I never really liked science; however, Mrs. Leedom made it fun for me and easy to understand,” Emily Garibian (’12)
She has decided to retire this year after 31 years of teaching, in which two years were at Hoover.
“My experience [on campus] has been very positive; there are very well mannered and intellectually interested students,” Leedom said. “Mostly, I will miss the joy that I experience when students learn.”
Leedom plans to travel for the next year or two.
Gail Johnson- Counselor- 18 Years
“Being a counselor is like being a mom to 600 kids. Sometimes you have to be tough, sometimes you have to be nurturing,” counselor Gail Johnson said.
She graduated from Hoover in 1969, and went to Cal State Los Angeles where she earned her teaching credentials in history and social studies.
Soon after, she began teaching at Daily High School. In 1992, she transferred to Hoover to become a counselor. Then in 2000, she became a counselor at CVHS and later came back to Hoover in 2006.
Johnson believes that counseling was the perfect position for her because she enjoys the extra time talking to students.
“[Counseling] also requires you to be a good listener,” Johnson said. “More often, students will solve their own problems once they start talking.”
After she retires, she plans on going on a cruise to Alaska with her husband.
Karen Taylor- English Teacher- 14 Years
English teacher Karen Taylor always performed admirably at school since she was enthusiastic about learning.
It was not until her first two years in college when she discovered her passion for short stories, novels, science and political science.
“I loved people and thought it would be really fun and stimulating to teach, especially to teenagers,” Taylor said.
Taylor began teaching as a sophomore English teacher at Hoover in 1996.
However, Taylor took some time off to focus on her other goals. During that period she wrote several short stories. She even went on to make live action short films. Taylor also flew a small plane by herself around the western U.S. and parts of Mexico.
Taylor looks forward to reading books and more traveling.
Taylor is going to miss Hoover dearly because of the “wonderful staff and interesting students” from whom she learns from everyday.
Kathy Frazer- Councelor- 39 Years
As a child, Kathy Frazer would line up her kittens along the couch and pretend that she was their teacher.
Years later, Frazer began to teach at Wilson Middle School in 1971 as an English and science teacher. After spending more than a decade there, she decided to return to college to earn her master’s degree in guidance and counseling.
In 1987, Frazer was rather surprised to find out that she had gotten the counseling job at Hoover and made the transition from teaching to counseling.
“I spent my first year [as a counselor] crying,” Frazer said. “I missed the classroom [because] I just loved teaching.”
Soon enough, Frazer began to enjoy her job as a counselor: getting a student from point A, the first day of freshman year, to point B, graduation and college. She felt accomplished when her students reached their college goals.
Originally, Frazer planned to retire next year but due to the “incentives for old teachers that decide to retire this year,” she moved her retirement date a year earlier.
Frazer plans to dedicate a majority of her time volunteering, such as helping out at animal shelters.
John Moe- English Teacher- 27 Years
Why does a teacher who loves math end up teaching English for 27 years?
John Moe decided to teach English in 1972 when he learned that it would allow him to teach in foreign countries because it is the universal language. In late 1979, he went back to his roots in China and taught the language to students.
When he returned to the U.S., he taught at Franklin High School in Highland Park.
After teaching there for three years, Moe left to become a real estate agent for six years.
Eventually, Moe returned to teaching because real estate was not his “field of expertise.”
Moe believes he has cemented his abilities as a teacher, especially when it comes to learning the right approach towards students.
“That’s what I like about being a teacher; you never know whose life you will influence,” Moe said.
During his time as a teacher, Moe has acted in several commercials. He will continue acting and working in theatre projects.
Daniel Kimber- Social Science Teacher- 37 Years
Students will soon say goodbye to one of the most beloved teachers to walk through the gates, social science teacher Dan Kimber.
In 1973, Kimber began his teaching career at Wilson Junior High School.
Seven years later, he became a history, English, and Spanish teacher at Hoover and later became the AP U.S. History teacher.
“I enjoy history because it’s subject to interpretation,” Kimber said. “It also helps to explain who and what we are today.”
As a teacher, Kimber enjoys how his students have the ability to keep him young at heart and still have a sense of humor.
In return he hopes to give his students a love of knowledge. Mostly, he wants his students to “not hate history as a subject, and use their brains and the potential they have within them.”
After he retires, Kimber plans to continue writing his weekly column for the Glendale News Press and finish his musical education project with his brother.
“Mr. Kimber has filled Hoover with lots of kindness, love and laughter. He’s the kind of teacher that’s hard to find,” Angelica Castaneda (’11) said.
Dale Lopez- English Teacher- 22 Years
“The feeling of watching students grow older and reach their goal is just great,” English teacher Dale Lopez said.
Lopez graduated high school at the age of 16 and received a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, Norman in 1963. She then became an English teacher in Oklahoma.
She moved to California, got her master’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles, and became a substitute teacher for the GUSD. In 1988, she was hired to teach English as a Second Language teacher (ESL), and became ESL department chair for 10 years.
“Mrs. Lopez really cares about her students and always wants the best for them,” Lilyan Sarkissian (’13) said.
After her retirement, she plans to remodel her house, go on cruises, and visit her relatives back in Oklahoma.
Doris Tinius- Ceramics Teacher- 35 Years
From a young age, Doris Tinius was fascinated by a teacher’s ability to open up students’ minds and challenge them in ways they could not themselves.
When her husband gave her a potter’s wheel, she was mesmerized by the clay and it was at that moment that she decided to become a ceramics teacher.
Tinius has been teaching for 35 years and credits her “rich” and “rewarding” experience to all her artistic and eager students.
“It’s so rewarding and fun to observe everyone so engaged in the ceramics process and to watch their artistic sensibilities grow,” Tinius said.
According to most of her students, Tinius always manages to bring out the best in her students.
“She is a great teacher who always encourages her students to do their best and achieve goals they thought were impossible,” Vika Guloyan (’11) said.
Tinius plans on learning to play guitar, making a small studio for ceramics and painting, traveling, and studying with various artists.
