Q&A: New Special Education Teacher Mr. Winchester

Mr. Winchester joins the Special Education Department this year.

Mr.+Winchester+joins+the+Special+Education+department+this+year.+

THE MIRROR | PLAPOL "PJ" RATTAPITAK

Mr. Winchester joins the Special Education department this year.

1. What made you choose to teach at Van Nuys?

Because it’s a wonderful school. I was working at Sepulveda middle school. I had an opportunity to come to Van Nuys and it’s a great school. 

2. What subject do you teach, and how long have you been teaching it? Is there another subject you would have been interested in teaching as well? 

I have been teaching for 15 years and I teach self contained classroom in SpecialEd, for students with autism. Self contained classrooms means you teach more than one subject in the classroom and the students stay in your classroom. I teach multiple grade levels.

3. What are they looking forward to in their new year at Van Nuys?

I’m looking forward to my students to be successful in their studies and happy in my class and at Van Nuys.

4. How has it been so far adjusting to a new school? 

I think it’s been very good. I think that Van Nuys High is the best high school in the entire North area. We have a lot of school spirit, a wonderful student body, and great teachers.

5. What was your first impression of the school?

It’s architecturally beautiful. 

6. Was teaching your first career choice?

No. I worked as an Electrical Conductor. I graduated from CSUN in their teaching program. 

I graduated with my bachelors in 2004 as a Linguistics major and from graduate school to get my teaching credentials in General Education in 2006.

7. Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing?

I do a lot of volunteer work in nursing homes because that’s what I wanna do for volunteer work.

8. What is one thing you want everyone to know about you? 

I’m a nice teacher. I’m thankful to be here. I think we have a wonderful student body.