By Duke Saunders
Staff Writer
After teaching the phrase “hasta luego” to his first and second-year Spanish students for many years, Jim Hands is now saying “see you later” to the Costa community while opening the door for a new face among the faculty members.
In the beginning of September 2014, Hands was promoted to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s English Language Development Department (ELD) and has officially left Costa’s Foreign Language Department. The ELD Department specializes in aiding students and employees who have recently moved to MBUSD and struggle to understand English.
“With more than 10 years of teaching Spanish, I have no doubt that Mr. Hands will serve as a vital addition to the community’s ELD Department,” Advanced Placement Spanish Literature teacher Anita Rossell said. “I believe that his dedication and passion for linguistics will help successfully welcome the district’s new students and faculty members.”
According to Hands’ replacement, José Castillo, he is excited to join the Mustang family as well as the school’s tradition of excellence. Castillo will take over Hands’ Spanish 1 and 2 classes this year and plans on returning for the 2015-16 school year.
After completing his undergraduate studies at New York University, Castillo went on to earn his master’s degree in Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL). He then began teaching high school Spanish in the San Francisco Bay Area. After his move to Los Angeles, Castillo was drawn to the teaching opportunity at Mira Costa and applied immediately.
“This high school and community has a lot to offer,” Castillo said. “I am most impressed by the diverse, exciting and wonderful performing arts programs that Costa has to offer.”
In the coming years, Castillo hopes to become more involved in Costa’s choir department, as he sang in an all-male a cappella group while at NYU in addition to his experience as a member of both his church and high school choir groups. Castillo’s love for extracurricular activities extends to more than just the performance arts, as he also hopes to eventually help student government advisor Lisa Claypoole with ASB events.
Switching teachers is difficult for any student at the beginning of the school year, but according junior Athena Booras, students are welcoming Castillo, describing him as a valuable member of Costa’s teaching staff.
“Even though the transition was a bit stressful for me and my fellow classmates at the beginning of the year, Mr. Castillo has quickly become a bright light in my daily schedule,” Booras said. “I look forward to seeing how Mr. Castillo incorporates his passion for the Spanish language into class activities. I have no doubt that he will continue our tradition of excellence here at Costa.”
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