All the way from the Keystone State of Pennsylvania, the school welcomes Reed Kendall to the math department. After earning a doctorate in education and working many years as a substitute teacher, Kendall brings his experience to the school.
Kendall teaches Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 2 and Personal Finance. During his time as a substitute teacher, he taught a wide range of classes, from Physical Education to Ceramics.
Kendall attended the University of Richmond and, after taking a two and a half year leave, finished with a Bachelor of Arts in education at Temple University, with a concentration in mathematics. Kendall then attended graduate school at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), getting a Doctor of Philosophy in education.
“At my [graduate school] I was hired to work there 50% of the time and then 50% of the time, I was a student,” Kendall said.
Kendall experimented with different careers before deciding to go into education. This included dabbling in the New Zealand music industry with guitar and microphone in hand in between his college years. He originally went to New Zealand to study abroad but actually switched his focus to music. Through these experiences, Kendall found connections between his passion for songwriting and teaching.
“At the root of what drove me to songwriting was connecting with others, and hopefully, that I’m doing a good job inspiring other people with my music,” Kendall said. “I think what motivates one to become a teacher is often very similar, like connecting with others and hopefully inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves.”
During Kendall’s doctorate program at UCSD, he researched methods to help improve school climates. His study focused on a greater incorporation of student voice in the education system to help students prosper and feel welcome, a practice he tries to incorporate into his classroom.
“I try to acknowledge that young people have valid opinions that are important and helpful,” Kendall said. “I ask my students all the time what they think, and I incorporate that into the decisions I make.”
Kendall also encourages students to learn from one another through collaborative work.
“To be able to learn something is one thing, and then to be able to explain what you have learned to someone else is more challenging but it’s really good trust and vibe building,” Kendall said. “It’s good to struggle through [math problems], and attempt to learn it by yourself and figure out which areas of the topic you don’t understand.”
Kendall encourages high school students to put less pressure on themselves to have their life path planned out.
“There are so many unique paths one might take,” Kendall said. “You do not need to have yours figured out … Try all sorts of different things and learn as much as you can about [them].”
During Kendall’s years as a high school student, his most fond memories involved music, such as playing in a chapel and showcasing his talents to his community. He wants students to find passions within school or extracurriculars that allow them to express themselves, just as music gave him a way to be himself.
“I encourage students to try to find something that reflects who they are,” Kendall said. “I will do my part as someone who works here to set up the structures to validate and highlight who students are.”
To balance out his busy days as an educator, Kendall prioritizes spending quality time with his wife and daughter on the weekends.
“An ideal weekend would be when there’s enough daylight for me to wake up, get in the ocean to surf at dawn then get back home in time to make pancakes for my daughter, who’s four,” Kendall said. “Then I might do something in the garden and spend the majority of my time hanging out with my wife, daughter and our dog. ”
When not spending time with the family, Kendall still returns to his musical roots when he can.
“I’ve started playing music again a little bit up in Encinitas on the weekends,” Kendall said. “My wife and I met through playing music, and my buddy Dan, who I went to high school with, lives in North County … and we just started playing at a little coffee cart on Sunday morning sometimes.”
As Kendall transitions from a substitute teacher handling various classroom environments to the role of a full-time teacher with his own corner on campus, he finds joy in his new position.
“My time as a teacher has been amazing,” Kendall said. “Having my own room and developing trust over time with students is exponentially rewarding”
