By Sydnie Sabbarese
Aaron Tyson was teaching his first-period math class when Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) Principal Dr. Morgan Smith and several other administrators, including Superintendent Dr. Clint Harwick, came into his classroom on Feb. 16 to surprise him with an unexpected announcement: he had been chosen as the district’s Teacher of the Year.
Tyson, unaware that he received the award until that moment, asked himself questions a variety of questions—What’s going on? Are they in the right room?”
After his initial feeling of surprise, Tyson recalls being most concerned with how his students were doing and how they would continue the lesson.
“I was more worried about getting back to my teaching than I was receiving the award,” Tyson said. “My job, and what I’m there to do is to make sure that everything is going well for my students and that’s what I really wanted to make sure of, even in that moment.”
Even though various students and staff members congratulated him, Tyson feels it was an interesting situation since awards and recognition are not what he strives for out when doing his job.
“It was weird to me, it wasn’t that I don’t think I deserve it but I don’t necessarily seek out those things,” he said. “It’s not a goal of mine and it’s not something that I’m trying to earn, I’m not trying to be recognized as a ‘teacher of the year;’ I’m just here to try and deliver an experience that is best for my students.”
When thinking back on the factors that went into him receiving the Teacher of the Year award, Tyson realized it was a bigger process for the district to choose than he had initially believed. Before being officially awarded, administrators had considered Tyson and a teacher from Edison High School for the award, only two of the estimated 700 teachers in the district.
“I guess, thinking about it that way, it really is a big [deal], so it’s pretty cool, but I don’t think that it’s fully sunken in yet even still,” Tyson said.
Many of Tyson’s current and former students have expressed their contentment with him receiving the award.
Senior Enya Nguyen, who had Tyson as a teacher during her freshman year, said she was “extremely happy” Tyson won the award because “he deserves so much more recognition for all that he does here at FVHS.”
“Mr. Tyson is one of the most understanding, patient and helpful teachers out there,” Nguyen said. “He’s always willing to take the extra mile to help, explain new and confusing topics and make sure we are able to comprehend them.”
She also added that one of her favorite things about having Tyson as a teacher is that “his teaching style is super clear, thorough and honestly one of the best.”
FVHS 2020 alumna Tracy Lam has similar sentiments with Nguyen about Tyson receiving the award. Lam, who had Tyson as a teacher during her senior year, said she wasn’t surprised Tyson won the award and appreciates how much he cares for students.
“Mr. Tyson was so kind and understanding of our different learning needs. During class, he would always clarify any questions we had and go over the material with us one-on-one when necessary,” Lam said. “He also stayed late after school if we needed extra help, even when he had to coach the girls’ basketball practice.”
Not only does Tyson go above and beyond when working as a math teacher; he’s also the Technology Resource Teacher (TRT) at FVHS, meaning he helps other staff members with technological needs. His assistance has been especially important during remote teaching and learning.
“Because everyone is having to do things virtually, there’s been a lot of extra things that I’ve had to do as far as a TRT is concerned,” Tyson said. “I’ve really had a lot of things that I’ve had to help people with or just find ways to make sure that people are able to do their job the way that they need to be able to do it from a distance.”
Being a virtual teacher himself during the first semester of this year, Tyson experienced multiple roadblocks when trying to complete his duties as TRT. However, he worked through them and helped his fellow staff members implement various forms of technology needed in their teaching process this year.
The dedication, helpfulness and care for his students and staff Tyson displays throughout his career, especially during a time as unpredictable and difficult as now, stood out to the district when deciding who they should choose as HBUHSD Teacher of the Year. Tyson rightfully received the award as a result of these characteristics.
