A Masterclass in the English Wing

As this school year comes to a close, look back on all the fun activities, memories made, and things learned. For one teacher here at East, the end of this school year is not only the end to 186 days spent with students this year, but also the end to a 26 year teaching career, the last 17 of which were spent as a treasured member of the East community. 

"Everything I do is only to make students better, only to make you stronger." (Mr. Velasquez)

As Mr. Velasquez’s final year of teaching comes to a close, take a minute to reflect on the immense impact he has had, not only on students, but on everyone who has had the pleasure of seeing him purposefully walking around the second floor in the English wing wearing his iconic patterned short sleeve button down shirts. Hundreds of students have passed through his doors during his time here at East: from struggling readers in AVID to AP Lang students, and most recently, freshman taking English One Honors. 

Though he has taught everyone from 6th graders to adults, Mr. Velasquez claims (much to everyone's surprise), that the 9th graders are his favorite, because they “Keep me young and still have energy.” But more than that, he loves getting to know his students and sees something in East students that many adults often miss. “So many adults are so afraid of your generation. They think you’re going to fail,” he says, “They think you’re lazy but the majority of East students give me hope and inspiration for the future. I get to see all the talent, the thoughtfulness, the good hearts, the good brains.”

His immense belief in students and high expectations for every student he teaches has built him a strong reputation among teachers and caused his class to be feared by students as he is “not the babying type. I'm here to teach first, and then make sure you’re mentally well too so you can learn.” He wants all of his students, Like junior Nadia Debick, to be better thinkers and better humans. For many students, they realize years later that his class “Really set me up for success, especially in AP English and with college writing classes.” Despite his high expectations and priority on learning, he still makes the classroom fun with lots of group work, his well known sense of humor, and fun fridays.

In the English wing, his colleagues describe him as a man who is as disciplined as he is hilarious. Multiple teachers remember his snarky humor and incredible planning, so prepared that he makes copies for the second semester before the first semester is even over and so fast at grading that sometimes he would have assignments students handed in at the beginning of class graded and back to them by the end of the same period. 

His impact on staff was just as profound as his impact on students, with many of the teachers across the English department looking to him for leadership and advice on teaching. “He’s a leader here. His voice is an important one and will be missed” (Mr. Meils). Ms. Roberts calls his class a “masterclass” saying, “I watched you make it look effortless, but I know the thought, the love, and the purpose behind every single thing you do.” From his dedication to his students and focus on preparing them, to creating a Queer Lit class and agreeing to teach more than his required five classes, Mr. Velasquez has made a lasting impact on the English department and students here at East. 

After dedicating 26 years of his life to his students, from helping all of the students in his AVID class get into college, to weekly grammar practice to prep students for the SAT, Mr. Velasquez is looking forward to retirement. He plans to help his elderly parents, hiking, skiing and traveling. “You can’t travel as a teacher in the fall, so I’ve never seen the East coast in autumn, so I want to go out East, and then I want to go Europe and I have a Japan trip planned with friends.” 

When asked about his legacy here at East, Mr. Velasquez wonders, “Did I cause more problems or did I actually help? I’m hoping that overall the majority of kids in the long run will realize that they are prepared for college and the real world and that's what matters to me. That I didn't fail any of my students. That I did my best to make sure they were prepared for their future. Overall my goal was to help students and I think I did.” In the halls of East, the answer is that he most definitely helped. As Ms. Arnes puts it, "Mr. Velasquez has been an integral part of the English Department here at East High School, and will be greatly missed.”