Every school year brings a new class of UHS students and with it, new additions to the already stellar staff. A total of thirteen new staff members have joined UHS this year, from a wide variety of departments including World Languages, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Music, Visual Arts, Athletics and Counseling.
Jenn Butler is the newest addition to the counseling department, serving as the Mental Health Specialist.
“I’m a licensed clinical social worker,” Butler said. “Before UNI I served as the primary mental health specialist for Norco Community College.”
Butler is excited to meet and work with students this upcoming year.
“My goal is to provide students with a safe, comfortable and validating space that they feel they can always come to and count on,” Butler said.
Matthew Pancoe, who is new in the mathematics department, studied at the University of California, Irvine, before coming to UHS.
“I want to be a teacher to make a positive impact on students,” Pancoe said. “I hope to help students in similar ways to how my teachers helped me when I was a high school student.”
Beyond teaching math, Pancoe enjoys surfing on the weekends.
Ellie Hung is also a new member of the mathematics department. Before coming to UHS, she worked as a teacher at other schools in Southern California, including Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Santa Ana High School.
“I enjoy being a part of students’ journey of learning math,” Hung said. “I think math is super fun, and I hope to share my passion and love for math with students.”
Kai McCann is a new English teacher for underclassmen. McCann graduated from Woodbridge High School, got her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and went to UCI for her master’s degree.
“I was someone who struggled academically in high school and felt inferior because of that,” McCann said, “I wanted to pursue teaching to reach students who don’t think of themselves as ‘good at English’ and empower them to be a critical thinker and a lifelong learner.”
Joyce Chung is a new counselor, having graduated from UHS before working as a tour manager for different Korean Pop (KPop) groups.
“The students and staff here are always so friendly and welcoming,” Chung said. “I’m excited to meet all the students and cheer alongside the Trojan Army at school events.”
Samantha Sparks is a teacher who is here temporarily, taking over for Mrs. Kramer during this upcoming school year. She teaches Intro to Graphic Design, Advanced Graphic Design, Studio Art and co-teaches Photo Journalism.
“Beyond UNI, I would love to keep teaching in Orange County and maybe even get my doctorate one day in Art Education,” Sparks said. “I would love to keep teaching high school, but also teach some college classes one day too.”
Another new teacher is Connor McBride, who is not only a social science teacher, but also the running back coach for the football team.
“As a teacher, I am able to impact over 170 students every day, adding another 60 or so on the football field, making it my dream job,” McBride said. “I also look forward to continuing developing new relationships with both the students and staff here at University.”
Erica Liu is new to UHS as a Spanish teacher, but she has taught at South Lake Middle School in Irvine for 12 years. Liu credits her inspiration to teach from past teachers she’s had.
“I was originally inspired to teach by my fifth-grade teacher,” Liu said. “I absolutely loved her class and wanted to follow in her footsteps.”
Maxwell Lowe, the Co-director of Instrumental Music, held a similar role at Fountain Valley High School before coming to UHS.
“I’m excited to get to know my students and the campus community, and to make some really incredible music alongside them,” Lowe said.
The other new staff members for this year are Reem Khan, a science teacher, Sheila Shaikh, a math teacher, Julia Cendejas, the athletic trainer and Lemuel Buscago, a campus control assistant.
As the school year kicks off, it’s important to ensure new staff are welcomed. Together, the student body can help new staff become a part of this community.
