BY MATTHEW RISKO

“Students are obviously the best thing about teaching. Every student is special, with their own idiosyncrasies and needs.” These were the sentiments expressed by Science Teacher Dr. Juan Fernandez, who was designated Teacher of the Month for the month of May. Upon being informed of this distinction, Fernandez would comment that, “It feels really awesome to have been chosen as the teacher of the month. It’s a real honor, given the amazing colleagues that I have at Branham. I wish all teachers could be recognized as teacher of the month.”

Mr. Fernandez was born in Pamplona, Spain, the city which each July hosts the world-famous “running of the bulls”. Fernandez would grow up in a town some 50 miles away from the place of his birth, and would have a childhood which he described as “great”. Fernandez states that from relatively early in his life, he knew he was interested in becoming a teacher. After graduating from college he went on to a graduate program, where he would eventually earn a doctorate in science, after which he went into research at public universities and a private company.

Despite apparently being fast-tracked to the world of scientific research and development, Fernandez could not shake the feeling that something was missing, and seeking a different kind of fulfillment, began to pursue a career in teaching, first as a middle school science instructor, before going on to teach high school. Known as much for his deep mastery of the subject matter which he teaches as for the genuine compassion with which he regards his students, and the passion which he holds for his profession, Fernandez is warmly-regarded by the majority of his pupils, and during his time at Branham High School, has become something of a fixture on campus. It is for these reasons, therefore, that Dr. Juan Fernandez was deemed, and is well deserving of, the title of May’s Teacher of the Month.