By: Neval Mulaomerovic and Ginnie Lo
Four teachers are leaving after the school year ends, Principal Francis Rojas said. Athletics Directors Jeff Lamb, Math Teacher Elena Sherbakov, and Math Teacher Jenn Wang are retiring, whereas English Teacher Ari Cohen is moving, Rojas continued.
All of the teachers retiring have been teaching here for a long time, Rojas stated. Even though it is unfortunate to lose these teachers, MHS will be gaining many qualified teachers to replace them, he continued.
“We’re going to have a lot of new staff next year,” Rojas said. “Over 50% of our vacancies were filled by the first week of April. We are in a situation where we have teachers that want to be here and teachers who have really good experience. And so I think next year we’re going to have at least a dozen new teachers.”
Lamb is retiring after 42 years in the school district, Lamb said. He began his career in October 1977 as a substitute teacher, after which he was asked to coach that same school year, Lamb continued.
“To be honest, I’m 65 years old and been working here for a long time,” Lamb said. “With teach er’s pension, I’ll make more money retired than I do working, so it makes sense to retire. I have no plans to leave [the bay area]. I live a mile from MHS, so I’ll still be here.”
His time at MHS has been enjoyable whether it has been as a Physical Education teacher, driver’s education trainer, or math teacher, Lamb said. The students he interacted with have always been a highlight of his time in the district, he said.
“If you want to be in school, you need to be involved in more than just going to school,” Lamb said, offering advice to future students. “Be involved in other things. Having to work with people and in different environments is important because when you go out into the world it’s not just how much you know, it’s how you work along with other people.”
Now is the right time to let someone else take the role of volleyball coach and Athletics Director, Lamb said. “Leaving is bittersweet,” Lamb stated. “Someone had asked if I’m still going to coach volleyball and I may help out, but I don’t think there are certain things you need to hang onto because even if you like it, sometimes it’s somebody else’s turn.”
Sherbakov plans to stay in the Bay Area and take care of her plants and animals at her farm. “[I] became a teacher [at MHS from] volunteering a lot at school as a parent, and so parenting made me become a teacher,” Sherbakov said. “I will still be back hopefully to substitute.”
Sherbakov hopes that once she leaves, other teachers will not be overwhelmed with work in her absence. She wants to remind teachers that she will try her best to help, if needed.
“Well, my retirement will be really hard, I’m super busy from 7:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M everyday with practically no days off, so I just hope it will not be as intense when I leave because I don’t want to overload other teachers too much with work,” Sherbakov explained. “I will be available to help – that’s my message.”
Wang has been teaching for 14 years. She felt that areas of her life were calling louder and that she had to follow her heart, she said.
“I plan to clean up my house, travel, and devote more time to my family,” Wang said. “I also want to get involved in current issues such as climate change and equality.”
Wang has two masters degree in math, she said. She decided to teach at MHS because she did not want to teach both math and science at a different school, Wang added.
“I like how diverse the school is and how the kids here are nice,” Wang stated. “[My favorite memory] is when my students are challenged and they understand the [math] concepts and they appreciate the challenge. [I want to tell future students] to own your education, apply yourself, and realize your potential.”
Ari Cohen is leaving after three years teaching at MHS. His departure is due to high housing prices in Silicon Valley and his desire to join his girlfriend in San Diego, he said.
“I am going to continue teaching where I end up going,” Cohen said. “I do sometimes worry if I’ll be able to do it anywhere but Milpitas, but I’m going to try it out and see what happens.”
After being both a student and teacher at MHS, there is no single memory that sticks out to him, as every day carries something special, he said.
“It’s my third year teaching here and it’s my seventh year here,” Cohen said. “I ideally do not want to be leaving. The people here made this place my home for so long. No matter where I’m at, this place is going to be my home whether I like it or not. Everyday I feel like I’m a part of something.”