James Oh

Hien Nguyen

Assistant Principal James Oh may have an office stationed in student services, but he’s often seen around campus, in classrooms, the quad or talking with students and staff. With 16 years of experience in education, Oh brings a background of both teaching and administration.

Oh’s journey into education began after earning a film degree from California State University, Northridge. He later returned to earn his teaching credential in English and completed an administrative credential at Concordia University.

Having been a teacher for a decade, Oh maintains a close connection to his teaching roots even as an administrator.

“I was an English teacher. I still think of myself as a teacher, even though I’ve been out of the classroom for a few years now… And yeah, being a classroom teacher was huge. It was a responsibility that I took seriously,” Oh said.

Oh’s current job might have a little bit of everything, but it all starts with helping students.

“My day, it’s mostly dedicated to student services. Then I support with a little bit of everything, really, after that,” Oh said. 

Though he’s just getting started as an administrator at this school, Oh has already defined how he aims to contribute to the team.

“I just try to be as responsible as I can be…That’s kind of my professional baseline: don’t add more work to others, support where I can and hopefully be an asset,” Oh said.

Before joining West Covina, Oh had worked as an assistant principal for schools in Los Angeles. But when union rules in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) put him at risk of getting “bumped” in favor of someone with more seniority, he decided to look elsewhere.

“I’m not the type of person to just let that happen. I wasn’t going to sit around and wait to be bumped… I wasn’t going to let the system move me to a place I didn’t want to go,” Oh said.

Oh was initially hesitant to accept the new role due to the school’s size and workload, but reconsidered after receiving positive feedback from his peers.

“I asked around… They told me it’s a good school, it’s improving, and they’d heard good things. So I knew then the decision was yes,” Oh said.

Now that he’s here, Oh is focused on supporting the existing community and connecting with students and staff. He enjoys observing teachers at work and students learning, with plans to visit more classrooms moving forward.

Jade Rowe

Xavier Cheng

Jade Rowe begins her first year as the school’s health clerk. As a health clerk, she checks in on students inside the health office who need medical attention.

Rowe attended and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, the current number one public university in the United States, according to US News’ college rankings, with a degree in English.

Along with graduating from a top university, Rowe is also multilingual, knowing how to speak five languages. In college, she discovered her love for learning new languages.

“So I speak a little bit of Mandarin. That’s probably my weakest one, and then I speak Indonesian, Spanish, and English and then also French,” Rowe said.

Using her language skills, she is able to speak with a variety of students and their parents in Spanish or Mandarin.

Before becoming the school’s health clerk, she was a teacher in the Claremont School District and Oakland School District, teaching children of all ages, but specifically in a bilingual school, being able to easily communicate with them in their languages while also teaching them English.

“Previously, I was a teacher, so it’s definitely important to just have supportive adults in your life,” Rowe said.

After being here for two months, Rowe’s adjustment to her new campus comes from her surroundings.

“…I really like the environment. I feel like everyone, students, teachers, and office staff, including also like… security, as well as the custodial staff. Everyone is very welcoming,” Rowe said.

The officer workers, Sylvia Sanchez, Deanna Landa, and Gabriela Quintana, have made her transition to this school less intimidating, providing support for anything she needs help with. This allowed her to adjust to the school environment easier.

“I would say they specifically helped me settle into West Covina, introducing these people, showing me the specifics of the job. So just kind of like the order of operations for certain tasks,” Rowe said.

As Rowe continues throughout the rest of the school year as the school’s health clerk, she looks forward to helping out more students and being a vital support to the Bulldog community.

Leticia Hernandez

RoxyRyan Catano

After working as a lead counselor at Edgewood High School, Leticia Hernandez returned to the Bulldogs.  Since there was an opening after a counselor left, after she had previously relocated to Edgewood due to an enrollment decline here. However, despite being moved, it didn’t stop Hernandez’s love for the school.

“I saw an opportunity to come back home to Bulldog country and make sure I finished my career here,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez has been enjoying her return and started off by redoing her office to create a welcoming environment where students can feel comfortable with new furniture and pictures of her loved ones.

Hernandez had left to Edgewood while her oldest son was attending high school and missed out on being part of the school staff at West Covina while her second son attended.

“That was hard to be able to do everything from a distance, but I’m excited because my youngest will be coming up in about a couple years,” Hernandez said.

While she is anticipating being able to work here at the same time as her daughter attending school, who will go here in a few years. She is also excited just to be back in Bulldog country. 

“I had new school jitters, first day of school jitters but they were good jitters because I know I was coming back to people that I knew,” Hernandez said.

Stephen Hagerty

Lisa Ly

With over three decades of experience working as a coach, Stephen Hagerty is the new Athletic Director on campus. As the athletic director, he works with student athletes, clearing their paperwork and working with other coaches.

He checks for the students’ medical insurance and academic requirements, making sure they get everything sorted out before they are able to play. 

“I help coaches coach as well. So, and that’s the part of it that I like the most, is that. So they can give the kids a better experience of being in there on their team,” Hagerty said.

During his personal time away from work, Hagerty spends it with his family and golfing with friends. He also enjoys listening to music and books.

“I’m always listening to a book in the car… I like watching what coaches do with sports, so I kind of like strategies, and I kind of pay attention to that,” Hagerty said.

Vincent Buu

Sebastian Cisneros

Students walking past room M2 this year may notice a new face in the math department. Vincent Buu, or Coach Buu, is a first year business math and algebra III teacher who also coaches tennis, bringing a motivating and passionate vibe to West Covina High School.

Buu shared that his decision to work here was influenced by the school’s strong sense of unity.

“West Covina is known for having a strong community between its schools, teachers and parents…I wanted to be part of that and help build that sense of connection,” Buu said.

The school’s community has a reputation for being well-rounded, with teachers, students and families actively supporting students in both academics and extracurriculars. From the performing arts programs to athletics and clubs, create an environment where students can be involved in multiple areas while being supported by those around them.

As both a teacher and a coach, Buu hopes to build meaningful relationships with students while motivating them to reach their full potential.

“I want to get in touch with the culture…It’s not just a math class, it’s a place where you learn from your mistakes and become a better version of yourself,” Buu said.

Outside of school, Buu has several pastimes that keep him busy. Buu spends time gaming, advising the Clash Royale Club and the KPop Club. He even cuts hair, a skill he picked up during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I’m not a certified barber, but I know how to give a good low taper fade,” Buu said.

Buu’s first year at West Covina is already off to an active start. Whether he’s teaching math, coaching tennis or connecting with students through shared interests, he is focused on building relationships and creating a positive learning environment for everyone, both in the classroom and on the tennis courts.

Sergeant Eddie N. Caro Ugarte

Ann Trinh

Sergeant Caro, full name Eddie N. Caro Ugarte, graduated from Park University in Missouri with a degree in business administration and a minor in human resources (HR), as well as two associates in information technology and HR. 

At first, Caro did not come to this campus with a set decision to work here. Originally, he visited as an intern because the location was close to his previous job. He was an active duty air force for 22 years and was set to retire, but in the last six months before retirement, he was offered the opportunity to intern here for AFJROTC, which he took. 

“Meeting the staff beforehand, I noticed they’re very professional, very kind, and then I fell in love with the class. The students are amazing, and they love working together,” Caro said. 

Caro has two daughters and loves traveling in his free time. Short or long trips, he enjoys exploring the world and recently came  back from a weekend trip to Atlanta. He has visited 49 states in the nation and has yet to visit Colorado. 

His favorite cuisine is Japanese and a close runner-up is Mexican food. He has been to Japan multiple times and loves wagyu and sushi; he also enjoys eating chicken mole and quesadillas. 

Caro has been recruiting for the last 17 years and hopes to see his students grow and develop their futures. In the future, he wishes to keep influencing the youth. 

Orlando Centeno

Isabella Garduno

Orlando Centeno comes as a new addition to the Spanish department. Between both Spanish I and II, he teaches a variety of students this year in room K-12, spreading the language across campus.

In previous years, he taught seven years at the elementary level and 14 years at the high school level, with a total of 21years in teaching. For the last six years, Centeno taught in Los Angeles.

Commuting from Covina, where he lives, to LA took about an hour. The traffic played a part when looking for new schools to apply to.

“It was a distance, because over the last six years I’ve been doing that and it’s tiring. At the end of the day, I was very like, even like falling asleep driving, because I was just so tired,” Centeno said.

Apart from distance, he also piqued interest in the opportunities for students. The selection of classes, the student success and the staff inclusion were all aspects considered for potential employment. Looking at all of these aspects of the school, Centeno decided on West Covina High School.

“Playing golf, I got a message on my phone, ‘We’re going to offer you the position,’” Centeno said.

Golf is a hobby of his, using the sport as a constant learning opportunity. Playing and watching professionals play are activities he has partaken in since the beginning of his teaching career. Centeno plays every weekend when possible; it is important to him and former students have recognized that by gifting him items such as golf balls and other handmade items.

Ceteno believes that questioning oneself is a pathway to self-improvement –  both professionally and personally and he strives to be a better teacher and  golfer. Even with experience, there is still more to learn.

“You want to be the type of teacher that the kids want to come to class with,” Centeno said.

Liza Coe

Luna Medina

Liza Coe is a second-year biology teacher whose dedication to helping students succeed is displayed through the lessons she teaches. As a first-generation student, Coe brings a background in tutoring and a passion for supporting first-generation students like herself.

Before becoming a high school teacher, Coe taught eighth grade at Octavia E. Butler Middle School in Pasadena. Growing up in the San Gabriel-Alhambra region, she brings a deep understanding and connection to Southern California communities and the culture. Coe earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed her master’s degree and teaching credentials at the University of California, Riverside.

For Coe, her interest in becoming a teacher didn’t stem from a classroom; it started through tutoring.

“I tutored little kids, but I also tutored former foster youth and children of immigrants. I’m a first-generation college student myself, so it felt really nice to give back to communities I relate to,” Coe said. 

Her early tutoring experiences helped her realize that teaching is more than just a job. Working with students who reminded her of her own background as a first-generation student, taught her the importance of access to education. Coe believes working with children in underrepresented communities and first-generation students is what continues to motivate her.

“There‘s a lot of drive and purpose in those communities. It’s inspiring to work with students who are not doing it just for themselves but for their families,” Coe said.

That sense of purpose, she explained, gives her a reason to invest deeply in her students’ success. Seeing their motivation and feeling the connection reminds her of why she entered teaching: to guide students and prepare them for success.

Now in her current role teaching freshmen, Coe said she’s noticed something unique about her students. 

“My favorite thing so far is that the kids are really respectful and engaged. They’re happy to do activities and labs, and that makes teaching enjoyable,” Coe said.

Coe’s students’ willingness to learn, she added, makes her excited to continue growing as an educator beside them. As she builds her career, Coe hopes to continue fostering that same passion and drive she sees in her students, which promotes her classroom as a space of encouragement and growth. 

Alex Lohman

Wendy Mac

Financial algebra and math teacher Alex Lohman teaches in C-3. Previously, he was a student teacher at Henry J. Kaiser High School in Fontana.

He discovered West Covina High School while searching for a career in teaching. After researching, he found this school appealing.

As his first year teaching here, he has been enjoying the experience overall.

“I’ve been enjoying just kind of getting to see where everybody’s at and start working on getting better at math,” Lohman said.

He is content with the opportunity to teach here and looks forward to working with all staff and students.

“…changing their perspective about math a little bit, trying to make it a good place to be,” Lohman said.

Katina Maggiore 

Carolina Salazar

World and U.S. history teacher Katina Maggiore in M7 has been teaching for 20 years and transferred from Walnut Grove Intermediate School. 

As a teacher, her interest in history grew during the time of Former President Barack Obama’s election, which she refers to as a historic milestone. 

“I remember that being the first time that I felt incredibly proud of our country … when he was elected, it just gave me a different type of hope and idealism about our country’s future, and that got me just wanting to learn more,” Maggiore said. 

Current political events turned teaching history into a passion for her.

“I just think it’s a really important subject for young people to understand how much they need to know about history moving forward, how much understanding history can affect our decision,” Maggiore said. 

Maggiore was a former West Covina High School student, so teaching current students is a full circle moment. 

“I graduated from West Covina myself. My son went here and graduated from here, so I just, I feel like I’m just part of the West Covina community, so being here just kind of brings that full circle,” Maggiore said. 

Autumn Ramos

Juliana Scott

Math teacher Autumn Ramos started her first year here and teaches integrated math 2 and 3 enhanced for freshmen up to juniors. Ramos graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, majoring in mathematics with an emphasis in education.

With her love of helping people, Ramos knew at an early age that she wanted to be a teacher. She enjoyed helping friends and classmates during her school days by explaining math homework to them, but didn’t like having to explain any other subjects.

“…And then kind of as I got older, I realized, math was specifically, is what I wanted to do, just because I enjoyed helping out my friends and explaining it to them when they didn’t get it,” Ramos said.

People may not realize how little they know about their teachers. For example, even though Ramos is a teacher and talks in front of the class, she is very timid and may still be nervous, experiencing stage fright in the classroom.

Even though Ramos may get stage fright when talking in front of a class, she tries to overcome this fear by the quote, “Follow your plan, not your mood.”

“So, be consistent, even when you know you’re not really feeling like it. So that’s something I live by…” Ramos said.

As Ramos continues her teaching journey on campus, she looks forward to helping people through math, as she did when she was in school.

Aaron Schumacher

Ruth Hernandez

Aaron Schumacher is new to the school, but an experienced, multi-subject teacher, being able to teach all levels of math, all social sciences, all sciences, and all levels of English. After previously teaching at Edgewood High School for 11 years and 14 years at Charter Oak, he brings 25 years of knowledge to the classroom.

Schumacher’s schedule includes maths, integrated 1A and integrated 1B, directed studies, government, world history, biology, environmental science and English I to English IV. 

Outside of the classroom, Schumacher expresses himself through the clothing he chooses to wear, and the way he designs his classroom.

His clothing often consists mainly of blacks, grays, and occasionally red, as he does not have a favorite color. However, his classroom is decorated with colorful banners containing information about the growth of the mindset and having positive mentalities. 

When discussing food preferences, he believes that his tastes are unconventional.

“Pineapple belongs on pizza, traditionally, no, but I do enjoy pineapple on pizza, depending on the ingredients with it. And, I would say if I had to pick something, with some good bacon. I do like bacon. Bacon and pineapple,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher’s teaching method relies on having effective communication with his students. 

“I’m very understanding and I listen to my students. I don’t always know where they’re at, but I hope they can tell me what they need academically, socially, or even emotionally. I’d say I’m student-centered and a good listener,” Schumacher said. 

Kirsten Song

William Xu

Kirsten Song, the new chemistry teacher, is one of the new teachers on campus. Song’s hobbies outside of being a teacher include doing taekwondo, using a bo staff, which is a long two handed staff made of wood that is typically used in martial arts and playing basketball. Though she does all these hobbies outside of teaching, Song shares why she became a teacher instead of pursuing other careers.

“I really want to make sure that students have every opportunity they can to succeed, and I became a teacher because I felt that I have the passion and the capabilities to make that happen, to make every student feel comfortable in my classroom,” Song said.

Song also finds that she loves connecting and helping her students.

“Oh yeah, the students have been absolutely fantastic. They’ve been motivated. They’re great to talk to. Sometimes you have to do a little bit extra to make sure that they’re on task. But overall, I think that they’re fantastic,” Song said.

She also wants to teach students what to love about chemistry.

“I love chemistry because of all the labs. I think it’s a great way to get students involved in chemistry and to see all the fun things that you can do to keep their attention. But yeah, overall, I really love labs. I love making explosions, having fun with it and connecting it to the curriculum,” Song said.