With a background in the industry, Lauren is now in her third year as a teacher – and she loves it! Lauren discovered a passion for teaching and can continue to do more of the hands-on work she previously did. 

While students learn graphic design on a computer, Lauren’s classroom also opens up to a t-shirt printing shop where students are able to screen print t-shirts, totes, and caps to sell to the student body.  

“So, finding out that it actually is very hands on and not just like a desk class is very exciting for them, and it’s cool to see what they create on their own,” Lauren said. “They have the option to do something from concept to completion.” 

Erik is one of a few teachers who not only is an alum of Tucson High, but had a parent teach at Tucson High – making him a Legacy Educator. He had his mother, who taught Biology, as a teacher when he attended in the 90’s and now teaches AP Chemistry and Dual Enrollment Geology in the same classroom he took chemistry in as a student. 

Erik said one of his favorite things about teaching these advanced courses is seeing how much growth those classes have had. When he took AP Chemistry in 1999, there were only four students in the course. Now, he has two classes of 25 students in the same course. 

“I like the kids challenging themselves because there’s some hard chemistry that they have to do,” Erik said. 

Julian has a long history with Tucson High’s Little Theater, but he’s now taken his biggest role yet – head of the theater department. The bump up in position came after longtime drama teacher Art Almquist retired, but don’t expect any major changes coming to the department. 

Julian was actually in one of Art’s very first classes when the former teacher started at Tucson High in the late 90’s. After college, Julian came back and taught alongside his former teacher and mentor. And now he wants to continue in Art’s footsteps while also making a name for Tucson High’s Theater Arts. He wants the productions that take place in The Little Theater to not only stand out among high school productions, but through the theater community in southeastern Arizona. 

“The Little Theater is a really magical place,” Julian said.