The new social science teacher Austin Esparza Moon – no relation to the new 11th grade counselor Ms. Esparza – has just started his first official year of teaching here at Cypress High School. Before coming to Cypress, Esparza started as a substitute teacher at Magnolia High School as well as the coach for Magnolia’s boys and girls volleyball team. Esparza has been coaching for eight years, became the head coach for boys volleyball four and a half years ago, and head coach for the girls team two years ago. “Juggling teaching and coaching is definitely difficult, but it is such a fulfilling experience that it often doesn’t feel tiring. I’d have to say the hardest part has been learning to accept when and how to take time for yourself,” said Esparza. 

     When he was young, Esparza already knew he wanted to become a teacher “I actually got more into it by helping people I knew with things I understood,” he said. Despite juggling coaching and his first year at teaching, Esparza expressed how everything so far “been great and I’m really looking forward to Social Justice Day and what it’ll look like this year.” Esparza has also expressed wanting to get to know the Cypress community and “setting the pavers for my teaching career.”

     Esparza has also mentioned looking forward to getting to know his students. His advice is : to “prioritize taking care of yourself as one of your most important responsibilities. I know High school can be a very stressful time, but there are many many opportunities to succeed – progress and growth isn’t always going to be linear. Stick to it, but be mindful of your own wellbeing.”