Get to know your teachers
This year, Newbury Park High School welcomes a plethora of new teachers, each teaching their own unique subjects. Ranging from English to Social Studies, the new teachers are working hard to make sure their students are successful and learning to the best of their abilities.
Jeanette Zollinger is a special education teacher, who teaches grades nine through 12 English, Social Science and Social Emotional Special Education. When she’s not teaching, Zollinger enjoys spending time outdoors. “I love hiking. My husband and I go out into nature and take pictures of birds,” Zollinger said. “I also get to have fun reading books and diving into history…I make sure that their accommodations and needs are being met.”
When Zollinger was growing up, her dream job was to become an English teacher. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Utah. Zollinger has been working as a sub at Newbury Park High School since 2018. “I started subbing and after COVID, I decided it was time to get my credential. I think teenagers are phenomenal human beings…and [students] are so smart and creative and insightful,” Zollinger said.
Another teacher with a passion for nature is Vanessa Lane Rosiles, English teacher, and teaches freshmen, sophomores and juniors. A Ventura County local, she grew up in the community and now lives closer to Newbury Park. “I just wanted to be living in the community where I work, giving back [to the community],” Rosiles said. As a kid, she has always wanted to be a teacher. “I have a little sister and I used to go to my little sister and pretend to be her teacher. That was always fun for me,” Rosiles said.
Eager to continue her interest in teaching, Rosiles studied hard to achieve her dream job. “I went to Moorpark college and then I transferred and did my bachelors and my teaching credential at Cal State Channel Islands,” Rosiles said. Before working at NPHS, she developed her teaching skills in another community. “This is my first year teaching in my own class but I did my student teaching at Hueneme High School,” Rosiles said.
Miles Minton, 10-12th grade Social Studies teacher, also enjoys exploring the great outdoors. “I enjoy going to the beach, going camping, surfing and mountain biking, anything really outdoors,” Minton said. He graduated in 2007 from Cal State University Channel Islands after transferring from University of Tennessee and earned his teaching credential. Minton then earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree from Grand Canyon University. “I was teaching in Monterey for a while and wanted to move home to be closer to friends and family. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was probably half way through my sophomore year of college,” Minton said.
