NPHS teachers retell their stories as past students
In its beginning, Newbury Park High School was surrounded by animals grazing and fields upon fields without houses. Today, it stands with over 2,000 students and hundreds of activities and sports. Ever since its opening as a public school in 1967, thousands have passed through its halls, and while many eventually move away, there are a handful of students who return to NPHS as teachers.
Currently in his thirtieth year as an educator, Curtis Scott teaches U.S. and World History. After graduating from NPHS in 1987, Scott attended Moorpark Community College before transferring to UCLA, where he earned his history degree. Scott then went on to Pepperdine University to receive his master’s and teaching credential, and eventually made his way back to Newbury Park and began his teaching career.
Scott was inspired to become a history teacher through his three-year experience in Paul Coffman’s class at NPHS, taking International Relations, Political Science and International Relations Two. “He was just a great teacher and he’s the one that kind of got me excited to get into teaching,” Scott said. While the school was not the only thing that had him coming back, Scott loves the town of Newbury Park. “I enjoyed growing up here, and I played baseball and football here. I wasn’t sure [I would come back], but once I got hired at Los Cerritos [Middle School], and then I got the head baseball job [at NPHS], and then I knew eventually, I would come back to teach,” Scott said.
Similar to Scott, Emily Hare is an NPHS alumna who has been teaching here for four years. Hare teaches special education and co-teaches a section Theater 1. When Hare was a student at NPHS, she found her passion for teaching. “I used to [be a] teacher’s assistant for Mrs. Alvarez here in the LEAP program. She inspired me to become a teacher,” Hare said. Now, she enjoys being a part of the NPHS community, and is able to connect with the faculty and teachers that were here when she was a student.
Every day, students at NPHS create unforgettable memories, even if they stem from something that would not always be deemed positive. While Hare was in high school, her graduation night event looked a little bit different than it would today, but the memories she made that night will last her a lifetime. “My grad night was at a Dave and Busters, which ended up being really awesome even though it was something that our whole senior class was mad about,” Hare said.
Chris Soury is also an alumnus who teaches at NPHS. Soury graduated in 1998 and continued his education at Moorpark College, eventually receiving his teaching credential at Cal Lutheran University. Soury started his professional journey at NPHS as an athletic trainer, but now teaches Associated Student Government and Physical Education.
Soury has been living in Newbury Park since he was little. Over the years he has noticed many different changes at our school. “I think one of the main differences that I see is there are so many opportunities for students to be involved. And I remember, as a student, I was always focused on what I was doing and not really looking to see what all the other things Newbury Park High School had to offer,” Soury said.
Even on campus, many of the teachers came from around the world. And while this allows for new experiences, those who stay in the same city their entire life maintain friendships like no other. The friends that Scott made at NPHS and the memories he created led him right back to his classroom today. “I still have a lot of friends that I made at Newbury Park High School and growing up. Our kids are now friends,” Scott said.
