Pioneer's Newest Physics Teacher Influences Many
Olivia Musil has garnered positive reactions from all with her focus on student mental health.
By Gabriella Vasquez Del Mercado and Mia Howell
Olivia Musil has garnered positive reactions from all with her focus on student mental health.
By Gabriella Vasquez Del Mercado and Mia Howell
Concluding last year, a considerable amount of teachers said goodbye to Pioneer High School. A sizable gap in educators was left behind with their departure, needing new suitable teachers to fill in for them.
With more than a dozen new staff members, each department has gained at least one new teacher including the science department which has introduced Olivia Musil as a ninth grade physics teacher.
Musil graduated from San Diego State University, which she called “the best college ever.”
“I had the best time of my life and also got a great education. I 10/10 recommend it to any student thinking of applying,” Musil said.
This is her third year of teaching. Before coming to Pioneer she taught in East Side San Jose at an Ace Charter School.
“I really wanted to stay teaching in San Jose and I'm from the Bay Area. I love it a lot and I wanted to stay here so I'm really happy I get to work at Pioneer.” said Musil.
According to Musil, her teaching style is inspired by personal experience as well as the influence of her siblings.
“My siblings are teachers and I'm the youngest so I always look up to them”, said Musil, “I had a really rough time in high school. I struggled a lot mentally and I felt like I didn't have anyone at school that cared about me.”
The emotional well-being of her students is very important to Musil. Her different perspective on mental health has clearly impacted her students' view of her.
“I cannot sing her praises high enough. She is a phenomenal teacher, she consistently and always puts students first. She is more in touch with what the needs of the students are and how to meet those needs. She has more sensitivity and more experience with helping students who might have a harder time academically than other students.” said physics teacher Colleen McDonough.
“Ms. Musil is different from other teachers because she really wants to make sure you understand what she's saying and that she cares about you even outside of school.” said Emily Feierfeil, 9. “Ms. Musil’s teaching style is very interactive. She has us talk to the people around us and share out. She has great techniques that help us understand the material. She checks in on students and brings so much positivity and light to the school.”
Other students also appreciate her interactive style of teaching.
“Ms. Musil has a very hands on learning approach. This is unfortunately not something that all teachers are able to provide for students, but Ms. Musil manages to add in something hands-on each week.” said Sophia Gonzalez, 9. “She focuses a lot on mental health and provides a few minutes every class for students to get a chance to relax, take a break, and do breathing exercises.”
Her students also say she helps them to understand their daily assignments and work through challenges.
“I like how she includes everyone and tells us ahead of time what we will be doing in class.” said Jenna Salles-Chunha, 9. “She is great at breaking it down and helping us when we get stuck.”
According to McDonough, veteran teachers, including herself, have learned a lot from Musil.
“This is my fifteenth year teaching and I am learning so much about how to teach, how to reach students, how to differentiate students' behaviour between not caring and feeling overwhelmed and not having any idea of where to start,” said McDonough. “She should win teacher of the year. She has the potential to help the staff at Pioneer be a better place for students, a better place academically, a better place socially, and a better place emotionally.”
With more than a dozen new staff members, each department has gained at least one new teacher including the science department which has introduced Olivia Musil as a ninth grade physics teacher.
Musil graduated from San Diego State University, which she called “the best college ever.”
“I had the best time of my life and also got a great education. I 10/10 recommend it to any student thinking of applying,” Musil said.
This is her third year of teaching. Before coming to Pioneer she taught in East Side San Jose at an Ace Charter School.
“I really wanted to stay teaching in San Jose and I'm from the Bay Area. I love it a lot and I wanted to stay here so I'm really happy I get to work at Pioneer.” said Musil.
According to Musil, her teaching style is inspired by personal experience as well as the influence of her siblings.
“My siblings are teachers and I'm the youngest so I always look up to them”, said Musil, “I had a really rough time in high school. I struggled a lot mentally and I felt like I didn't have anyone at school that cared about me.”
The emotional well-being of her students is very important to Musil. Her different perspective on mental health has clearly impacted her students' view of her.
“I cannot sing her praises high enough. She is a phenomenal teacher, she consistently and always puts students first. She is more in touch with what the needs of the students are and how to meet those needs. She has more sensitivity and more experience with helping students who might have a harder time academically than other students.” said physics teacher Colleen McDonough.
“Ms. Musil is different from other teachers because she really wants to make sure you understand what she's saying and that she cares about you even outside of school.” said Emily Feierfeil, 9. “Ms. Musil’s teaching style is very interactive. She has us talk to the people around us and share out. She has great techniques that help us understand the material. She checks in on students and brings so much positivity and light to the school.”
Other students also appreciate her interactive style of teaching.
“Ms. Musil has a very hands on learning approach. This is unfortunately not something that all teachers are able to provide for students, but Ms. Musil manages to add in something hands-on each week.” said Sophia Gonzalez, 9. “She focuses a lot on mental health and provides a few minutes every class for students to get a chance to relax, take a break, and do breathing exercises.”
Her students also say she helps them to understand their daily assignments and work through challenges.
“I like how she includes everyone and tells us ahead of time what we will be doing in class.” said Jenna Salles-Chunha, 9. “She is great at breaking it down and helping us when we get stuck.”
According to McDonough, veteran teachers, including herself, have learned a lot from Musil.
“This is my fifteenth year teaching and I am learning so much about how to teach, how to reach students, how to differentiate students' behaviour between not caring and feeling overwhelmed and not having any idea of where to start,” said McDonough. “She should win teacher of the year. She has the potential to help the staff at Pioneer be a better place for students, a better place academically, a better place socially, and a better place emotionally.”