By Ethan Lay
Staff Writer
Science teacher Joe Antonio officially retired after over two decades of teaching. Guiding hundreds of students and staff members, Antonio left on Jan. 9, with substitute Jose Huizar filling in for his earth science classes for the remainder of the school year.
After graduating from TC in 1987, Antonio returned to his alma mater in 2002, teaching chemistry, earth science and AP Environmental Science over the course of his career. He coached the water polo and swim team for 10 years with Linda
Simons, was the advisor for the Red Cross Club for around 20 years and mentored new teachers.
“One of the reasons why I’m retiring is that health care is too expensive in California,” Antonio said. “It costs more money than I make in a year just to get out of bed. I’m moving to Mississippi because I could afford caretakers there to get me in and out of bed, and do the things that I need in a wheelchair.”
Known for his humorous style of teaching, Antonio simplified complex concepts into interactive labs and hands-on experiments. One of his labs on stoichiometry incorporated s’mores to teach students about limiting reactants.
“I always hope that students take a little bit of me with them in terms of my humor, laughing, joking, being able to roll with the punches,“ Antonio said. “I made it fun for them, encouraged them to be able to get through and they were able to do well when they thought they could never do science.”
Following Antonio’s leave, 2019 alumnus Huizar will teach his class until the school hires a new teacher. Huizar was a former student teacher under biology and APES teacher Chris Cunningham. Huizar took over Antonio’s earth science classes and Cunningham’s second-period biology class, whereas Cunningham started teaching Antonio’s second-period APES class. Antonio spent his final weeks on campus introducing his students to their new teacher.
“Antonio just cared so much for his students,” Vice Principal Dr. Binh Nguyen said. “He was relatable and funny and for many students who were economically disadvantaged, he even paid for their yearbooks, spending his own money for them, just out of the kindness of his own heart.”