CSUB History Alumni News

Both Penny Calderon and John Folger (BA ’99) are currently teaching at Fairfax Middle School. John teaches social studies, and Penny works with special education students. She shares the following about her experiences working with these kids: “I became interested in Special Ed. when I had to take a class for my credential.  I found I really enjoyed it.  I decided to take Special Ed. Courses and get my credential in that.  I have been working at Fairfax Middle School since 2000.  I am really enjoying it.  My life is never dull and there is never a boring moment.  I even get to teach Social Studies.  I teach 8th grade so we learn about US history and the Constitution.  I work with a great bunch of people too.  You have to be willing to be a parent as well as a teacher to the kids.  They come to you with all sorts of problems.  I know that some complain that the pay isn’t great, but I’m happy.”

After twelve years of teaching junior high school social studies in the Panama-Buena Vista School District, Marie Woodard (BA ’94) is taking a break to consider her career options. One highlight in the last couple of years was a trip to Jerusalem and Palestine to see where her father had grown up and visit relatives who still live there.

Theo Zaninovich (MA ‘97) currently serves as chair of the Advisory Board Committee for Stewardship at the UC Berkeley Library, which provides her with “a rare view of amazing collections.” She spends a fair amount of time in northern California, as she and her husband have a winery in Napa Valley. When not occupied with those efforts, she enjoys spending time with her six young grandchildren.