Walking past room 224, you’ll hear the sound of chatter and crinkling bags of food overwhelming your senses and drawing you into not just any classroom, but Antonio Arredondo’s classroom – the school’s hot spot for sharing stories and passing around the trail mix. Anyone who knows Arredondo knows that he offers not only lessons and assignments, but also a place to chat and chow down while escaping one’s demanding academic courses at CVHS.
Arredondo, who is in his sixth year at CVHS, teaches chemistry and biology and coaches girls soccer. Being a teacher, husband, and veteran grants many experiences that allow Arredondo to share his multifaceted perspective on the CVHS campus.
Having spent the majority of his life in the military, Arredondo has traveled the world and participated in many kinds of experiences and cultures, which opened his eyes and motivated him to become a teacher.
“I got to see firsthand what happens when people are uneducated in masses,” Arredondo said. “So, one of the reasons I became a teacher is to fight at the ground level here in the U.S.” He hopes to utilize his experiences to educate the younger generation.
Whether it may be in or out of his classroom, he is known for his friendly and funny personality. Arredondo continuously provides his students with countless snacks, ranging from donuts every Monday and Friday, to trail mix, popcorn, and even a variety of drinks.
“It’s open to anyone, so there is no judgment there. It’s just first come, first served,” he stated.
Arredondo makes sure that all students feel welcome whenever they come into his classroom. In fact, he prides himself on his classroom being a “no-judgment zone.”
One of the many reasons why Arredondo began this heartwarming tradition is “many students may not be able to eat at home, but some may be too embarrassed to say anything,” he says.
“I think that everybody needs to eat, and everybody needs to enjoy a little bit of a part of their day. And so if I can bring that enjoyment with snacks, why not?
He provides snacks not only to support the well-being of his students, but also to help him connect with them, to make sure they always have someone on campus they are able to talk to.
“Typically, whenever people eat, people like to talk,” he explained. “It’s interesting to hear them grow up. That’s probably the best part of it, right? To see them grow up through these adventures. We as adults have made a lot of the same mistakes, and we try to steer this younger generation.”
Arredondo hopes to share his knowledge and to conduct “intellectually stimulating” conversations that can convey the fruitful advice he’s gathered from his life experiences to future generations. “I know that if I share the information, I pass it down successfully, and I feel good that in the future, we’ll be okay,” he replied.
Sharing his life advice about how things have changed, he says “It’s okay to not be serious all the time” Arredondo adds. “When I was growing up, way in the 80s, life wasn’t so serious. Unfortunately for you and your generation, your life is always serious, and that’s not healthy.”
Arredondo’s classroom strongly maintains its reputation as a safe place for students to lay back, and he welcomes all to come and join him.
“Come get a snack. Come make a mess. Let’s get big together.”
