Collins is pictured getting ready to enjoy yet another weekend of flying. Photo courtesy of Spanish Teacher Joanne Collins.

San Luis Obispo High School Spanish teacher Joanne Collins is a favorite of many students. She solely teaches Spanish II and is great at what she does.

2023 will be the last year that she teaches at SLOHS.

  “I feel like she’s someone that welcomes you into her class, of course as long as you’re respectful to her and follow her rules. In my time of having her as a teacher, she’s been very welcoming and very comforting. She’s always been there for me and she’s super easy to talk to. She can be more of a friend than a teacher, and I think that’s a great thing,” said sophomore Fay Samaan.

 Expressions interviewed Collins about her life and why she chose to teach Spanish. 

Expressions: What made you want to be a teacher and why did you choose Spanish? 

Spanish II teacher Joanne Collins: Well I wanted to be a teacher because I really like working with students and connecting with them and watching them grow. I became fluent in Spanish so I thought that would be a good fit.

Expressions: If you had to teach a different class what would you teach? 

Collins: I think I would like to teach history or PE.

Expressions: What do you do in your free time?

Collins: I like to fly airplanes. I was born into an aviation family and learned to fly when I was really young (Collins has known how to fly her whole life and has a plane in her family that’s been passed down three generations.)

Expressions:. Students feel like they can come to you and talk to you about non-school related things and have a more meaningful relationship. Is that something you value with your students? 

Collins: Absolutely, connection is everything. If we’re not connecting, then they’re not going to be able to learn from me.

Expressions: What are you planning to do after your retirement? 

Collins: I’m moving out of the area so I’ll be able to fly my dad’s airplane more. I’ll be doing a lot of flying and probably boating.

  Collins really enjoyed her time teaching, but she is looking forward to retirement. If you have her, make sure to send her off with a goodbye!