San Luis Obispo High School teacher Lisa Washmuth brings tons of smiles and laughs to students and staff. She teaches a variety of different electives at SLOHS, at all grade levels. Expressions went out to interview Washmuth to get to know her a little bit more!

Expressions: How many years have you been teaching?

SLOHS teacher Lisa Washmuth: I have been teaching 25 years.  I started out as an elementary teacher, but moved to high school for more creativity and to teach what my degree is in.  I have been a high school teacher for 17 years.

Expressions: What is your favorite class to teach considering you teach different varieties of electives?

Washmuth: I do teach a variety of courses.  From Developmental Psychology of Children to Fashion and Interior Merchandising, and all the courses in between.  My favorite courses are the interior design courses.  That was my concentration at Cal Poly in the Home Economics Department.  I love the puzzle of space planning and also picking out fabrics and finishes.  I also love giving the students the technical information about construction because so many people think interior design is all about choosing fabric for pillows and curtains.  That is interior decorating in which there is no degree for.

Expressions: Do you like/dislike distance learning?

Washmuth: I dislike distance learning very much.  It is very difficult to teach hands on skills from Los Osos to students in other towns via the slow and unreliable internet.  I have picked up many skills and learned new programs, so that is a plus.  I miss being with the students.  I love that part of teaching, so distance learning is very sad.

Expressions: What has been the funniest moment you have encountered teaching?

Washmuth: The funniest thing that has happened while being with students in person is when I was on an FCCLA Meeting trip.  I thought all the students were in the van and the door had just closed.  In reality, former SLOHS student Shaan Carlson had just opened the door to get in.  He was running beside the van and yelling at me to stop.  The kids joke for every field trip after that to hurry up because Wash would leave them behind or make them run alongside the van.

Expressions: If you were not a teacher what would you be doing in life?

Washmuth: If I was not a teacher, I would be working at a ski resort as a (hahahaha) ski instructor or ski patrol.  I plan on being a ski instructor when I retire and have been talking to ski instructors about that job.  Yippy!