This year, San Luis Obispo High School has welcomed many new teachers into their staff. One of these teachers is AP Language and Composition and Eleventh grade American Literature teacher Brian Moss.
Expressions set out to learn more about Moss and how he feels at this new job.
Expressions: How long have you been teaching?
English teacher Brian Moss: I’ve been teaching secondary English for a decade. Prior to that, I spent a handful of years working as a music educator.
Expressions: What were some of your careers before teaching?
Moss: I started working at thirteen and can’t even remember all of the different jobs I’ve held. The bulk of my work during the years preceding teaching involved music. I was fortunate enough to be in a few bands that toured all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I also worked in clubs as a production manager and booker, ran my own boutique publicity company for bands and labels, and wrote as a freelance music critic for a variety of locally and nationally distributed publications.
Expressions: Have you felt intimidated by any of the teachers here?
Moss: Overall, I’ve felt supported and inspired. That being said, Mr. Simon’s been pretty brutal. He’s cyber bullied me during almost every staff meeting and is now demanding that I fork over my Bitcoin stash, “or else.” He’s also assured me that I’ll need to “watch my back” when we return to campus. That guy’s got some serious anger issues, and at this point, I’m concerned for my safety.
[Expressions fact checked this statement and found it to be “fake news”]
Expressions: Lastly, what do you love about English?
Moss: Language provides a pathway to ourselves and the world. It can deepen our understanding of issues and concepts that are relevant to our own lives, interests, and ideologies and also expose us to differing beliefs, cultures, and experiences. When taught correctly, it is a tool for discovery and change. Writing can be deeply cathartic and offers up countless opportunities for expression, whether it’s creative, persuasive, descriptive, or critical. Ultimately, language is ubiquitous. Using it artfully is beneficial in all facets of life.
