Some teachers in the San Diego Unified School District spent part of the weekend preparing their classrooms for the first day of school.

Their work, this fall, includes academics and for many of them a reinforced message of safety for their students and their families.

“I feel what’s happening with ICE is an injustice to our kids, to our families, and to the Latin people. Because, that’s who it’s happening to,” said Tania Cordero, a sixth grade math teacher at Millennial Tech Middle School in Chollas View. “It’s unfair and unjust.”

I feel what’s happening with ICE is an injustice to our kids, to our families, and to the Latin people. Because that’s who it’s happening to. It’s unfair and unjust.

Tania Cordero, sixth grade math teacher at Millennial Tech Middle School

“My teaching career began with COVID,” said Andrew Rodriguez. He is the music teacher at Bell Middle School in Paradise Hills. “I feel at home serving students that represent where I came from. Also, I understand where they’re coming from.”  

Sunday morning, he was in the large music room on campus tuning a violin and then trying out his trumpet with a verse of the “Star Spangled Banner”. Rodriguez is prepared for up to 200 students in band and orchestra classes this school year. He wants music and the instruments to present a challenge and offer comfort to children already facing difficult social situations at the moment.

“Being outside in immediate danger is a reality. Another reality is things they are confronted with scrolling online and interacting with people who are cyber bulling,” Rodriguez said.

Andrew Rodriguez instructs students at Bell Middle School in playing violin and other instruments. He grew up in South San Diego and is committed to supporting children from marginalized communities in their music education, Paradise Hills, CA, August 10, 2025

On the other side of campus, Kimberly Carpender worked in her classroom, Sunday. She has prepared lessons for remedial reading. As a teacher of students with mild to moderate special needs, she creates safety for them by building self confidence, no matter their abilities.

Carpender said, “absolute proof of success builds self confidence and self esteem. You get confidence and esteem from knowing what you’ve accomplished.” Victories are celebrated every day.

Remedial reading strategies are the focus of learning in Kimberly Carpender’s classroom at Bell Middle School. She is a teacher of children with mild to moderate special needs, August 10, 2025.

Sarah Hillard is another long time teacher at Millennial Tech Middle School. “Again, this year I have drones. Some of my kids are returning from last year,” she said. During her time at MTM, Hillard has built a drone dynasty of students who otherwise would not have had access to the growing technology.

This year she will keep her students in drone competitions, while also teaching classes in 3D printing, robotics, and underwater drone design.

Her safe space is a learning environment with continuous new opportunities.

“You worry about their families, their health and well being,” Hillard said. “I just want to make sure everybody is living the best life possible.” 

Her colleague Tania Cordero agreed. “Nobody (unauthorized or hiding their identity) is going to come into my classroom or this school if I can help it. This is their safe space,” she said.

Sarah Hillard has been a teacher for twenty years. Sunday, she prepared her classroom that includes robotics and 3D printers at Millennial Tech Middle School, August 10, 2025.

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