The school has welcomed Andrew Beattie as he takes on roles as a CBI (Community-Based Instruction) resource aide and head JV football coach, replacing former JV head coach Bryan Raisch, who is now the offensive and defensive line coach. During the winter and spring sports seasons, he will also serve as an assistant wrestling coach and an assistant lacrosse coach.
Beattie has experience with the majority of his positions at the school, having previously served as a varsity football offensive coordinator, a wrestling head coach and a CBI school resource aide at San Lorenzo High School.
As a resource aide, Beattie works to ensure that the CBI curriculum, for special education students who need instruction in functional skills and life skills, is up to par with state-wide regulations and that it is well paced. He also ensures that the curriculum is accessible to students with physical disabilities by helping make sure materials are available in braille for blind students or in a visual format for deaf students.
Since his arrival, Beattie has made a number of contributions toward making the core CBI curriculum more applicable to real-life situations, incorporating lessons teaching students how to order off menus or budget their money.
“My goal is to give students the foundation they need for life,” Beattie said.
After school, Beattie can be found on the lower field giving instructions and corrections to his freshman and sophomore players. Beattie began training the JV football team in April where he coached the team through running and conditioning drills and plays. Now, he holds practices every day for 2 hours after school.
When it comes to his multitude of roles, Beattie simply states that he’s willing to do whatever he can in order to give back to the community, whether it’s teaching students or coaching athletes.
Next year, Beattie will complete the second half of his undergraduate degree at Chabot College, and plans to take his California Educator Credentialing Examination (CSET) to attain his teaching credential. He said that being a student resource aide and helping students in general has provided him with invaluable experience toward achieving his goal of becoming a teacher.
“The opportunity to give back to the community is something I value,” he said. “It’s what I love most about being a teacher. Helping to nurture my students into bright and resilient adults is the most rewarding thing about my job.”
