“ Giving back to UCSD , and to people who want to enter education is something that is very important to me , because that ’ s exactly what put me on this path and inspired me to disrupt the system .”
— JASON BABINEAU ’ 07
KEYS TO CONNECTION
Jason Babineau ’ 07 learned a lot going from Muir College to becoming a high school principal , but his views center on just three basic things he ' s found students need from adults :
01 . RESPECT : “ Students want to know they are valued and appreciated for who they are . Every student is different , and their individuality needs respect by honoring their personal journey . A student ’ s voice needs to be heard — just listening to our students often opens doors that many adults are searching to unlock .”
02 . LOVE : “ Love looks different in every classroom , but students know when adults care about them as students AND as people . Students who feel loved take the risk to leave their comfort zone , to challenge themselves and open up to others .”
03 . HIGH EXPECTATIONS : “ When students feel respected and loved , that support helps them rise to the level of expectations we set for them . Students want people to believe they can achieve . They want to know adults believe they can accomplish greatness . High expectations creates the drive to achieve more than they ever thought possible .”
trajectory of not only students , but the communities they will come to inherit . His vision is one of equity , a system in which kids at schools like his — where 90 percent of the student body lives below the poverty line — have the same opportunities as kids in other areas . “ If we foster educators who have an equity lens , we can change the way people look at education ,” he says . “ When we have leaders who are advocates for equity , who go out to legislators and school boards and show them data about the needs of our communities , that ’ s how we can help change the system and change the opportunities available to our students .”
In his first year at Hoover , Babineau has implemented a wall-to-wall model for the school ’ s five small , career-focused learning academies , meaning every student is engaged in either Health ; Information Technology ; Building and Engineering ; Social Justice ; or Literature , Media & Arts . The structure gives students opportunity for hands-on experience in fields that interest them and promotes a sense of support and belonging within their cohorts . Babineau is also raising expectations for students with access to higher-level courses , including dual-enrollment programs and AP courses . And on the other side , he ’ s partnering with neighboring elementary and middle schools to prepare students as young as kindergarteners , and is teaming up with parents to make sure students have the support systems outside of class .
He hasn ’ t forgotten his alma mater either — Babineau also brings in undergraduate UC San Diego interns to teach math , in partnership with Erica Heinzman , M . Ed ’ 03 , professor of education studies . “ Giving back to UCSD and giving back to Tritons and to people who want to enter education is something that is very important to me , because that was exactly what put me on this path and inspired me to disrupt the system .”
No day is like any other at Hoover High School , he says , but one thing is : every lunch period spent hanging out with his students . “ It ’ s my favorite part of the day ,” he says as the cafeteria fills . “ To see all of our students together , interacting in a positive way , building relationships — it ’ s important to me . I was worried I ’ d miss that interaction when I left the classroom , but I still try to see as many kids as I can . And though it may be brief , it means a lot . A smile and a handshake can go a long way in life .”
Learn more about the impact of UC San Diego alumni educators at tritonmag . com / education
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