A Message from the President of the Hart District Teachers Association John Minkus

Hello and good day to all from the Hart District Teachers Association (HDTA). I first want to again thank the Santa Clarita Magazine for including HDTA in this popular SCV publication. If you saw the last column, you know that HDTA is the organization that provides support to all those certificated Hart District employees (teachers et al.) with our focus on creating the best environment for teaching and learning throughout our school district. Although we are over a thousand strong and a part of the daily lives of our almost 22,000 strong student population, HDTA members generally fly beneath the radar. As such, we set a goal to increase our visible presence and share what it means to be a teacher in the William S Hart Union High School District.
Educators are often difficult to spot. We don’t often present ourselves publically as teachers, frontline workers, or HDTA members, but we are an integral part of the Santa Clarita Community. You may have seen us in our gray t-shirts or black sweatshirts on a visit to a school campus or maybe at the mall, a restaurant, or at the local grocery store.
Having been a school teacher for over 30 years, I have discovered one interesting social element connected to our profession. Somehow, students are often under the impression that teachers are quite possibly alien transplants who do not exist in a life form outside of our daily interactions with schools and students. In fact, we are a vibrant group of Creative and Caring (extra)ordinary everyday Joes. And here in the Hart District, unique amongst large school districts, approximately 900 of our 1100 plus HDTA members are residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. In addition to our jobs with Hart, HDTA members are extremely active in the local goings on. From coaches to committees, cheerleaders to churches, the teachers of our valley are actively tied to the fabric of our community.
Anecdotally, I would like to share some of my own experiences to help paint a picture of the personal ties that have helped guide the continued success of the Hart District. One warm fall weekend at Placerita I found myself coaching my daughter in an AYSO game when I looked up to see now Assistant Superintendent Collyn Nielsen blowing his referee’s whistle to begin the game. Assistant Superintendent Kathy Hunter was my classroom neighbor at Valencia High for many years where our own children grew up, attended, and later graduated. When our sons played in a baseball tournament together, Deputy Superintendent Mike Vierra and I spent that weekend on the Central Coast highlighted by a father/son Wiffle ball tournament at Avila Beach. These are just a few examples of such stories which abound across our district.
Above and beyond, we are all teachers, parents, and leaders in our community. We have an inextricable bond that comes from working together as One Hart, to provide the best in teaching and learning working toward our common goal of, “Every Student Opportunity Ready.”
We are here, we are there, we are everywhere. We are HDTA