Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/587184
T E A C H I N G E I T H E R S U R F I N G or ceramics might be accompanied by the title of dude. But Brian Schultz is anything but laid- back when it comes to enthusiasm for teaching. He's been coaching the boys' and girls' surf teams for the past 13 years at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo and teaching fine arts there for 17 years. Since the Capistrano Valley surf team joined the Capistrano Coast League 14 years ago, the girls have won eight league championships. The boys have won four over the past 13 years. The school has qualified for the Scholastic Surf Series State Finals for the past 12 years and has won the boys' long board division four times and the girls' short board competition twice. "The overall championship has eluded us for the past 10 years. We have been runner-up six times, but this might be our year," says Schultz optimistically. Teaching surfing is a big responsibility, covering one to two miles of beach with 30 to 35 kids in the water, says the Capistrano Unified Education Association member. There's also fundraising to support the sport. A native of Orange County, Schultz says surfing has always been a part of his life. He never went pro, but jumped at the opportunity to replace a retiring surfing coach while continuing to teach ceramics. He finds both jobs joyful and creative. "I was told once to find a job you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life. And that's the way I feel about teaching students to surf and create artwork. I absolutely love what I do." B R I N G I N G F I R E A R M S O N C A M P U S is outlawed in most schools, but it's no cause for alarm at Lassen Community College. In fact, the school's gunsmithing class in rural Susanville is a bit like "Duck Dynasty." There are guns everywhere, being worked on by men with beards, caps and suspenders. Established in 1945, the Lassen program is the oldest gunsmithing school in the U.S. It offers associate in science degrees in firearms repair and general gunsmithing, as well as certificates of accomplishment in pistolsmith, riflesmith, long guns, and gunsmith machinist and metal finishing. The school has a two-year program and also offers one- to two-week short summer courses in basic machine shop, barreling, law enforcement armory and more. The instructors are Lassen College Faculty Association members John Martin and Buck Bauer (his real name). Some students in the class reverently refer to the duo as "gun gods." Students, mostly men, range from new high school graduates to veterans, retirees looking for a second career, and hobbyists. Police officers from across the country sign up for short courses. There is a waiting list of 200 to enter the two-year program, which accepts 22 new students a year and is extremely rigorous. All students have to supply their own firearms — which can include antiques. They are not supposed to bring ammunition to class. To test the weapons, blanks are fired into a special cylinder. Andrew Mason enrolled in the program because he enjoyed repairing pistols, machine guns and sniper rifles when he served in the U.S. Marines. "I loved it and wanted to make a career out of it, so here I am," he says. Bauer grew up in a hunting family and entered shooting competitions at a young age. He graduated from the gunsmithing program in 2006. Last year he became a full- time instructor. "It's a great program," he says. "It takes a lot of patience and a lot of practice. Most of the class is hands-on. We look at how well the gun works, whether it looks good, and whether it's up to industry standards. We're the best program in the country, and we want to keep it that way." Instructor Buck Bauer, left, with Samuel Kemp in the machine shop. Far left: Brian Schultz shows his form; left: the surf teams at Capistrano Valley High School; right: Schultz. SURFING / CERAMICS GUNSMITHING Surfing photos courtesy Brian Schultz 23 V O LU M E 2 0 I S S U E 3