If you are a faculty alumni of Cupertino High School and would want to become involved in establishing a database for all CHS faculty alumni members, contact us and we will work with you on this very worthwhile endeavor.

Click on to the time period you would like to examine in more detail:

1958 to 1961-2 This was the faculty when CHS first opened it's doors. Teachers like Dennis Friend, Celia Ybara, Dave Pitman, Dink Booth, Pauline Tedesco, Charlie Morrill, Dorothy Allen and Ron Useldinger joined ranks with administrators like George Fernandez and Dale DeSelms to get CHS off to a great start.

1962-3 to 1967-8 These were teachers who survived the high standards required to be a teacher at CHS and a wave of young blood instructors who added enthusiasm and expertise. Faculty members such as Sal Immitt, Linda Ross, John Pence, Fran Coleman, Paul Ferdinandson, Gail Aparton and Buck Shore spread knowledge as well as character as teachers, coaches and advisors.

1968-9 to 1971-2 A huge influx of new teachers now joined CHS at this time. Steve Barnett, Tim Cuneo, Gail Jessen were joined by other young teachers like Gene Longinetti, Ethel Kopal, Mary Lee Schoendorf and Mike Rosenbrock. This led to exciting and innovating things happening in and out of the classroom.

1973-74 to 1978-9 As you look at this roster you’ll notice the large majority of teachers who stayed all through this time period at CHS. One reason I think was that it was so much fun teaching the students of that time. We also enjoyed each others company at school too. “Professional Growth Sessions”, better known as PGS’s, were faculty get-togethers after school that many enjoyed too.

1980-81 to 1984-5 This was a difficult time for the teachers of CHS. The District because of declining student enrollment instituted a “Reduction in Force” policy of letting go of teachers with the least seniority. Tom Dooley, Mike Quinn, Ed Brakenbury and Billie Spence had to leave the District. Tom Clarke and Chris Kenison were transferred to Fremont High. Those left were afraid CHS itself was going to close. Through it all we became even closer as “A Family”.

1985-86 to 1990-91 A whole new focus educationally came with the arrival of Barbara Nunes as Principal in 1887. As a result in 1990 we became a “ California Distinguished School ”. We subdivided in groups and brainstormed about academics. The school had very successful “Career”& “International” Days…SSR or Silent Sustained Reading became a part of Tutorial Classes. The Hall of Fame tied students to CHS alumni they could admire and perhaps emulate. A strong, dedicated faculty now set its sights on even higher academic goals and extra curricular goals.

1991-92 to 1996-97 This was a very tense time between the District and the FEA over contract differences. Informational picket lines, wearing red or black on certain days were part of a regular working days routine. Still CHS rose to the nationally elite status of a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The entire CHS teaching staff was collectively named FUSD Teacher of the Year in recognition of this award. A strike by FUHSD teachers was averted when CHS teacher Marty Mathiesen and former CHS teacher and coach Keith Booth devised a percentage formula whereby a certain percentage of all District Funds would always be reserved for teacher salaries. Fortunately this cohesive formula that is still being honored by both parties.

1997-98 to 2002-3 Now the teachers and the District joined forces to successfully pass a multi-million dollar bond measure. Many teachers spent hours phoning voters. The end result was the complete make-over of every school in the district. Few of those teachers still remain at CHS. But before they retired they left a wonderful legacy both materially and spiritually for the young teachers that took their places. Now this new generation of teachers must themselves deal with many cutbacks to extra curricular programs they are anxious to become involved in. This is where we hope CHSAAA will step in monetarily. No alumni organization in a public high school has ever got grass root support to provide aid of this sort to its alma mater. If we do succeed it will truly rank as one of Cupertino High School ’s Finest Hours.