Everyday, teachers go above and beyond to provide the best education and experiences to their students. Every faculty member at Ojai Valley School is truly amazing. Here are a few of their stories…
OVS art teacher Chia Hersk is a force to be reckoned with.
Her classroom is the heart of campus for those she teaches. All of her students can agree that she is one of the most caring teachers who always looks out for her students.
Sydnee Rousseau, a senior in her class, always looks forward to her time in the art room.
“My favorite thing about Ms. Hersk is her energy,” said Sydnee. “Everything about the class is fun, and she always has a positive aura about her when you walk into the classroom that makes every day better.”
As an advisor, she pays special attention to the needs of her advisees, and Senior Adam Pepper-Macias, is grateful to be a part of her advisory.
“Mrs. Hersk fights for her advisees, and I always know she has my best interests in mind and will support me,” he explained.
On top of her outstanding job in the art department, Ms. Hersk also organizes some of OVS’s most prized events. She maintains the fun atmosphere of campus through her baby-photo contests, team competitions, and beloved her dog, Noni. She is the mastermind behind our esteemed proms, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that prom can continue even in the midst of this pandemic.
Ms. Hersk is a pillar of our community as she takes initiative in organizing social events, and she leads her classes with a confidence and kindness that inspires creativity within her students.
Written by Jocelyn Gonzalez
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It is an understatement to say that Fred Alvarez goes above and beyond.
The class of 2021 has raked in 119 college acceptances, and It wouldn’t have been possible without Mr. Alvarez. Every year, seniors craft 650 word essays and various supplementals to express their identity, passions, and personality to a college reader in hopes of being accepted. It is no easy task, but it is an extremely important one, and for the past two years Mr. Alvarez has taken on an even more challenging job. On top of helping seniors edit and create the perfect essays, writing personalized letters of recommendation for every single student, and sending numerous transcripts and documents to schools, Fred Alvarez helps students discover and commit to the colleges that are truly the right fit for them.
“Having him as a college counselor is one of the best things one could imagine. He gets to know each and every senior very well and can then specifically pick out colleges for each one’s interests,” said senior Meline Ellwanger. “He has helped me a lot with my college decision and got me right into my top college.”
Alvarez helps students find the school that will set them up for success and appeal to all of their interests. Part of his incredible ability to do this stems from the fact that he teaches nearly every student their freshman year.
Part of the reason Alvarez is such a great college counselor is because he gets to know all of the freshmen,” explained senior Adam Pepper-Macias. “He is able to watch them grow throughout high school and then writes incredibly amazing letters of recommendation.”
While many college counselors pressure students to apply and commit to Ivy League Schools solely for the ability to print it in big fonts on the cover of the school’s magazine, Mr. Alvarez stresses the importance of fit rather than acceptance rate.
On a personal note, Mr. Alvarez’s advice and counseling helped me make the decision to commit to a university that will suit me nearly perfectly rather than the college I was originally drawn to due to its miniscule acceptance rate, and for this I am so thankful.
Many students can relate to being frequently overwhelmed with the singular task of being a highschool student, and looking at Mr. Alvarez and his numerous tasks, responsibilities, and hobbies reminds us that with a good work ethic, no amount of endeavours are too large.
“Alvarez deserves more credit for the lengths he’s gone for our class.“I could not have done the college process without him, and I don’t even know how he’s able to balance all of the individual seniors with his classes, cross-country and other hobbies,” said senior Mark Pindur. “He’s an inspiration and a hero.”
As a group, the class of 2021 has no hesitation in declaring that Mr. Alvarez has impacted each of our lives immensely for the better. As a school, OVS faculty and students alike can agree that he is an asset to the community we know and love. And as an individual, I could go on and on explaining how Fred Alvarez is an astounding college counsellor, phenomenal cross country coach, top notch journalist, exceptional teacher, and above all; an extraordinary person.
Written by Bella Slosberg
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Ojai Valley School’s resident TikTok queen and the leader in the push to normalize Oxford commas, 10th Grade English teacher Brittany Whipple is a stellar teacher and individual who creates an environment where students aren’t afraid to be themselves and share their thoughts.
Ms. Whipple is a passionate teacher, and it shows in the classroom and beyond. The effort she puts in to creating a fun environment and an engaging curriculum is clear, and students frequently express their love for her class.
English is one of sophomore Logan Wallace’s favorite classes, and he enjoys the environment that she creates in her classroom.
“She makes a class where I feel like I can be myself,” he said. “I really look forward to her class and how dynamic and great it is.”
She creates a fun and fulfilling environment where students want to give their all with every single assignment, which is not an easy task. On top of this, Ms. Whipple goes out of her way to help students in any grade level with projects that they are passionate about. One example is with Adam Pepper- Macias and his Shakespeare Project.
“I am very lucky to have the help of Ms. Whipple with my Shakespeare in 5 Acts,” explained Adam. “The youthful jubilance that she brings is truly illuminating and brings Shakespeare to life.”
Along with being a fantastic teacher, Ms. Whipple is also a fantastic person who everyone wants to be around. She is a funny and understanding individual that people can relate to and connect with.
“Ms. Whipple is one of the few teachers you can truly have as both a teacher and a friend,” said sophomore Emanuel Zagata-Jacobson. “She also seems to understand what our workload is like in high school.”
Having a teacher who understands you as a student and the amounts of stress that can come from the tasks of high school is really comforting, and Ms. Whipple does that better than anyone, she makes you feel like she knows what you are going through.
Sophomore India Getty-Pruss agrees with Logan and Emanuel entirely: “Because of her sense of humor, she is a really easy perso
n to talk to, and she makes class really fun.”
It is clear that Ms. Whipple has had a big impact on many students, and even though I have only been in her class for a short time, she has had a big impact on me as well. From my first day, she was welcoming and I felt comfortable in her class. I truly look forward to her class, as it always brightens my day. She makes every student in the room feel at home and noticed.
Ms. Whipple, on behalf of OVS as a whole, I would like to say thank you for everything you have done for the school and us students. You are an incredible person and Ojai Valley School is incredibly lucky to have you.
Written by Eugene Fisher
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My first day of Freshman year started in the classroom of english teacher Brad Weidlich. Lo Fi beats echoed as I took up my chilled seat in the cramped room 10. I looked down to see the stack of papers and outlines laid out in front of me. My first thought was, this is going to be a class of uninterested freshman and busy work. Oh how was I wrong.
As we took up reading A Raisin In The Sun, Mr.Weidlich entrapped us with his passion. Eyes glued to him as he preached lessons about how much literature has to offer. I watched him recite passages from Romeo and Juliet, pushing me to laughter and doing a brilliant job tugging at our heart strings, and for the first time bringing me to appreciate the genius of Shakespeare.
I am not the only student that Mr.Weidlich has impacted.
“I love how passionate he is about his class,” said Senior Meline Ellwanger. “English is my second language but he has helped me understand it in a way that can only be taught through absolute dedication.”
Every student who is or has been a freshman at Ojai Valley School has taken and experienced Mr.Weidlich’s one of a kind english class.
“I was in his class four years ago and to this day he influenced the way I write and how I take on organization,” said Senior Sydnee Roussou.
That stack of papers went from dreaded busy work to a tool able to properly structure anyones academic endeavors.
In and out of the classroom, Mr.Weidlich is a respected and cherished member of the community. From teaching, to outdoor adventures, to sports teams; Mr.Weidlich is able to connect with students on a personal level.
We all appreciate and love you Mr.Weidlich. Thank you for all your contribution to this community.
Written by Hannah Little
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From reserved librarian to one of the most bad-ass campers at OVS. That’s my impression of Upper Campus librarian Devyn Reynolds.
She came to OVS in 2018, and that was also my first year at the school. Since that time I have been able to watch Ms. Reynolds grow into one of the most inspiring people I know.
I remember her at first being very reserved and quiet, setting up her little office in the library. She didn’t talk much and usually just stayed in the library to help students to find the books they needed.
In March of 2019 she was suddenly thrown into her first-ever camping trip, that being the Honors backpacking trip to Utah. She had never camped before and therefore didn’t have any experience.
I was in the group at Slickhorn Canyon which she was also a part of with Outdoor Education coordinator Zach Byars. I was able to watch her grow throughout the trip, trying new things and getting more brave and comfortable in the outdoors.
She was always there when someone needed help and was always ready to try new things like climbing or learning how to tie different knots.
“What inspires me most about Ms. Reynolds is her willingness and enthusiasm to try anything and her persistence and grit to overcome things that challenge her,” Mr. Byars said.
After this trip I noticed how she started to bloom.
She interacted with students more and put herself out there. She started going on several more camping trips and even went on some of her own.
Today she basically always volunteers to go on different camping trips and I have had the privilege to go on many with her and watch her from her very first camping trip, to now being very experienced and skilled in the outdoor environment. 
In the library she is always ready to help you with anything you need, even your english papers. She brings up important matters like Black History month and always decorates the library fitting to important events that are happening around the world.
She always puts books in focus that deal with current events and issues and uses her voice to speak up for people.
Thank you for all you do for OVS Ms. Reynolds
Written by Meline Ellwanger
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