The James Logan Courier

By Debbie Ly, Courier Staff Writer

Having worked at James Logan for the past thirty‑one years, teacher Victoria Medina is almost ready to retire. As an all‑around English teacher, teaching English One, American Literature, and Honors American Literature, Medina plans to retire in June.

Medina has been a part of Logan in one way or another her entire career. She first began her experiences by student teaching at Logan, then substituting for three years, and finally becoming a full‑time instructor in the 1977‑1978 school year, working at Logan until present day.
When asked about how Logan has changed her, Medina replied, “I don’t think you can spend thirty‑one years at one job location and not be impacted by it. The Logan community has made me the teacher I am today. It has given me wonderful friends and experiences that I will carry in my heart forever.”

Not only has Logan made an impact on her, but Medina has affected her students as well.

“Ms. Medina was a tough critic when it came to grading essays, but her challenges only helped me become a better writer,” said senior Shirley Cheung.

After retirement, Medina plans to everything and nothing, which will “definitely be a luxury”. She plans to travel and visit America’s beautiful landmarks, read all the books that she doesn’t have time to read now, and watch as many hockey games as possible, or otherwise do absolutely nothing if she desires. In her spare time, Medina loves to read and garden.

It is also quite obvious that she will dearly miss the Logan community. “I’ll miss seeing my colleagues and dearest friends each day and my usual contact with students. I knew I wanted to be a teacher in second grade, so it has been a part of me almost forever. The joys of teaching have kept me here and I will certainly have to learn to live without this each day.”

However, the only thing she will not miss about her occupation is grading essays, the topic of which she calls “the curse of teaching English”.