D.N.: What's your name?
S.P.: Skye Cooke Pinon.
D.N.: We are doing a project about our society and cultural diversity in city heights and would love to ask you some questions.
S.P.: Go for it.
D.N.: So how does City Heights fit into your life story?
S.P.: Well, I'm a teacher at Crawford HS which is in City Heights. And I first started working here in 2008 when I first moved to San Diego. Even though I had been a teacher for almost 10 years at that time, I had never been at a school like Crawford, with great diversity, different languages [and] cultures, students from all over the world. And as I got to know Crawford, I got to know City Heights. And realized that this is a place that's really unique and really special and I felt such a great honor that I was able to be here working with the students in my New Arrival Program. So for me, it's kind of the place I was always meant to be, before I was here.
D.N.: So how do you feel working with different people in City Heights? Do you feel scared or do you just feel like you're home working with the students?
S.P.: I feel like this is the place that is the perfect mix for me, so that I could do my job as a teacher but I'm also learning so much from my students. I don't ever feel scared to be here. In fact it's quite the opposite, I feel somewhat protected a lot of times. Because I've had times where students actually stood up for me or supported me in some way or came back and said thank you. So I feel like this is really a home for me. It's not…it's familiar and comfortable and it's deliberate for me.
D.N.: If someone asks you to move to another school, would you prefer to move to another school or would you prefer to stay at this school?
S.P.: I actually was, at one point, moved from Crawford to another school and I fought hard to get back to Crawford because I enjoy working with the community of City Heights so much and at this point in time there are some changes that might be happening in my program or at the school, but I'm working really hard and trying my best to make sure I can stay here because I feel like this is the place I could do the best work and where I can learn as well.
D.N.: Thank you for all your information.
S.P.: You're welcome.