By Jennifer Zeng, Staff Writer
With a variety of outside interests, including being a professional musician, earning an advanced belt in karate, and being fluent in several languages, returning Chemistry & Physics teacher Mr. Barrios is a unique and energetic individual both inside and outside the classroom.
Receiving a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis, his hidden talents include playing the trombone in the horn section and performing in various bands. Back in the early 2000s up till the pandemic in around 2018, he played in an orchestra, as well as salsa, jazz-rock, mass, and jam bands.
In addition to his multiple musical talents, Mr. Barrios is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and even a bit of Russian, which is a testament to his dedication to breaking barriers and connecting with diverse groups of students. He learned to speak Spanish due to the fact that his mother spoke Spanish to him growing up. Later realizing that it wouldn’t hurt to learn another language, he took Russian in college, but believes he is only at an elementary level.
Even within education, Mr. Barrios is not just limited to a classroom teacher but also plays a pivotal role in managing science programs across the district, having even contributed to the creation of science textbooks used by students. He’s not just an educator, but a coaching teacher who actively engages in the process of shaping young minds.
His inspiration to become a teacher, however, was back in his high school days when he found himself struggling and wished his teachers would notice the dynamic.
Mr. Barrios said that the best part of being a teacher is when he gets to work with his students saying, “It’s like the energy of young people, and the outlook on life they have when you’re an adult and you’re all jaded.”
