The school year of 2024-2025 at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) is underway, as new students and staff alike join the campus grounds. Among the incoming staff are five new teachers versed in a variety of subjects: Bridgétte “Jett” Clyne, Edward Gillet, Jackson Hall, Jason McDuffee and Andres Viera Torres.

Bridgétte “Jett” Clyne

Bridgétte Clyne, a new Spanish teacher joining Foothill Technology, teaches Spanish 1, Spanish 4 AP and Spanish 4 Native Speakers. She comes from Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) with a master’s in education and biological sciences, previously teaching both high school and college. Clyne’s motivation to be a teacher came from a professor in college who thought she should consider pursuing that path. 

Clyne expressed that she wants her students to gain the understanding that “connection is important before content,” and tries to connect with her students by learning about them before diving right into the curriculum. She also wants each student to know they have a voice and they are being heard and valued. Clyne says her experience at Foothill Tech has been very positive, adding that the drive is a lot shorter than the drive she used to have to make to Santa Barbara.

Edward Gillet

Edward Gillet is one of the new English teachers joining Foothill Tech, where he facilitates Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and College Prep English for freshmen and juniors. Gillet has a strong educational background from the east to west coast. He originally graduated from the University of Florida (UF), then pursued philosophy as a graduate at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He served as a middle school teacher in New Orleans and a high school teacher at East Lake High School in San Diego.  

Aside from extensive experience as both a teacher and a student himself, Gillet has a love of adventure and sailing. He spent five years sailing in the waters of Central America and Mexico before settling in Ventura and becoming a teacher at Foothill Tech. Despite his adventurous nature, Gillet has a passion in the classroom. “It’s a love of learning that makes me want to be a teacher,” he said. His goal for students is to “read deeply and understand how literature holds up a mirror to our nature.”

Jackson Hall

We welcome the most recent teacher to join the Foothill Tech family, Jackson Hall. This year Hall teaches United States (US) History, American Democracy, Economics and World History. Hall grew up in Ventura County and went to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) to pursue his teaching credentials. He has been a teacher for eight years. He first started teaching at Oak View High School for five years and then spent the last two years at Carpinteria High school.

Hall says he was motivated to become a teacher because “[his] parents are teachers, so lots of [his] adult role models were teachers growing up.” He adds that not only were his parents teachers, but his best friend’s dad was as well.  He grew up with a lot of inspiration from those people in his life. Hall’s biggest goal for his class is for students to have fun and enjoy their time in class, he also hopes that they learn a little history on the way. Hall chose Foothill Tech because “it is known for being an awesome school” and it’s not too far from where he lives. 

Jason McDuffee

Jason McDuffee is one of two new special education teachers, co-teaching with Jackson Hall on US History and American Democracy, while teaching English for freshmen and sophomores as well as Study Skills. He has a background in psychology, where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree. McDuffee also worked for 12 years on applied behavioral analysis intensive therapy for kids with autism.

Outside of his knowledge in psychology, McDuffee taught a woodshop class for seven years. He then received teaching credentials before arriving at Foothill Tech, where it will be his fourth year teaching. He hopes that he can teach students to not make the same mistakes that he did, and to be a positive presence in the world. “Be good people,” McDuffee said, “go out in the world and just positively interact.”

Andres Viera Torres

Viera Torres is one of the newest additions to Foothill Tech High School. He went to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where he got his teaching credentials, and is now teaching Spanish 2 and Spanish 3. When teaching students, Viera Torres is motivated to teach his students to have a better understanding of the language and be able to have a conversation with someone who is fluent in Spanish. He tells us “Foothill [Tech] has been great, I love the students, they are amazing.” He is excited to be a teacher here and have a great year. Students should welcome this new amazing edition to Foothill Tech.

Although having new teachers can be scary at first, all five teachers are impressed by the community at Foothill Tech and are eager to become a part of the school. With a variety of subjects, expertise and backgrounds, Brigétte “Jett” Clyne, Edward Gillet, Jackson Hall, Jason McDuffee and Andres Viera Torres will be a great addition to the staff at Foothill Tech.