Mr. F(inkbeiner)

His friendly, bearded face lights up the hallways wherever he goes; Mr. F has been a constant in the special education department for the past 10 years at Coronado, working in education for the past 15.

During his time here, Mr. F especially enjoyed working with the special education and physical education departments. He felt that the staff members who had the most influence on him were Trevor Peterson, Paula Greco, Coach Liz [Bobby Lizarraga], and Brent Urban. Mr. F added that he enjoyed “working with the entire staff at Coronado. It has been a very good work environment…stable, comfortable, and caring.” Mr. F commented that the “rock solid” stability has been a part of Coronado that he has always appreciated, but that the COVID learning years were “very tough working with Special Education students.”

While many people may get caught up in the destination, Mr. F seemed to find joy in the journey of the “daily experience…working in the amazing SPED department, specifically with Trevor Peterson, the selfless paraprofessionals, and Laurie Hayes.” A big part of Mr. F’s job was working with the special education students in their P.E. classes, and he loved seeing the daily support of the P.E. department with the SPED students. A lover of sports, Mr. F also drove the activity busses frequently for various sports teams, especially enjoying driving the athletes for “Philipsen, Urban, Lovato, Gutowski, Bernbeck, and Porter.” He additionally recognized the Coronado administration team as “best in the district” and “one [he will] always remember.”

As he finishes his career, he had one bit of advice for students and new staff members: “Be passionate about education every single day. The students and staff will notice this, and it becomes contagious. Your school becomes a very caring environment, and everyone benefits.”

We wish Mr. F the best next year as he starts his first fall in 15 years with endless possibilities!