All that is in the world is change. It’s scary, but change is good. Change allows the people who see it to become a part of it, opening their eyes to new experiences. With a wealth of experience in law enforcement and the military, Daniel Fernandez (F) brings a unique and valuable perspective to the classroom that promises to enrich the learning experience for students interested in the criminal justice field. Knowing that all too well, LCHS welcomes Mr. Fernandez with open arms.
Mr. Fernandez has a long story. Though his story starts in El Paso, Texas, he was held up in sunny Orange County, California. With family in the force themselves, it’s evident to see how his journey progresses.
“After graduating high school, I joined the United States Marine Corps reserves, where I spent 12 years there and in the Air National Guard. After a 13-year break, I reenlisted in the Air National Guard, where I currently serve. I spent 24 years with the Phoenix Police Department, where I retired as a Detective and was a Special Agent with the state of Arizona investigating insurance fraud for four years, until making the decision to move to beautiful East Tennessee. My two older brothers were also in law enforcement, and when I was 18, I rode along with one of them and immediately knew that I wanted to be a police officer,” Mr. Fernandez said.
Students who go into criminal justice typically understand the intensity of a lot of jobs in the field. However, Fernandez recognizes that it’s not just the work you do, but the buildup to the work and how his students will perceive themselves is also vital.
“Although the hands-on lessons like handcuffing, high-risk stops, and building searches are fun and interesting, I believe the life lessons learned from learning investigations, interviewing, and public speaking are skills that the students can utilize for the rest of their lives, whether they enter a criminal justice career or not. It is my goal to teach each of my students to be confident and proud of who each of them are,” Mr. Fernandez said.
Fernandez has noted that he felt accepted by LCHS and felt lucky to be included. What truly helps is how informative and how he tries to connect students to a pleasant teaching style.
“I began my first day by having each student express their why. Why did they take the class and have them explain that to me. I explained to the class that even though some of them had no real interest in Criminal Justice, it is important for all of us to understand the laws and how they can affect us. I also want them to have an understanding of the criminal justice system so that if they do see something on the news or on social media, they have an opportunity to explain to someone else why the situation occurred or how it could have been prevented…As a first-year teacher, I am really trying to figure that out. But I can say that my goal is to make sure that every student that I come in contact with feels welcomed and knows that they will have an opportunity to learn in a way that best fits them,” Mr. Fernandez said.
As it seems ahead, Mr. Fernandez remains eager to continue building relationships with his students and share his extensive knowledge. With his extensive background and passion for teaching, Daniel Fernandez is sure to be a tremendous asset to the school’s community, being a positive influence on the future generations of criminal justice professionals. If one thing should be kept in mind as the year continues, the students are in fine hands.
