New Teachers at Damien

After a lackluster 2018-2019 season, Damien High School’s historically prestigious football program was in question. One of the many answers to this question, is new head coach from South Hills High School, Matt Bechtel. Being a graduate of Damien in 1992, and being the 2018 Mid Valley Coach of The Year, Bechtel hopes to provide the spark for the preeminent fire that is Damien football. Bechtel being a Damien graduate suggests unrivaled cohesion and unity within this year’s team.

He gave his opinion about the dynamic around campus. “What sets us apart from every other school is that brotherhood...If we don’t have that, we don’t have anything.”

Bechtel also teaches and enjoys three biology classes in his schedule, praising the student atmosphere by saying “They’re respectful, they want to learn.”

Along with Bechtel, new defensive coordinator Rudy Berumen enters his first year at Damien High School. He is also from South Hills, and led a stellar defense to a 14-1 season in 2018. Considering Damien’s noticeable decrease in size relative to last year, Berumen hopes to teach the fundamentals of defense with precision.

We asked Berumen about his time at Damien so far. “It’s been a great experience so far, all of the students have been great, it’s been a lot of fun.” Berumen also teaches 5 social studies classes, with 16 years of teaching experience under his belt.

Damien has also brought in a new water polo coach, Breck Weiny. Weiny has taught and coached for several years at Chaffey Community College, he teaches five periods of English here at Damien. Weiny looks forward to developing the young talent that Damien has, both academically and in regards to aquatics.

He appreciates the engagement that the academic environment in high school has to offer, saying, “the kids here are eager to learn, they’re engaged.”

This is Weiny’s first time coaching or teaching in a catholic environment, but we can be sure he’ll bring expertise and prestige from his college teaching experience in a way that not many other teachers can say they have.

Our newest band director, Jaime Magallon, has joined the Damien faculty from Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Montebello. Magallon teaches five courses at Damien, all pertaining to music. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Whittier College, and an A.A in General Studies from Rio Hondo college. He brings a flare to the classes he teaches, but especially to the schoolwide masses held monthly. Magallon has introduced a drum set to our choir along with some other tweaks, making the music for mass for more distinct and pleasing for everyone involved.

Magallon was asked about his teaching experience so far. “Everyone has been very welcoming and the kids have been great, they’ve been super engaged.”