Teacher of the Year: Darren Buckey
Subject: Transitions and Learning Center Coach
GPS Focus: GROWTH, PRIDE, & SERVICE
What Makes Darren Buckey #BulldogSTRONG: For most of Darren Buckey’s life, he has followed one simple motto: entertain and improve the life of others with his larger than life personality. As a young adolescent at Norris Middle School, Buckey portrayed Robert Frost as he delivered the author’s iconic poem The Road Not Taken and through this presentation, he found joy in the performance arts. Oh yeah, he was also 6”3 as an 8th grader, so naturally, Buckey took to basketball when he entered high school as he was the starting center for the North High School Stars as his size and length was simply something that could not be coached and taught.
However, Buckey’s impact at North High would not be in basketball as his love of improving the quality of life in others through performance and entertainment was his top priority. With that desire, Buckey enrolled in Drama courses, starring in numerous plays including the role of El Gallo in the Stars production of The Fantasticks. However, his most memorable role, while at North came during his senior year in which he was selected to play Lenny from the John Steinbeck classic Of Mice and Men. Not only was Buckey selected to the role of Lenny because of his height (6”7), but because of the raw emotion he was able to convey on the stage. Additionally, in the classroom and on campus, Buckey continued to entertain people and make them laugh as he was selected as the Class of 1993 Class Clown.
After graduating from North in 1993, Buckey attended the University of California, Santa Barbara on a UC regents scholarship with intentions of majoring in engineering. While in college, Buckey continued his passion for entertainment as he and some dorm mates started a rock band that was inspired by the grunge music of the 1990s: Nirvana, Sound Garden, Rage Against the Machine, and “Weird” Al Yankovic. As Buckey traversed through college, the engineering direction did not mesh with who he was as a person as he switched to philosophy then to political science with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. However, this would change as well. “The direction of my life bounced around a lot when I was in college,” remembers Buckey, “I realized that my personality did not fit that of a lawyer, but I knew I wanted to help people out.”
After graduating from UCSB, Buckey was still committed to his band, but took to substitute teaching in order to earn some additional money. While in the classroom, Buckey fell in love with the profession, seeing it as another opportunity to perform, this time for students. As a result of his time with students, Buckey pursued his teaching credential. In particular, Buckey was drawn to students that had come from difficult backgrounds. “My personality connected with students that had strong personalities and behaviors,” indicates Buckey, “The classroom was my opportunity to bring a smile to their face and let them know that someone cared for them.” Buckey spent fourteen years of his teaching career working at alternative school sites: Cooper Opportunity High School in San Pedro, Valley Community High School in Delano, and Constellation High School in the Kern High School District. In 2014, Buckey desired to be at a comprehensive high school and thus, he joined the Golden Valley High School staff, where his humor, entertaining personality, and presence has been much appreciated by staff, students, and parents.
As a Bulldog, Buckey tries to infuse humor and real life scenarios to his students. “Whenever I teach, I ask myself, ‘What would I enjoy as a student?’”comments Buckey, “Engaging my students through fun ways drives my instruction.” With that, Buckey differentiates his instruction through inspirational and motivational videos with his dogs Crackers, rapping to various songs from the 1980s and 1990s, social and emotional lessons to ease student anxiety, and real life applications in order to prepare students for life after high school. “I try to connect with students on a personal level,” states Buckey, “I really desire for my students to be successful academically and behaviourally so that they can earn a Golden Valley diploma.” In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Buckey has served as the voice of the Bulldogs for the past two years at Golden Valley football games as the public address announcer. Furthermore, you can find Buckey in his classroom every Tuesday after school with a guitar in his hand as he is the advisor of the Golden Valley Rock and Roll Club.
At the core of Buckey is his genuine desire to improve the quality of life of his students. One such example is that of Jose Angel Ochoa Carlos, Golden Valley High School Graduate of the Class of 2018. That year, Jose suffered some major degenerative health setbacks that caused him to miss a lot of school and for hospice care to intervene to provide further medical assistance. Buckey, along with members of the Golden Valley High School staff, worked with Jose’s family to provide him with a Golden Valley High School Diploma and a graduation party at his house with hospice staff. “Jose was a bright kid that inspired us all,” indicates a sympathetic Buckey, “He wanted to be the first person in his family to graduate and wanted to continue his education, even when his physical abilities wouldn’t allow him to.” A few months after Jose’s graduation, he passed away, but Buckey will always remember Jose. “He taught me the power of belonging to loving friends and family,” states Buckey, “I lost my father when I first came to teach at Golden Valley and through both passings, I have learned the value of staying positive, treasuring life, and doing the very best I can to put a smile on the faces of those students and staff members I see on a daily basis.” For his desire to entertain others with the goal of improving the quality of their life, Darren Buckey is #BulldogSTRONG and Golden Valley’s Teacher of the Year.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Darren Buckey: “#BulldogSTRONG means that we should always believe in our abilities to impact others. It also means that we should challenge ourselves by stepping out of our comfort zone. We shouldn’t choose the easy way in life, we should always choose the way that allows us to GROW.”
What Students and Staff Think of Darren Buckey:
“Mr. Buckey cares about students. He is always helpful and supportive to ALL of his students. He has really helped me a lot and gives me good advice. He is a great man that has helped me be successful. I will always remember him when I think of Golden Valley.” Alessandra Portillo, 12th Grader, Golden Valley High School
“Mr. Buckey is charismatic and caring. I remember one day in which my club needed an advisor because ours was gone for the day and Mr. Buckey let us use his classroom so that we could meet. After that, Mr. Buckey would check in on our club from time to time. Mr. Buckey is also very forgiving and doesn’t hold poor behavior against students.” Louis Ortega, 12th Grader, Golden Valley High School
“Mr. Buckey is cool and chill. His class always has stuff going and yet, he always helps us and listens to our problems. He also allows us to catch up on our work in other classes and his lessons are fun and meaningful.” Quentin Butler, 11th Grader, Golden Valley High School
“Mr. Buckey works with us to get good grades. He also makes goofy videos with dog Crackers that keep us laughing. His class is fun, but he also provides opportunities for us to be successful.” Colby Fox, 12th Grader, Golden Valley High School
“I like Mr. Buckey in my rock and roll club. He is really goofy with his humor. I like when he plays different instruments and I love his taste in music. He helps me out whenever I need help and I greatly appreciate that.” Emilio Real, 10th Grader, Golden Valley High School
“My first day as Mr. Buckey’s IA I knew I was going to love my job. I could see from his sense of humor and positive attitude that we would get along great. It didn’t take long before I realized he loves to sing and kids enjoy it! His random outbursts of lyrics (usually from before their time) is really entertaining. They especially like the 90’s hip hop/rap that really catches their attention and sparks some fun feedback. Mr. Buckey’s attentiveness to the different needs of each student is uplifting. His classroom is a place where everyone is welcome. Those in need of advice or help can come, be heard and leave knowing there is someone there who cares and will help. He takes the time to sit one on one and just check in with them. And he continuously tries to motivate every student individually to be successful. “ Nicole Rojas, Instructional Assistant, Golden Valley High School