English Teacher Brings Sci-fi and Anime Culture to SMS

Mr. Estrada has a unique perspective on school and fiction.

Jonathan Rodriguez, Staff Writer • May 13, 2024

Jonathan Rodriguez

Mr. Estrada teaches ELA 8 and Advanced ELD.

As many of you know, Mr. Estrada is an 8th grade English teacher at Sepulveda Middle School and I decided to ask him a few interesting questions.

Question: What made you decide to be a teacher?

Answer:

What made me decide to be a teacher was my love for stories and for all the English teachers I had in school.

Question: What do you think about SMS students?

Answer: I think the majority of them are very bright however, some are challenging but most of them are fun.

**Mr. Estrada’s “Kamen Rider” card collection. (Jonathan Rodriguez)**

Question: What’s better: Kamen Rider or Power Rangers?

Answer: Kamen Rider absolutely.

Question: How were you in Middle school and High school?

Answer: I was a quiet kid, fairly good grades and number one student in Cross Country (racing).

Mr. Estrada’s Journal. (Jonathan Rodriguez)

Question: What is special about being a younger teacher?

Answer: I can reach out to veteran teachers for information, knowledge and advice for teaching.

Question: What college did you go to?

Answer: I went to Aurora University in Illinois, went for Cross Country and became #3 overall 10k runner.

Mr. Estrada and his dad, Mr. Estrada, showing off Star Wars props that they made themselves. (Estrada Family Archive)

Question: What’s your favorite movie?

Answer: Back To The Future is my overall favorite movie.

Question: Do you watch anime? What’s your favorite?

Answer: Yes I love anime, my favorite is Hajime No Ippo.

Question: What’s the story you’re writing about?

Answer: In summary, a young boy receives ancient powers to defend the world from a tyrannical doctor.

About the Contributor

Jonathan Rodriguez, Editor-in-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette

Jonathan Rodriguez is an 8th grader at SMS. He's the Editor-En-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette and enjoys sleeping. Every time he wakes up, he goes to sleep again. He believes in God, is a true believer, and reads the bible. He may be quiet but is also very active and wild with friends. He is very smart and wants to graduate from Stanford University. He is still obsessed with wombats and is very scared of spiders. John 15:18 says, “If the world hates you, you know it hated Me before it hated you.” Jonathan is the Editor-In-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette. He is also a member of our journalism "Chiefs Team".