Adam Pagura

Joining Lynbrook’s community of academic communications teachers, Adam Pagura mentors students with special needs, through not only teaching them academic subjects, but also helping them experience the world by being a mentor.

“Most of the special needs population have a really hard time making friends,” Pagura said. “Being able to be a friend to them while they experience the world is something I really enjoy.”

Graduating Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Pagura knew he wanted to give back to the community, but was unsure if he wanted to pursue a career as a teacher. He started as a substitute teacher in the Fremont Academic Community Transition classroom and eventually found himself in a long term substituting position for a special needs class at Fremont. After just five months, he developed a profound appreciation of the classroom environment, and landed a job as a paraprofessional educator in FUHSD. 

As a new teacher at Lynbrook, one challenge Pagura faces is getting to know the students and staff. Despite this, he is already familiar with some of them, having met previously in summer school.

“I have a really strong team of staff and teachers around me,” Pagura said. “They know how to handle conflicts with students really well.”

Pagura is impressed not only by the staff he is surrounded by, but also with the students he is working with. He believes that they have a special personality inside of them that they are not always capable of portraying. He looks forward to strengthening his connections with his students throughout his time at Lynbrook.

“I don’t want my students to remember me as just a teacher, but as their friend as well,” Pagura said. “I want them to know that I will do my best to help them to achieve their personal goals.”