The woman of the month
Natasha Deakins stands with her arm around junior Sharron Keletakona among signs, used for the MCHS Walkout, advocating for students’ safety and a safe campus. (Photo: Claire Wu, The Puma Prensa)
By Claire Wu, staff writer
Who is the Student Activity and Leadership Co-Advisor who also teaches AP English Literature and Composition here at Maria Carrillo High School? Who boosts school spirit and morale to its fullest? Who is the woman changing the world, one class at a time? You know who: Natasha Deakins.
Known and admired across the board as very caring, empathetic, and energetic, Deakins teaches students to share their opinions and be themselves in her AP Lit classes, classes in which her students feel comfortable and can speak up without raising their hands.
"I feel most like myself in her class," said Penny Gong, a senior who is taking Deakins's AP Literature class.
Deakins goes above and beyond the curriculum to teach her students about real life, connecting discussions to more personal things and helping students view the world around them with fresh, excited eyes. But she doesn't just spread her wisdom and compassion in the classroom.
"She's very involved in student life," said Gong. "She wants to make our student life here better."
While not at home reading poetry or The New Yorker, or spending her day outdoors, Deakins can be found handing out sweets to students around school campus herself as a way to encourage school spirit on spirit days, or helping the 84 students in MCHS leadership plan the events that are a source of excitement at this school, as our Student Activity Co-Advisor.
According to her husband, Jerry Deakins, our AP U.S. History and psychology teacher, as well as our Athletic Director, Natasha Deakins wakes up every day before school wondering how she can improve the high school experience to make it more fulfilling and enjoyable for students.
"This is the only school I've ever taught at, and I love these students," said Natasha Deakins. "I had an incredible junior English teacher who inspired me [to become a teacher]. She loved what she did. She loved her students," and the immense love and dedication that Deakins saw in her English teacher is reflected in her own fervor for MCHS.
Posters made by MCHS Student Leadership cheer on the MCHS wrestling team. (Photo: Claire Wu, The Puma Prensa)
Getting items ready for a Valentine's week spirit day at the same time as she answers interview questions, Deakins shared that running school leadership is "incredibly stressful and simultaneously incredibly rewarding." Leadership students organize assemblies, senate meetings, lunchtime activities, and clubs, as well as our school dances and rallies, all advised by Deakins and leadership's other Co-Advisor, Trevor Brady. It takes "hours and hours and hours" to prepare for school dances and rallies, said Natasha Deakins, but with her help, leadership gets them done.
"Her work ethic motivates me to be as efficient as she is," said Timothy Liu, Student Body President. "She makes me want to create real change in the world and to become a leader for others."
As such an inspiring teacher who does so much for the MCHS community, Deakins strives to "[increase] student voice," and "[help] women find a true voice," she said.
These classes, as well as the student positions in them, are mainly occupied by females. Because "you get to decide, implement, but most importantly, decide what you want to do" in leadership, said Deakins, the girls of leadership can become powerful, strong leaders. And as their hardworking and dedicated guide who greatly keeps up school spirit, Deakins proves herself to be a strong and empowering female role model at MCHS as well.