› Welcome to Mr. Hirsch's Website


Greetings! My name is Jonathan Hirsch. I teach Social Studies at Redwood High School. Here’s a little about me and my background:

  1. I am a Marin County native (Lucas Valley, San Rafael, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Sausalito, Mill Valley). I have 1 brother, Adam, who lives in Larkspur (and coaches football here with me). My mom lives in Berkeley.
  2. I graduated from Redwood in 1994 (Go Giants). While in high school, I excelled academically (3.7 GPA – gosh, I can’t believe I remember that!), athletically (captain of the Football team as a senior) and in extra curricular activities (Advanced Drama as a senior – 1st of 3 Varsity football players in the history of the school to simultaneously participate in advanced Drama)
  3. I graduated from Pomona College (not to be confused with Cal Poly Pomona) in ’98, majoring in Science, Technology and Society. While at Pomona, I played Varsity football, Club Lacrosse, and was the President of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
  4. After graduating, I came back to Marin and coached football here at Redwood while completing my teaching credential at Dominican in San Rafael. I was hired at St. Ignatius in 2000, taught Biology and coached football there for 4 years, before returning to Redwood in the fall of ’05. IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME!!!

What can students taking my classes expect?

  1. Consistency. I approach all of my students with an even hand. The rules that apply to one apply to all, and apply all year.
  2. To be challenged. I will challenge my students academically, intellectually, organizationally, and socially.
  3. A teacher who cares about them as people. I have always viewed myself as someone who educates the whole person. Teaching my students about history or geography is an important PART of what I do. I want my students to leave my classes with a better view of themselves, their role at Redwood, role in the world, and with the knowledge that they have a teacher at the school who cares about them as individuals, and whose door is always open.

 

What do I like to do outside of my classes?

  1. Spending time with my wife Caley :)
  2. Coaching Varsity football is a passion of mine. Football is a way to connect with and challenge teenage boys that is entirely unique. There is no sport or activity like football.
  3. Martial Arts. I have a 1st degree Brown Belt (Black is next!) in Shaolin Kempo. I practice at United Studios of Self Defense in San Anselmo.
  4. Walking my two pugs, Bugle and Pepper (little dogs with big hearts; no problems playing with the big boys :)
  5. River Rafting. I’ve rafted the American, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Rogue, Pacuare, and Reventazon rivers. Next on my list are the Colorado and Zambezi!


You can reach me by phone or email, but email is preferred. My phone is 945-3600 extension 6282. My email is jhirsch@redwood.org.



Me and my wife in Michelangelo's Gardens in Italy