Jeffrey Rosadini is a heavyweight contributor to Redondo Union’s school programs. He is the special education algebra teacher, the school-site council teacher representative, People to People International club sponsor, Violence Prevention Action Committee Representative and the safe-school ambassador teacher leader at RUHS; he also shares his profession with his wife Julie, who teaches 6th grade at Adams Middle School.
“Jeff Rosadini is always willing and ready to step up and step in to any position, project or program that will benefit our students,” said Nicole Wesley, RUHS principal. “Jeff has two key ingredients that allow him to experience success with his students — patience and a positive outlook.”
Rosadini has a quiet voice and a kind manner, something that students might easily take advantage of. Instead, they listen. He stands in front of the classroom with an engaged audience, teaching them step-by-step and making sure everybody understands along the way.
“He can reach kids on so many levels,” said instructional aid Felicia Salazar who has been with Rosadini for two years. “He is really good at what he does.”
Originally from Connecticut, he has been at RUHS for eight years teaching algebra and helping students become successful both in and out of school with the school-to-career class. This course teaches students real-world skills and encourages them to be responsible when the graduate from high school.
He originally learned he had a passion for kids and for teaching while working at a day care center after his father, who was also teacher got him the job at his school. It was through that job and seeing his father teach that he decided to go into teaching.
“My mother stressed how important teaching was,” said Rosadini. “Everyone suggested that I go into teaching. I’m upfront and honest with kids and try to be personable without being personal. I try to stress personal responsibility.”
“He treats everybody the same across the board,” said Salazar. “He doesn’t treat any kid different than any other academically or emotionally. He knows he’s good at reaching them and explains things different away until they get it. He just wants to see them succeed.”
His classroom is a hodge-podge of motivational posters. “Need a high five?” is taped to the door with a photocopy of his hand. “Respect, Learn It, Earn It,” is highlighted in a purple poster towards the front of the room and a poster of Abraham Lincoln among other great leaders and innovators hangs on his podium with the words, “If at first you don’t succeed, you’re in good company.” The words hugging the walls of his classroom are no different than the caring smile and helpful words pasted to his own face as he leans over algebra pages helping students understand what he’s teaching.
“Teaching is not about knowledge,” said Rosadini. “It’s conveying knowledge so students can grasp it.”
According to Wesley, he does not seek recognition and will actually shake his head with wonder when publicly recognized. “Because to Jeff,” Wesley said, “being involved in a capacity beyond teaching is his way of showing our students how much he cares about them and our school. When we needed a teacher to tutor students struggling to pass the CAHSEE, Jeff volunteered. When searching for teacher representatives for our School Site Council, Jeff volunteered. When we adopted the Safe School Ambassador program and needed committed teachers to work with and train students, Jeff stepped up. To top it all off, Jeff’s attitude that all students can and will learn algebra, which is a very difficult subject for many students, is demonstrated through his individualized attention to his students, creative lessons related to the real-world, and the fact that he is constantly looking at new ideas and ways to reach his students.”
A framed and signed plaque hangs in the corner of his classroom. One signature in particular brings Rosadini pride. “You’re a great and fun math teacher,” the student writes in blue ink. “You changed my life and made me love math so much that now it’s my favorite subject now. You made it very interesting. Thank you.”
According to anonymous sources within the high school, he also likes to sing while teaching.
“I just do it [teach] because it’s fun,” said Rosadini. “If you’re teaching for any other reason, then it’s being done for the wrong reason.”
