After 26 years at Aragon, Michael Gibbons, Educational Specialist and social studies teacher, is preparing to retire, leaving behind a legacy of quiet advocacy, sharp wit and unwavering support for students.
Gibbons didn’t start out as a teacher. In fact, his first career was in restaurants, where he worked as a chef.
“I got tired of complaining about the world and not doing anything about it,” Gibbons said. “I had friends who were teachers and they talked me into trying it. So I began as an instructional assistant in the classroom in the East Bay, and then I got my credential in my late 30s.”
Since then, Gibbons has mainly taught U.S. History and Economics, always with a focus on making education relevant and meaningful.
“The point is to give students tools to deal with the world,” Gibbons said. “The curriculum shouldn’t exist in the vacuum. That’s not how I teach it and that’s not how I think it should be taught. It should be taught as a way to get students to engage with what’s happening now, what they’re going to be inheriting and the world they’re going to be walking in.”
Gibbons is known not only for his sarcastic and witty attitude, but also his different teaching style.
“Our class is structured in a way where we never learn the full implications of an event,” said junior Sophie Rayes. “Instead we have to do outside research if we really want to know. It really makes us think deeply about everything and think about the full picture.”
He’s also understanding and caring towards his students.
“I don’t take things personally,” Gibbons said. “If a student swears or walks in upset, it’s not about me — it’s about what they’re going through. You have to talk to them, check in, pull them aside. They need to feel like someone cares.”
Gibbons’ co-teaching model also allows him to build stronger individual relationships with students.
“Gibbons co-teaches my class, which means that he has more time to talk with the students one-on-one,” Rayes said. “Sometimes, he’ll pull one of us outside to talk and help us with our problems.”
Social Studies teacher Carlo Corti, who has co-taught Government and Economics with Gibbons for the past four years, said this deep sense of care has always defined his colleague.
“He never gives up on people,” Corti said. “He is 100% in to help kids succeed in a way that is really admirable. It comes from a deep reservoir of kindness he has.”
Gibbons is also known for his quiet advocacy. In addition to teaching, he served as Special Education Department Chair, a role that often kept him behind the scenes.
“He checks in on how students are doing,” Corti said. “He also has one-on-one conversations with teachers to see how they can help a student and give feedback. He also works with counselors to try to get the best possible schedules and placements for students.”
Corti described Gibbons’ retirement as bittersweet.
“I’m sad,” Corti said. “I’m losing a partner, I’m losing a friend, at least at school. He does a lot of things for students and for the school that don’t always get seen and recognized. He has incredible responsibilities that he has to deal with at the time, and the school is losing a huge fountain of knowledge that’s gonna be really hard to replace.”
In his next chapter, Gibbons plans to travel, including a month-long trip to Italy. But even as he steps away from teaching, his message for students remains clear.
“They need to challenge the way things are,” Gibbons said. “They should not accept things if they don’t believe they’re right. They need to do something about it.”
