Computer teacher Dana Avila loves being involved in her students’ lives and spending time with her family outdoors. Being an alumna of Tracy High, she has been through a lot with the Tracy community.

What do you love most about your job? “The students. Working with them, getting to know them, being a part of their lives.”

What is the most difficult part of your job? “Staying updated with the latest technology. Technology is constantly changing. Honestly, the kids could teach me more than I teach them.”

What do you love most about working with kids? “Their energy, their enthusiasm, and their resiliency. I feel like kids face so much today compared to when I was their age, and I’m always just awestruck at how they’re dealing with everything and still coming to school and doing well with their grades.”

Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher? “No, I knew I wanted to be in business. I thought I would have been an accountant.”

Where did you go to school? “I attended Tracy High and graduated in 1980. I went to Sacramento State College and majored in financing and accounting.”

Was it weird coming back and teaching at your school? “It was awesome to come back and teach after that. Returning back home to my roots, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do that.”

What is the best thing about teaching at Tracy High? “I feel like Tracy High is a family. I feel that the administration and the faculty and the support staff work well together. We get along and we all want the best for this school.”

What makes you happy? “Traveling, camping, boating. I love it all! I have traveled cross country and been to 18 different states.”

Do you have any children? “I have two sons; Jason, 24, and Aaron who is 18. I will have been married for 30 years on June 10 of this year.”

What is your favorite food? “Thai food. My favorite is chicken fried rice.”

What is your favorite movie? “My favorite movie would have to be ‘Little Rascals’. Every single character is so entertaining and interesting. It makes me happy.”

What is the strangest job you’ve ever had? “It was through the Tracy High School ROP program, I was an administrative assistant for uniform printing.”

What is your favorite music? “Country. I love music. I play it every day. I couldn’t pick one song to be my ‘favorite’ song.”

What was your first car? “A light blue, two door, 1976 Malibu Classic. It got me from one place to another. It was all I needed. I paid for it on my own by working as a lifeguard for two summers at Oakwood Lake in Manteca.”