An enduring presence

Deirdre Newman

OCC CAMPUS -- On the desk of Joe Fox, the outgoing principal of Middle

College High School, is a picture of him with a beaming graduate of

Orange Coast College.

When the student, Mariela Arellano, came to Middle College, she was

unhappy and didn’t think she was going to finish, Fox said. She went on

to finish high school and graduate from OCC a year later.

“She wasn’t by any means our best student, but when I think about the

purpose of the school, this school made a difference to her,” he said.

It might be just as appropriate to say Fox made a difference to her --

the picture represents the personal relationship he has with many

students at the school.

Middle College High School, on the OCC campus, attracts juniors and

seniors who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional school setting or

want an extra challenge.

Many students say the warm, caring principal who believes in them will

be greatly missed.

“He always has faith in all students. He knows they can do well,” said

Mila Gukaylo, 17. “If I ever have a problem, he’s always there to help.”

Fox, 62, came to the district as a high school teacher in 1966, after

teaching for a few years near Chicago. He was drawn to teaching because

his family prized education.

“School was always an important part of my life and my family’s life,

in particular athletics and activities,” said Fox, who has also coached

wrestling.

He arrived at Middle College High School five years ago after the

program had been piloted for a year. At the time, the climate between the

high school and Orange Coast College was so tense that it was

questionable whether the school would remain open, Fox said.

So one of his first priorities was establishing congenial relations

with the campus. He put on his public relations hat and got busy

communicating with the college deans and president.

The effort paid off as the college is accommodating of the school’s

needs in terms of facilities and campus support, Fox said. The

construction of two new buildings in September, jointly supported by the

school district and the college, also alleviated some of the tension and

gave students and staff a home of their own.

Jim Carnett, director of media relations for the college, confirms

that Fox was a successful advocate for the high school in the college

community.

“Joe’s a great guy,” Carnett said. “He is a presence on the campus all

the time. He has so many ties to the campus and so many connections with

people.”

Another legacy Fox leaves is the establishment of the Parent Teacher

Student Assn. Fox wanted to see more parents involved, so he enlisted the

help of the Harbor Council Parents-Teachers Assn. Now the association is

at 82 members and growing, a strong showing considering there are 97

students at the school, Fox said.

Fox is also proud of the climate of tolerance at the school after he

started a character education program two years ago.

“One of the things I think we accomplished a lot here is the school

environment is safe, accepting and respectful,” Fox said.

Senior Pasha Patel said Fox fostered a spirit of independence among

students while still keeping a sense of authority.

“He lets you lead your own life at school,” Pasha said. “If there

needs to be any discipline, he’ll talk to you. He’s not intimidating.”

Fox, also a marathon runner, showed the same endurance at work as on

the track -- he never lost a day of work, making up for any days he

missed due to illness.

He is retiring to spend more time with his wife of 33 years, Kathy.

Like a true marathon runner, Fox said he has bittersweet feelings

about reaching the end of his educational career.

“The true joy comes in the journey, rather than the destination,” he

said.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .