Yoshio Nakamura in the present day.

“Yosh” Nakamura teaching art class at Rio Hondo College in the 1960s .

Community icon featured in L.A. Magazine

By Ruthie Retana

Rio Hondo Community College

WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College’s Yoshio Nakamura taught high school and college students about creating art for more than four decades – sharing the unique perspectives that drove the dramatic images he created on canvas, paper and through sculpture.

Now, 22 years after retiring as Rio Hondo’s vice president of community services and institutional development, Nakamura continues to share important lessons on life and art.

Nakamura and his wife, Grace Shinoda Nakamura, are among a dozen Angelenos ages 59 to 100 whose philosophies and tips for aging gracefully are featured in the November edition of Los Angeles Magazine.

“The Rio Hondo community knows well that ‘Yosh’ still has much to offer all those who know him,” said Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss. “He is, has been and will continue to be a driving force for excellence for our students and faculty. This recognition and his many other honors are well deserved.”

In the article, Nakamura, 89, cites a quote Chelsea Clinton in turn attributes to her grandmother: “It isn’t what happens to you that is important. It’s what you do when something happens to you.”

Grace Nakamura, 87, an artist and retired educator, adds, “I believe that you can have a fulfilled life if you try to think positively and make the most of situations, if you try to live by the Golden Rule, if you’re accepting of people, if you try to give service to others,” she told the magazine.

It’s a lesson Yosh Nakamura learned early on.

At age 16, he was interned with other Japanese-Americans at the Tulare Assembly Center, a converted racetrack near Fresno. He was later relocated to a camp in Arizona, where he reported for active duty in the U.S. Army in 1944.

Nakamura was sent to France and Italy, where he served with the 442nd Regimental Team, a unit made up of Japanese-Americans. He was assigned to a heavy-weapons group, using deafening mortars and machine guns to wage war. In 2000, 20 members received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor. In 2011, the unit was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest U.S. civilian honor and Nakamura received the Bronze Star.

“All of us have been through hard times,” Nakamura said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have people who have been there to help me out and give me a more positive outlook on life.”

In 1952, Nakamura earned his bachelor of fine arts from USC and began teaching at Whittier High School while he worked to complete his master of fine arts. In 1960, he was named Teacher of the Year by the Whittier and the San Gabriel Valley Federation of Women’s Clubs.

In 1963, Nakamura joined the first faculty as fine arts chairman of the newly opened Rio Hondo College and, in a very real sense, found his home. Over the next 29 years, he added a series of administrative duties to his teaching role, becoming a dean and eventually a Rio Hondo College vice president.

His stamp can be seen across the college community, from the fine arts program to the Learning Assistance Center, from the fitness center to the campus gallery. All three of his children have attended Rio Hondo.

These days, Nakamura doesn’t seem to have slowed much.

Since retiring, he has dedicated himself to his art, but also found time to volunteer for a number of art-centered community groups, including Whittier’s Art in Public Places Committee and Cultural Arts Commission.

In January, he will join a handful of other veterans atop the City of Alhambra float in the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade. The “Go For Broke” float honors the Japanese-Americans who served during World War II while their family members were interned.

In February, Nakamura will be one of two featured artists at the Hillcrest Congregational Church’s 55th annual Festival of Fine Arts – an event he has been involved with since its inception.

In April, he will be inducted into the Whittier High School Hall of Fame – an honor that recognizes the scope of Nakamura’s impact – a role so strong students still stop him to say how much his classes influenced their lives.

Nakamura is also focused on an issue closer to home. His grandson, Kai Nakamura, is struggling with a heart illness that is currently untreatable. But, in keeping Grace and Yoshio Nakamura’s trademark positive outlook, the family has turned to YouTube to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure. See their video appeal at See their video appeal at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C8LMga8BRU.

Steve Rodriguez

Whittier Union brings on 30 new teachers

By Juliette Funes

VMA Communications

WHITTIER – Pioneer High School has a new assistant principal of curriculum at the helm, Steve Rodriguez, a former administrator at El Rancho Unified with more than 15 years in education.

The addition of Rodriguez comes on the heels of the Whittier Union High School District hiring 30 new teachers – the largest number of educators the district has hired in a single school year since 2007, ensuring that it meets its commitment to reducing class sizes and adding more sections.

“Because of our commitment to reduce class size, we have hired more teachers than we have for several years and are thrilled to welcome them to the Whittier Union family,” said Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. “I have no doubt that each member will help us honor our dedication to student success.”

Rodriguez, a native of Pico Rivera who now lives in Whittier, earned his bachelor’s in Social Science, master’s in Education and master’s in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.

During his 15-year career at El Rancho Unified, Rodriguez taught history and social science at Rivera Middle School for eight years and then transitioned to El Rancho High School as the dean. He later served as assistant principal of business and activities and assistant principal of curriculum.

While at Pioneer, Rodriguez said he aims to improve the student experience and positively impact student learning.

“As the assistant principal of curriculum, my role will be to support our teachers so that they have all the resources they need to ensure student success,” Rodriguez said. “I appreciate being part of a district that stays closely focused on improving student achievement for all of its students.”

Pioneer High School Principal Monica Oviedo said Rodriguez brings a rich educational background to the school, having worked closely with El Rancho teachers to support them in Common Core implementation and helping to improve teaching and learning.

“Steve served El Rancho Unified in various capacities, from being a student, teacher and coach to leading as a dean and assistant principal, demonstrating a tremendous work ethic and genuine humility along the way,” Oviedo said. “I am excited that he has joined our team and know that he is truly thrilled to be a part of our Titan family.”

In addition to Rodriguez, Whittier Union hired 30 other certificated staff, which includes teachers, deans and counselors who are working across the district. The additional staff members are a result of the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), a spending plan that calls for reduced class sizes and more counselors, among other programs.

To initiate them into Whittier Union, the 30 new hires – some of whom were on temporary contracts last year and were welcomed back to permanent positions – participated in Teacher Power, an orientation program introducing them to the district’s mission, vision and the cornerstone of its curriculum, the “Whatever It Takes” initiative.

“We have such an amazing group of teachers and staff, who work together in setting high expectations for our students at Whittier Union,” said New Teacher Program Specialist Wendy Brandt, who will guide teachers in their first years. “We’re very blessed to have such a collaborative learning and teaching environment with the focus on student support and success.”