Beloved Teacher at Risk of Losing Sections

Mr. Lyons, an Encinal alum, has taught at EHS since 2006 (image via Linville)

When students return to campus for the 2021-2022 school year they may see less of marketing teacher Derrick Lyons around. This is because Mr. Lyons may have fewer classes to teach.

Traditionally, teachers teach five sections. Since 2006, Mr. Lyons has taught multiple sections of Marketing 1 and Marketing 2, popular courses at Encinal. However, next year he is only scheduled to have three marketing classes.

Teachers love to teach and support students. The more classes they have, the more students they reach. To have less than five classes would affect Mr. Lyons income.

“Not teaching five classes would affect me personally," said Lyons. "Anything dealing with salary affects me and my family. It also takes away opportunities for me to give back in the way of knowledge and support to the Encinal community.”

Lyons, who is also an Encinal grad, would have to find work elsewhere to supplement his income.

“My plans are to come back to Encinal and teach. I am one of two black male teachers in the school district and I went to Encinal, so yes my plans are to return.”

The lack of marketing sections may be due to an error during course selection. When course selections opened up before the February break, marketing was left out. The error was corrected four days later, then allowing students to select Marketing 1 or 2.

"I think there needs to be a new sign up sheet made available to students," said senior and marketing student Sasha Aninipot. "Lyons is a teacher I think everyone should have at least once."

As of now, Encinal is slated to have only three marketing classes in the fall. So far, 120 students have signed up for marketing

“I am optimistic that this will get resolved and I can focus on the most important goal as a teacher: working with students.”

Mr. Lyons is currently in communication with Alameda Unified School District.

"Lyons works his butt off to get kids interested in (marketing)," said Aninipot. "and it would be a shame if his hard work wasn't rewarded."

"Lyons to me is more than a teacher," said senior and DECA president Ellyssa Enriquez. "His marketing class has taught me more than just business, he has taught me life lessons and has helped me build self-confidence. I personally think what he does is definitely worth fighting for. His classes deserve to be advertised more."