Loaded with local credentials
Name:
Greg Camacho–Light
School:
Assistant Principal at Gilroy High School, Principal at Brownell Academy for summer school.
Education:
Gavilan College, San Jose State University, National University
Personal History:
Born in Carmel and raised in southern San Benito County, Camacho–Light attended school in a one room schoolhouse taught by his father.
At age 30, Camacho–Light headed back to school to become a teacher – just as his father had done years prior.
“I guess that had an influence – a big influence,” he said smiling.
They became a father–son team at the Jefferson School in San Benito. Camacho–Light taught kindergarten through eighth grade in the one–room building.
“I was the teacher, the principal, the janitor, and the groundskeeper,” he said.
In 1994, an opportunity opened at GHS in the theater department, which Camacho–Light jumped on. He taught theater for four years when he suffered a mild stroke.
“It wasn’t a big one,” he said. “But it made me think about things.”
Camacho–Light realized he wanted to work with teachers, and help them become even better instructors.
For the past three years he has served as an assistant principal at GHS.
While he misses the close contact with students, he is hoping that with the new Dean of Students position starting this fall – he can get into the classrooms more often.
Resume:
Served as president of the Gilroy Federation of Teachers, vice–president of the California Federation of Teachers, and served as the Mayor of Hollister during the November 1989 earthquake.
“It was extremely important in shaping me as a leader,” Camacho–Light said of his experience as mayor during the aftermath of the earthquake. “I had a lot of cleaning up to do … I’m grateful I had this experience because with this job you never know what’s going to happen.”
After the earthquake, he met with the Governor and representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The experience leading in Hollister helps put things in perspective when emergencies happen at the high school, he explained.
Hobbies:
“When I’m not working, it’s 100 percent family,” Camacho–Light said. He and his wife have six children. They spend time doing arts and crafts and reading together. He also has a knack for gardening.
Outstanding Qualities:
Patience when listening and his ability to look at both sides of a situation. Also, his work ethic.
“I would never want anyone to have to do anything that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself,” he explained.
