Faculty Spotlight
MR. JOE SMITH by Ileen Basch Vance (’67)Mr. Smith, aka Marcello Mastrioanni, taught water polo, swimming, and biology at MHS beginning in 1958. Nancy Lookofsky ('67) can attest to his unique teaching methods. Along with Mr. Lee Smelser, Joe also taught State Requirements. As if that were not enough, he was a Counselor with Mr. La Ferla, Ms. Mullins, Mrs. Cobb, and Mrs. Ernaga. In 1968, he left MHS to become Vice Principal at Rim of the World High in Lake Arrowhead until 1971. But, the South Bay called him back. He joined Mr. La Ferla at the Southern California Regional Occupational Center in Torrance as a Counselor and Registrar, where he remained for 10 years. With 25 years of teaching and mentoring under his belt, Joe left the education field to join the Prudential Insurance Company until the early 1990's. He has now settled into a beautiful retirement community in Camarillo. There, he gardens with his lovely wife, Dorothy, and continues to fulfill his passion for golfing. He also still parties with the best of them, having attended the Mane Event in July 2008.
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