By Katelyn Lam & Magdalene Ko; Editors-in-Chief
This year is the end of an era for Mills, marking the re-retirement of Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips has been a crucial staple of the Mills faculty since 1980 and during his time here, he has influenced the community beyond belief. His current International Relations class is one of the most in-depth, rewarding courses at Mills, where he teaches students about the ins and outs of foreign policy. Now, as he leaves after over 40 years, we wish him all the best.
Created in 2004, International Relations has been an exciting elective here at Mills, made special only by Mr. Phillips. He has fostered a passion for international affairs in his students through his thorough, expansive class. Each year is a new curriculum, tailored to change with the world, as he uses news articles to bring the most updated news to his students. Every student is encouraged to ask questions, to pursue knowledge and think outside the box. The material he teaches in International Relations is more intricate and in-depth than one could learn from simply browsing online. There are no textbooks, instead, he uses what he feels is most relevant for students to learn. This year, he brought in seven speakers for the class, bringing a new perspective and first hand experience for his students to learn from. From Diplomats to the Coast Guard, the speakers have provided the students with a new outlook on life. The class is definitely challenging but incredibly rewarding. According to Ms. Louie, many of his past students have “credited him for their current career pathways and for inspiring them to engage in civic participation”, and sitting in his class, it’s easy to see why. Not only does Mr. Phillips teach his students about the world, but he prepares them for college as well. He offers advice on schools and a packet of information from his previous students on things they wish they knew before entering college. Mr. Phillips has also served at the head of some clubs at Mills, namely Model UN and the Dragon Team. “I was very pleased with that role. I will never forget the feeling of being on Market Street waiting for the parade, and one doesn’t forget those things at all.”
Throughout his time here at Mills, Mr. Phillips has had a remarkable impact on all the faculty. For example, Mr. Phillips is known for wearing a suit in school every day. However, Mr. Hensley mentioned that Mr. Phillips once came to school in jeans. According to him, “it was like Halley’s Comet, it just doesn’t happen.” Mr. Burdette had the same memory, stating “I remember my first year of teaching, over thirty years ago, when the Mills Teachers had a baseball game against each other as part of some staff celebration. Mr. Phillips wore a white t-shirt and jeans. It was the only time I’ve ever seen him not wearing a suit. It may be the last time anyone has ever seen him not wearing a suit.” And that may be true. He certainly hasn’t been spotted without on school campus. In another story about his outfit, Ms. Peel mentioned that once, a Mills secretary had actually cut his tie in half! She also stated that “Mr. Phillips IS Mr. Mills High School. His overall specialness is what makes him so amazing, a true personification of Mills”. Ms. Dusynski has shared some of her greatest memories with Mr. Phillips as well. “One of my fondest was the year we were on distance, a small group of teachers and staff came to work every day and he was one of them. We decided to record a video for the students and Mr. Phillips was in the starring role. The spirit stick was missing and I was trying to find it and it ended with us seeing Mr. Phillips in Center Court with the stick. It was perfect because he is a person that really protects and watches over the Viking Spirit. He is a really outstanding individual.”
Yet he is also beloved by the students. Mr. Phillips will respond to every greeting with a genuine smile and question about how we’re doing, taking his time to talk to his students, checking in and passing on his wisdom about life, school, or practically any topic. He was even a finalist for NBC Sports Bay Area All-Star teacher many years ago. The best description of Mr. Phillips comes from Sabrina Guo (11) who stated that he is the “classiest teacher with the best class.”
Students from his class all sing high praises about Mr. Phillips. Yuan Garcia (12) said “He really cares about us, he puts everything into his students.” One such example is when Tazu Luisi (12) was sick for several days, but Mr. Phillips went above and beyond to try to help Luisi. For those that aren’t aware, Mr. Phillips would take his class to San Francisco to the World Affairs Council or Asia Society to listen to speakers, then treat them to dinner afterward. Luisi explained “I was sick and really sad I couldn’t make it to the SF event, especially because I couldn’t even come into school. But Mr. Phillips called me and said he’d do anything for his students and offered to drive the permission form to me.” Mr. Phillips is known for going the extra mile, for reaching out when students are struggling, for always being encouraging. He would go over an assignment with a low grade, revising and giving suggestions until the student achieved the desired grade. Ultimately, in the words of Jack Dijamco (12), Mr. Phillips “cares about everyone equally and sees the best in you.”
When asked about what he would miss most, he talked about the World Affairs Council and Asia Society events, stating “I will miss terribly taking students to Asia Society, World Affairs and to dinner. I will continue to go but I won’t have students and that won’t be emotionally good for me.” Taking students out to these events in the city is something that made Mr. Phillips unique. He aims to teach students about real world issues and no teacher will ever go as far as he has to provide his students with an education beyond the classroom. He will miss working in the classroom, especially when assignments and activities are going over well. He talked fondly of going to the computer with a blank screen and thinking about what the goal of each assignment was, what was the aim. He only taught one class, and that really allowed him to put all of his focus and passion into it. “When assignments go over well it is very uplifting” he said. When asked about former students, he said “I do keep up with former students and I will be keeping up with students this year so that will be enjoyable. In that sense I just have a lot of positive memories with former students.” Mr. Phillips often invites his former students back to the classroom to talk with his current students, just like Bryan Chan, a graduate from the class of 2019. “Bryan and I go to dinner twice a year when he comes back from the East Coast, and he will be graduating next week and I’m asking him to send me a picture in his grad uniform.” He often takes his former students out to dinner and keeps in touch years into the future. “Teaching is always about your students. If something doesn’t work, change it.” And that is a philosophy that has served him well over the past 51 years.
“I’m going to miss the students terribly”, Mr. Phillips said. “I’m never going to get over that. 51 years.” When asked what he will do with all the free time he has now, he mentioned that there are some classics he’d like to read, like the Odyssey. “I’ll keep up with the world and I know I’ll be sitting down and reading something and go oh that would be good for class.” Student interests have shifted over time at Mills, and just like how International Relations was created 18 years ago, new classes will come and go, but Mr. Phillips’ Mills legacy will never be forgotten.
