Ms. Trina Plummer
B.A. in History
Cal State East Bay
Ms. Armas currently teaches U.S. History. When asked why she wanted to become a teacher, she replied "My mother is a teacher. She, along with my 8th grade history teacher, inspired me to become a teacher so that I can make a difference in the lives of students."
Mr. Bill Barnes
B.A. in Geography, M. Ed. in Special Education
Paloma Jr. College, UCLA, CSULA, San Jacinto College-North, University of Houston
Advisor for Class of 2012, Pep Club, and the Gay Straight Alliance
Mr. Barnes currently supports American Government, Economics, U.S. History, and World History for our special education students. When asked what he loves most about teaching at PHS, Mr. Barnes replied "The best part about teaching at PHS is, without a doubt, the students."
"History teaches everything including the future."
- Lamartine
Mrs. Lora Bryant
B.A. in Social Science; M.A. in Education
San Jose State University, Chapman University
Mrs. Bryant currently teaches World History and U.S. History.
Mrs. Colleen Coll
B.A. in Sociology; M.A. in Public Administration
University of the Pacific, Golden Gate University, JFK University
Mrs. Coll currently teaches American Government. When asked which was her favorite social science subject to teach, she replied "Government is truly my passion. I served on the Concord City Council for 14 years, served as Mayor for 2 (1987-1989), and worked for Nancy Pelosi."
"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times.This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
- Machiavelli
Mr. Peter Garellick
pgarellick@pittsburg.k12.ca.us
B.A. in Humanities
UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University
Mr. Garellick currently teaches World History. When asked why he decided to become a teacher, he replied "I wanted a job where I could wear shorts all year round."
Mr. Erik Grady
B.A. in Russian Studies
UC Los Angeles
Advisor for the Class of 2012
Mr. Grady currently teaches World History and AP World History. When asked which of the social sciences was his favorite to teach, Mr. Grady replied "World History because fewer and fewer people know their history, or anything about foreign cultures. It is vital that we know something about the world in a global society."
"Fools learn from their mistakes, wise men learn from the mistakes of others."
- Otto Von Bismark
Ms. Jamie Keith (Department Chair)
B.A. in Government & International Relations
CSU Sacramento
Advisor for the Class of 2015
Ms. Keith currently teaches U.S. History and AP Government. She is also a PHS alumni, having graduated in 1998. When asked what she liked best about teaching at PHS, she replied "I love teaching at the school that I once attended. I feel like I am giving back to the community that I grew up in while helping prepare others for their own futures."
Mr. Kenneth Lohman
B.A. in History (minor in Geography)
Diablo Valley College, Chico State University
Mr. Lohman currently teaches U.S. History, Government and Economics. When asked what his favorite social science subject is to teach, he said "History, because it encompasses everything."
"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."
- Eldridge Cleaver
Ms. Jessica Parfitt
B.A. in History
St. Mary's College
Advisor for the Class of 2015
Ms. Parfitt currently teaches U.S. History. When asked why she wanted to become a teacher, she replied "I decided to become a teacher because, being raised in a family of educators, I learned to love learning for the sake of learning. That is a message I want to spread to my students."
Mr. Arthur Pruyn
B.A. in Philosophy
UC Los Angeles
Mr. Pruyn currently teaches World History and AP U.S. History. When asked why he wanted to become a teacher, he said "I have a passion for history and believe that I can help the citizens of tomorrow be better citizens."
"Economics is not politics. One is a science, concerned with the immutable and constant laws of nature that determine the production and distribution of wealth; the other is the art of ruling."
- Frank Chodorov
Mr. Martin Santiago
B.A. in Accounting (minor in Economics)
Los Medanos College, New Mexico State University
Advisor for Oasis (PHS Christian Club)
Mr. Santiago currently teaches Economics. While he did not graduate from PHS, he did attend Los Medanos Elementary, Hillview Jr. High, and Pittsburg High School (through his sophomore year). When asked what he likes best about teaching at PHS, he said "Pittsburg is my home and my people and would not want to teach anywhere else. I am very happy here."
Mr. James Shipe III
B.A. in History, M.A. in History
UC Davis, CSU Hayward
Freshman Football Head Coach
Mr. Shipe currently teaches World History. He is also a PHS alumni, having graduated in 1996.