Mr. Wade Mitchell is the coolest guy you’ll ever meet. What truly makes him stand out is his heart for kids and his unwavering Panther pride. A proud graduate of the Class of 1981, he carries many cherished memories from his time at Porterville High School. One of his favorite memories of his time as a PHS student was the tradition of rivalry car decorating. “Usually it was on the game day against Monache,” he remembers. “We would all get into our cars and drive across town, through Monache’s parking lots, with our cars decorated in orange and green.” Even years later, that same school spirit continues to shine through him, both as a former student and as a teacher.
Over the decades, Mr. Mitchell has collected countless memories as part of the Panther family, but it’s the “full circle” moments that mean the most. Today, there are about a dozen teachers on campus who were once his students. “Every day, just walking through the halls and running into one of them, like Ms. Padilla, makes me smile,” he shares. “It’s incredible to see how far they’ve come and the success they’ve had.”
With more than thirty years of teaching experience, Mr. Mitchell has seen plenty of change, both in students and in himself. “I haven’t noticed any drastic changes other than hairstyles,” he says with a laugh. He admits, though, that there has been a meaningful shift over time. “Students today seem more inclined to build relationships with their teachers,” he explains. “That’s something I really appreciate.” His own approach to teaching has also evolved. “In the beginning, I was much more rigid and worried about every moment in the classroom. Over time, I’ve become more relaxed with both students and the subject I teach.”
As the campus continues to transform with new buildings, a redesigned quad, and other updates, Mr. Mitchell’s pride in Porterville High remains as strong as ever. “In spite of all the changes to the appearance of the campus, I’m still very proud of the spirit this school has and what it means to be a Panther,” he says. His hope for the future is simple yet heartfelt. “Most teachers are forgotten after a couple of years,” he reflects, “but I hope that my legacy will live on through my former students who became teachers and those who follow after them.”
When it comes to teaching, one text that has always stood out to Mr. Mitchell is teaching Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. “I enjoy it the most because it deals with relationships and the loyalty that can form between people,” he says. “The main idea that you must keep your friends close but your enemies closer is one that I enjoy exploring with students.”
Mr. Mitchell has a bachelor’s degree in English from San Jose State and a masters degree in administration from Fresno State. Outside of school his hobby is working on cars. “I rebuild classic cars like hotrods. I have a 1963 Ford Falcon Convertible and a 1973 Karmann Ghia Convertible. Those are two that I’m working on,” he says.
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to have Mr. Mitchell as my English Honors teacher. His class truly left a lasting impression on me. We explored a wide range of literary works and genres including dystopian literature like Animal Farm, dramas including Julius Caesar, and historical texts such as passages from Hebrew literature. Through these works I was able to strengthen my academic skills and deepen my understanding of different writing styles. What stood out most was Mr. Mitchell’s wisdom and the genuine advice he shared with us. Even though we were just sophomores, he encouraged us to dream bigger. He often reminded us, “Leave! Porterville is not the place for students after high school.” His words still stick with me as a reminder to keep striving for more.
Now, after more than three decades of teaching, Mr. Mitchell will get to enjoy retirement. His interests in literature and drama will leave an impact on his students and his legacy will continue to live through Porterville High School. Mr. Mitchell, we appreciate you and everything you have done to support our Panther community over the decades. We wish you the best retirement, and hope you enjoy every second of your last year of teaching.
