The 2025-2026 school year has started off by welcoming a new interim Leadership teacher, Mark Racioppo, better known by his students as “Coach Mark,” to Miramonte. Cassi Porter, the main leadership teacher, is on maternity leave until November, so Racioppo has taken her place until then.
Racioppo is a Miramonte alumnus, graduating from the class of ’84. He also has a history of coaching track at Las Lomas, but this is his first time teaching Leadership.
“Compared to when I was a student, the level of interest, ideas, and engagement in spirit is way higher than it used to be,” Racioppo said. “While teaching Leadership here, I have noticed the students are super energized, and put their ideas to work to make the school a more inclusive and engaged space.”
While Racioppo is subbing for the Leadership class, he continues to enforce the goals and values of Porter, making sure the students are all on task and productive at the same time.
“I personally really enjoy Coach Mark as a teacher for our class; however, he teaches very differently compared to how Ms. Porter taught the class last year,” sophomore and Leadership student, Davis Gordon, said. “Ms. Porter acted as more of a class supervisor and let the ASB lead the class, whereas Coach is more involved in decision making and making sure we are all on task.”
“He [Racioppo] is learning as we go, just like the rest of the students, whereas Ms. Porter knew the layout of everything so she was more prepared in that sense,” senior and ASB leader, Camilla White, said.
Although Racioppo teaches the class a little differently, he is very optimistic and loves showing school spirit and dressing out.
“I am so grateful he is just as enthusiastic as Ms. Porter because it makes my job as ASB much easier,” White said.
Normally, during Leadership class, Leadership students work to plan upcoming events, manage projects, and overall spread positivity and spirit. Now, they continue to do the same, as well as planning events for commissions, fundraisers, upcoming football games, and Miramonte’s 70th anniversary of Homecoming!
