Jeff Sandstoe / Roundup
Edward Mazeika braved the sweltering spring heat to teach his first class at Pierce.
Opening the door to his classroom, he was hit in the face by the hundred-plus degree heat.
Legions of flies circled overhead in the un-airconditioned room. The stench from the nearby cows only added to the horrific experience.
The new instructor at Pierce stood there and thought to himself, “What the heck have I gotten myself into?”
Inbetween two bookshelves filled with hundreds of books encompassing many different fields of Psychology, sits Mazeika, reclined in his quiant office in the Behavorial Science Building as he recalls his first time teaching at Pierce.
“That was my first expeirence [at Pierce],” said Mazeika “…I transfered from West [West Los Angeles College], which I liked, but I was looking for a change, and I had moved out to the Valley.”
“It was quite an adventure.”
He is encircled by his multiple “Golden Apple” awards of recognition, presented to him by the Alpha Gamma Sigma society. Next to him on his desk is a photo of the loves of his life— his wife Sydney, and their two Golden Retreivers: Maddi and Mickey D.
Mazeika, professor of psychology, has been teaching at Pierce for the past fourteen years, and in the Los Angeles Community College District for 33 years.
A California born native, he considered himself a poor student during his days back at Culver City Highschool.
“I was not a naturally gifted student,” said Mazeika, “My highschool counselors told me not to go to college, because I’d flunk.”
“I didn’t have skills to be a carpenter or an auto mechanic. And I didn’t want to go in the Army, so I went to community college….and I took Psychology courses,” noted Mazeika on his major choice, “I loved the idea of learning about myself and other people…but I thought that maybe I would just get a Bachelor’s Degree.”
Mazeika did go on to earn his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Cal State LA, but his appetite for eductation didn’t end there.
At the age of 23, Mazeika earned his Masters degree from Pepperdine University, and by 29, he earned his Doctorate degree from USC.
While he is retiring from teaching full-time, Mazeika says he will still be teaching his favorite course: Psychology 13 – Social Psychology
Having been chairman of the department in previous years, as well as serving on five seperate tenure review committees, free time has been few and far between for Mazeika.
“I like the idea of not being on so many committees,” said Mazeika.
He has big plans now that all of his time won’t be spent at Pierce. Like many, travel lies high on his agenda, he has future trips planned to both Australlia and New Zealand, as well as possibly visiting St. Louis to visit his favorite professional football team, the Rams.
Another thing that he is planing on doing is training his beloved dogs. His wife Sydney has already trained their dog, Maddi, to be a therapy dog. They take Maddi to various senior retirement and nursing homes to help out senior citizens.
“The residents just light up,” he said, “They just love Maddy.”
His focus will be on training their second dog , Mickey D., to also become a therapy dog. Although he admits that this might prove to be a little bit difficult because Mickey D. is a rescue dog and “a bit of a maniac.”
Mazeika noted on how petting dogs can be therapeautic for older people sufffering from motor problems.
Also, he plans on renewing his “marriage family therapy license,” volunteering at places such as the Simi Valley Free Clinic and working on his gardening skills.
“I want to improve my tomato crop…I love making home made salsa, it’s one of my favorite things. I might enter in a couple contests for fun.”
Fourteen years ago, Mazeika asked himself what he got himself into. Now, as he retires from his full-time position he has his answer.
Edward Mazeika has been teaching Pierce for the past fourteen years. And in the Los Angeles Community College District for 33 years. Although he is retiring as a full-time teach, he will be teaching Psychology 13 – Social Psychology part-time. (Victor Stephen Kamont / Roundup)
