Tortosa teen taught kids his own age at Desert Sunrise High

At 17, Jonathan Fish earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Arizona State University.

A year later, the teen phenom from Tortosa was teaching biology to freshmen students at Desert Sunrise High School, some who were recovering credits and approaching Fish’s youthful age.

What was it like for Fish when he first entered the classroom as a teacher at age 18?

“It’s a bit of a shock at first,” Fish said. “I wasn’t used to the different personalities you meet.”

But ultimately, he said he enjoyed helping students pursue their goals and is considering a return to teaching, at least as a substitute.

“I liked seeing my students grow and progress, particularly with how students are then at a pivotal point in their lives,” Fish said.

Growing up in Maricopa with a family of high-achieving siblings, Jonathan is now looking to earn a master’s degree in nursing to enter the medical field and maybe one day become a doctor. He joins five other siblings, all on the nursing tract.

First, however, he must complete a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I hope to go out of country and maybe learn another language,” Fish said, adding he did not yet know where the church would assign him.

After that he hopes to earn his nursing degree and later apply for medical school, should he decide to do that.

“For now it’s nursing and we’ll see how that goes,” he said.

Fish did not take the conventional public school route in Maricopa. He studied online with Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning, a K-12 school, and earned his high school diploma at 15.

He went the community college route, earning a scholarship from Choice Arizona. Then he transferred to ASU and a year ago graduated with his 19-year-old brother, Adam, and 16-year-old sister, who are also studying to become nurses. When they graduate to go into nursing, they will join two other siblings who are nurses.

Fish said once he earns his master’s in nursing, he hopes to work in either Arizona or Texas, and wouldn’t mind working in Maricopa, if a future opportunity arises.

He worked his way through high school at Copper Sky Recreation Center, ultimately becoming the pool head lifeguard. And for an eight-month stint, he worked at Dunkin’ Donuts in Maricopa, working the front counter as a cashier and made coffee.

Fish and his brother Adam are still lifeguards, and sister Sarah is a swimming instructor at Copper Sky.

Asked how he fast-forwarded his way through high school, Fish credits his parents, Norm and Mary Fish.

“My parents really pushed us when we were younger to accomplish a lot,” he said. “They motivated us and offered their help. I think a support system at home is always good for students.”

Mishell Terry, Maricopa Unified School District spokesperson, called Fish “a high-flying kid” show left the district on good terms after teaching an entire school year.

“I think he’s just a go-getter going for a nursing degree, and we wish him well,” she said.

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