Coach Vaz’s legacy lives on in both miles and memories

By Feature Editor Trisha Parikh & Staff Writer Jessica Cao 

  After 35 years at MSJ and more than four decades in education, P.E. teacher and AP coordinator Pete Vaz is retiring from full-time teaching. For students, Coach Vaz is inseparable from the MSJ gym — a familiar teacher that thousands of students have seen around campus since freshman year. For students like Senior Prajna Srikanth, his presence in many students’ schedules made him a cherished part of the high school experience at MSJ. “He made P.E. feel like more than just a required course and always had such great advice for his students,” she said.  For colleagues, Vaz is a part of a tight-knit community built on shared routines, inside jokes, and an understanding that teaching P.E. is so much more than just physical activity.

  Vaz first arrived at MSJ in the 1980s after he was approached by a substitute teacher at MSJ to apply for a Junior Varsity Boys basketball coaching position. Over time, he found himself enjoying teaching P.E. even more than coaching and ultimately, it became his career. “I flipped. I loved coaching more, and then [it] turned [into]I love teaching P.E.’,” Vaz said. 

  At MSJ, Coach Vaz found himself working closely with colleagues like PE teacher Stephanie Randazzo and principal Amy Perez, where long days at the gym became easier and often more enjoyable through camaraderie and mutual support. Vaz reflected that the culture at MSJ was one where he never felt like he worked for anyone, but rather with them. “Coach Vaz was my first friend at MSJ,” Principal Perez said, attesting to how he built meaningful connections with those around him.

  Although Coach Vaz witnessed major shifts in the P.E. curriculum throughout his career, his teaching style is rooted in meeting students where they are at, rather than imposing the same rigid expectations for everyone. He developed activities such as the dance unit and weekly mile runs to reflect this philosophy. The mile, as he’s always believed, is less about competition and more about a student’s personal progress and overcoming obstacles, encouraging students to track improvement and build confidence over time. He often recalls hearing from former students who once dreaded the mile that they now complete 10Ks and half marathons. “That’s kind of the whole point: to get them to buy into their own fitness at some level,” Vaz said. 

  Outside the gym, Coach Vaz serves as an AP coordinator, overseeing the organization of AP courses and exams for students. This is a role that requires close collaboration with administrators, College Board, and fellow staff members, and he appreciates the teamwork involved in organizing, scheduling, and supervising exams. Despite the logistical challenges, he finds the problem-solving aspect of the role very rewarding and plans to continue serving as the AP coordinator for MSJ after retirement.

  As he looks ahead, Coach Vaz plans to spend more time with his wife and grandkids, travel, and visit major sports venues, hall of fames, and presidential libraries. He expresses deep appreciation for the camaraderie he shared with colleagues at MSJ and how the relationships formed with fellow teachers made his career especially meaningful and enjoyable. Thinking back on his time at MSJ, his advice remains simple: take your responsibilities seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. “If you’re not having fun at your job, then that’s a problem,” Vaz said. Coach Vaz’s dedication to MSJ reflects how showing up, year after year, and doing work alongside people who share the same commitment is what builds something lasting.