Recently, the ASB advisor position for the 2026-27 school year opened up for FHS staff to apply, following world history teacher and ASB advisor of nine years Jeff Kakes’ decision to leave the role for the coming school year. Timna Naim is the current ceramics teacher at FHS, as well as a working artist and professor at San Jose State University. On March 26, 2026, it was formally announced that Naim was selected as the new ASB advisor for the 2026-27 year.
According to Naim, the application process for the ASB teacher position was straightforward. Teachers were notified via email that an opening was available, and interested staff members applied accordingly. Although Naim mentioned that they initially had no intention of applying for the role, encouragement from FHS senior and ASB student Rishav Singh led them to reconsider.
“I had thought about [advising] ASB leadership when I started teaching here at Fremont years and years ago,” Naim said. “[However] I was very busy, always got plenty to do, so I didn’t really think about taking on more responsibility. [But now] I thought it would be an interesting way to kind of integrate some of what I really liked about my classroom, which was getting people inspired and making things and working collaboratively, and then doing it on a much bigger scale in leadership.”
After voicing their interest for the position, Naim met with the current ASB teacher Kakes and assistant principal Andy Walzack — who works closely with the ASB class — for an interview. They discussed Naim’s motivations for applying as well as the structure and expectations of the class. This was done in order to evaluate possible candidates and determine if they are fit for the role. Once Naim was chosen for the role, they, along with the new ASB cabinet immediately began the selection process of students for the new class.
“The transition has been really seamless,” FHS junior and ASB cabinet member Joshua Charnota said. “Both Mx. T. and Mr. Kakes made it really clear [that] they want to support the class as they make the change, and are willing to make whatever change is necessary to do so.”
As the selection process concluded, Naim and the new ASB cabinet began brainstorming ideas and goals for the upcoming year.
“I really want more posters,” Naim said. “I really want more art around campus. I’m working on expanding, and this is something new… like a volunteer registry for ASB, so kind of getting a list of people who are interested in being a part of poster making, events, organizing. Oftentimes it’s a struggle because there’s a lot more to do than there are people.”
Charnota also mentioned additional goals the new ASB cabinet have been ideating. Specifically, the new cabinet wants to emphasize the expansion of ASB’s connections and outreach to a wider range of student-led programs across the school.
“While I don’t want to give too much away, we’re working on restructuring for efficiency and streamlining the connection process, both within ASB itself and with the student body,” Charnota said. “We know communication has been lacking in previous years, so we’re excited to start this new step towards a more efficient ASB.”
