Tortosa teen teaches kids his age at Desert Sunrise High School

At age 17, Jonathan Fish earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Arizona State University.

A year later, the teenage phenom from Tortosa was teaching biology to freshmen at Desert Sunrise High School, some of whom were recovering credits and approaching Fish's age.

What was it like for Fish when he first entered the classroom as a teacher at the age of 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 considered returning to teaching, at least as a substitute.

“I have enjoyed watching my students grow and progress, especially when they are at a pivotal time in their lives,” Fish said.

Growing up in Maricopa in a family of high-achieving siblings, Jonathan is now working toward a master's degree in nursing to enter the medical field and perhaps one day become a doctor. He joins five other siblings, all in nursing training.

But first he must complete a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I'm hoping to get out of the country and maybe learn another language,” Fish said, adding that he doesn't yet know where the church will affect him.

After that, he hopes to graduate from nursing school and later apply to medical school, if he decides to do so.

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

Fish didn't take the conventional public school route in Maricopa. He studied online with Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning, a K-12 school, and graduated high school at age 15.

He followed the community college route, earning a scholarship from Choice Arizona. He then transferred to ASU and graduated a year ago with his 19-year-old brother, Adam, and 16-year-old sister, who are not studying to become nurses. When they graduate to become nurses, they will join two other siblings who are nurses.

Fish said that once he earns his master's degree in nursing, he hopes to work in Arizona or Texas, and would not mind working in Maricopa if a future opportunity arises.

He worked while in high school at the Copper Sky Recreation Center, eventually becoming the pool's head lifeguard. And for eight months, he worked at Dunkin' Donuts in Maricopa, working the counter as a cashier and making coffee.

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

When asked how he progressed quickly in high school, Fish credits his parents, Norm and Mary Fish.

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

Mishell Terry, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa Unified School District, called Fish a “high-flying kid” who left the district on good terms after teaching a full school year.

“I think he's just a go-getter who wants to get a nursing degree, and we wish him the best of luck,” she said.