Michael Buhl joined the faculty at Santa Fe High in 2022, teaching physical science, physics, AP Physics I, and AP Physics C.
Dr. Buhl graduated from U.C. San Diego. Since childhood, he has liked physics, math, and programming and said he has always been very good at them. In 1994, as a high school senior, he participated in the Science Bowl with his class. Even though they only received second place, he said the trophy meant a lot to him.
Throughout the years, he also earned master’s and doctorate degrees, all from U.C. San Diego.
Although he was born in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Buhl moved to Santa Fe when he was just one month old. (His parents and his brother still live in Santa Fe.)
From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Buhl taught physics in Ghana, a country in Western Africa. According to Dr. Buhl, Ghana has just three seasons: the wet season, the dry season, and the hot season. He said it was so hot there that “When you eat a cookie, you start sweating.”
“My house there had bats,” he continued, “and there was no electricity.”
Despite the fierce temperature, Dr. Buhl enjoyed being there. He said, “It’s very valuable to have the opportunity to live in a different country.”
Dr. Buhl came back to Santa Fe in 2008, and many things happened over the next ten years. During this time, Dr. Buhl worked for a start-up company. In the end, it didn’t work out well; there weren’t enough products. During the same period, he experienced tendonitis in his arms, and it was very harsh for him. He said the medical condition was a result of over-programming.
After his recovery, Dr. Buhl resumed his teaching career at Milagro Middle School, from 2019 to 2022.
Teaching is fun for him, and he likes it. He said, “I like working with young people, and young people have a lot of energy.”
Dr. Buhl graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1994. He said, “I…wanted to come back.” There are many things that he liked about Santa Fe High. To him, the school is a place where students have a lot of opportunities.
To Dr. Buhl, teaching at a school where he had once been a student is a very strange experience. He said, “There’s a lot that’s different and a lot that is the same,” adding that none of his previous teachers are still at the school.
According to Dr. Buhl, something that has never changed is how Santa Fe High does not have only one group of popular kids but a variety of groups. These groups all have their passions and activities. Also, all of the buildings are new, apart from the Activity Center and the Gym/Performing Arts buildings.
During his free time, Dr. Buhl likes to play games, especially fantasy role-playing games. One of his favorites is Dungeons and Dragons. He also enjoys listening to music. “I listen to a lot of goth and punk stuff,” he said.