Evelyn Pineda-Dugay, who worked at UCLA ECE for 23 years, said on Friday that Rodriguez taught both of her children and is “one of the most joyous people” she knows. She described him as very calm and gentle, often hosting potlucks for their colleagues.

She said it’s been five years since she has worked with Rodriguez and he last taught her two children in 2009 and 2014. As a mandated reporter, she said if she saw someone do something to a child, it would be her duty to report it.