SDUSD alum, now teacher, publishes first children’s book

As an anonymous story from a sixth-grade student was passed around, astonished teachers in the San Diego Unified School District grew eager to find out who wrote it.

The shy voice behind the page was a young Jason Hodel, just discovering a passion for writing. 

Today, Hodel is a substitute teacher at SDUSD. In May, he published his first children’s book, titled Axolotl Questions. Hodel said he’s always wanted to write children’s books, but other tasks took priority and washed away the idea. Once he introduced the idea to his students, their excitement sparked his own. 

“I didn’t think I would do it,” Hodel said. “I told some of the kids at school and they were really excited about it, so it helped me to have good rapport with the kids.”

Axolotl Questions follows two best friends, Axey and Axel, on an adventure to find lost treasure after discovering a mysterious ancient map. The story explores themes of true friendship and bravery and asks a lot of questions.

The road to writing children’s stories started at a young age for Hodel, who recalls being surrounded by artistic influences. His mom and grandmother are both painters, and the latter sold artwork to keep her family afloat. While he said he struggles with illustrations today, the writing is what came naturally early on. 

“I felt very inspired one evening and just went at it. I wrote the whole outline of the story,” Hodel said. “And then I’d wake up at midnight or 3 a.m. and for a few weeks I just kept adding things.” 

Mark Heinze, an English teacher for the district, has been a pillar of support for Hodel throughout his journey. Heinze first met Hodel when he was a student in his sixth-grade class. In Heinze’s eyes, he recognizes the moment of the anonymous student story being praised as the moment a quiet Hodel gained confidence. 

“He wrote a brilliant story, and I think it surprised him how well all of the teachers responded to it, and not knowing who it was,” Heinze said. “That gave him a little bit of confidence, and ever since then he’s not only written stories but drawn pictures to go with them.”

Heinze has been teaching for 34 years and describes the feeling of gratitude that comes with seeing students like Hodel succeed in the things they were passionate about when they were young. Heinze has supported multiple students in their journeys.

For Hodel, this stretched back before he became an author. 

After sixth grade, Hodel moved from San Diego to Idaho. From nearly a thousand miles away, Hodel put his writing skills to work and wrote letters to Heinze. At the time, change was an uncomfortable byproduct of moving. It wasn’t an easy stage to get through. 

“He wrote me letters saying he didn’t like it and wished he were back in San Diego, and I urged him to continue to stay in school and do his best,” Heinze said. “In the summer, my wife suggested, ‘Why don’t you have Jason come down and get him out of where he doesn’t like?’ and so I said, ‘Yeah, I don’t mind doing that.’”

As Hodel made visits in the summer, he quickly became a close family friend and role model to Heinze’s kids. 

Since the book’s release, Heinze has been promoting it and reminding Hodel of his dreams and talent. 

“He’s one of my very first students, and I’m just very proud of his effort,” Heinze said. “It’s always fun to see former students who have done great things with their lives.”

Axolotl Questions is available for purchase on Amazon and in person at Surf Diva Surf School & Surf Shop in La Jolla and Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town. A book signing will be held at Warwick’s in La Jolla on Oct. 5.