Sample Slide Deck

I am putting together a hard copy of my slide show. Using PowerPoint, I compiled a deck of slides that are representative of my instructions. Then, I saved the slides as JPEG files, reinserted them into PPT as smaller images and saved it again as a PDF. The result is anticipated to be a half-page size booklet of my slide deck. It was very difficult to pick out representative slides that can accurately summarize my daily instruction. Nonetheless, it's been an interesting experiment so far. I have not pick up the print-outs yet, I'll see how it turns out.

Name Tags

I don't remember where this idea came from. For the past year or so, I've been making name tags for the good people around me. It's a way to thank them for helping me build the brand of "Mr. Yip". The font and coloring scheme is definitely introduced to me by my friend Tan @ CopyCats DS. I would print the name (here, "Catherine" for example) and fit it in an acrylic frame. It's a way to counter those boring metallic/wooden name tags. Mostly, they've been given to school secretaries - they love them. I've given a few to teachers. It's my way to saying: "Thanks for being a part of Team Yip!" Recently, I've added a reflection. Currently, I'm working on a few for my friends. In case you're keeping scores, no one has yet won a Yippy and a name tag.

Getting Old

I turn 30 this week. My awesome roommate took me to a great Japanese restaurant Friday night along with his friend, we had a blast. My two best friends Cong and Sunny planned a dinner with me Saturday night at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Pasadena. It was much more extravagant than I really deserved, but the guys insisted as a way to combine the celebration with my TOY award. They didn't bring their wives when they picked me up so I really thought it was just the three of us. When we arrived, it was a surprise with seven other of my closest and dearest friends: Sunny and Cong with their wives Cathy and Kitty, my college roommate Mark, another college roommate Duy and his wife Mariane, a college friend/ex-coworker Jon Cue, and my actor/comedian friend Bryan. Even with all of the materialistic goods aside (best of food, drinks, gifts, atmosphere, etc.), it was the happiest time for me in a long time. We joked, debated, and laughed all night just as we always do.

With so much ups and downs for me professionally this year, I have spent very little time with my family and friends. At the end of the night, I told Cong that I'll re-evaluate where my life should go and how I want to be. As much as I strive to be the best teacher, I truly want to be a better friend to my friends. At Cong's wedding in August 2008, I was honored to be his best man. During my toast, I said that he's been a better friend to me than I have to him. It's been true. If I'll be so lucky to marry someone special one day, I hope he can say the same to me.

Keynote

One of the inspirations in my MacBook Pro purchase is to incorporate Keynote (Apple's presentation application) into my repertoire. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm working on it. While I think I will continue to use PowerPoint to present my lessons in the classroom, I strive to use Keynote to do presentations for adults. Currently, I am mind-mapping, trying to organize my contents into a coherent slideshow.

Balance

I have not been able to balance my role as a teacher and that of a runner. For the past couple of months, I have been teaching a CAHSEE workshop on Saturday mornings. We just wrapped up our final session last week, which would free up more time for me to run. While I'll miss the students and sessions on Saturdays, I do want my life back.

This picture is from my only race thus far in 2009 - Chinatown Firecracker 10K. 

And the Yippy goes to...

One of my proudest new features is the "Yippys". I give these "certificates" out to some of my coolest students. The categories are silly: for example, Smallest Handwriting, Softball Superstar, etc. This one is for a student who donated a lot of change for our Pennies for Patients campaign. The design of the certificate didn't take long, but to get it printed correctly caused some headache. I designed them in PowerPoint, used various apps to correct the logos, saved them in PDF, and sent them to Staples for print. It's funny how some kids are now asking me for a Yippy. I told them that I'll talk to the Yippys Award Committee...

Geometry Web Site

Using Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, I completed a website project. It took less time and effort than expected. I feel that I'm finally putting my MacBook Pro to some good use. Hopefully, I can keep the momentum going and continue to create more features using technology.

Check it out: Mr. Yip's First Website.

I especially thank Mr. O'Brien for his technical help (he is also a great teacher, good friend, and supportive mentor).

Pink Friday

Support public school teachers. Visit www.pinkfriday09.org. Let's make some noise.

Passion

Joanne, who is one of our wonderful office staff, walked by my room this gloomy Monday morning as she usually does each day. This time, however, she came in with tears in her eyes and just gave me a big loving hug. She said that this past Friday was just a Black Friday. We both knew exactly what was going on. We'll miss each other if and when I do indeed go. She mentioned that there are two teachers who shouldn't go and I was one of them, I didn't ask her who the other one was ... maybe I will when I have the chance. She told me that I was the best. I was a bit shocked when she told me how highly she thinks of me. It made my day! We had always been friendly, but I never expected her to think much of me. I saw her genuinely mixed emotions. In that moment, she showed more passion and spirit toward our school than I've seen in anyone else. Despite never having taught in the classroom, Joanne showed me today that she may well be the most passionate and caring staff on campus. She wants the best for our students. I comforted her and insisted that she go and have a great day. We saw each other briefly during lunch and had a quick laugh and chat. She apologized for her tears in the morning. Joanne - you never have to apologize for having passion for education. We love you, Jo!

New Challenge

Though I felt bad for leaving the profession in 04, I never regretted the decision. Two weeks after receiving the biggest recognition of my life, I was handed a "RIF" notice yesterday. This may be the true test of my drive to be a teacher. No matter what happens, I'll push myself to be the best teacher for the next three months.

These logos are used to engage my students - I do not profit from these designs.

The Yippys

Got a new idea today. Musicians get Grammys. Actors get Emmys. So naturally, my students will get Yippys. Currently, I'm working on the categories and the certificate...

Renaissance Rally

The Renaissance Rally today used the Pirates of Caribbean as a theme. It honored students with good GPAs. It's great that students' academic achievements are being recognized. I was also honored with a plaque...I'm still in some disbelieve of the recognition. The highlight was the skid with teachers dancing. Of course, I was one of those who participated, in both rallies. It was fun and embarrassing at the same time; I actually stayed up until midnight watching dance videos on YouTube the night before. I'll try to post the video if I can get a copy from one of my student's camera.

Save the Teachers

At another special board meeting last night, various teachers voiced our opinions on the budget crisis. In general, we are fighting against cutting teachers, increasing class sizes, and removing educational programs. It was uplifting to see awesome teachers express the same passion that I share. These are anixous times for educators, we are trying to stick together to get through this huge huddle. Judging from the closing comments from the meeting, I felt that cuts are inevitable. We just hope that teachers won't lose jobs.

These logos are used to engage my students - I do not profit from these designs.

It's official!

During our after school staff meeting Monday, I was presented with the Teacher of the Year honor by our principal. It is a moment that I have been preparing for since about a week ago. He asked how I felt during the moment of the announcement and I simply said that I was shocked but was very excited. After he gave me the certificate, I asked if I could thank a few people. I must admit that I was pretty calm. I thanked everyone for pulling for me, not just with their votes, but for their support during the past two and a half years. I congratulated Mr. Dolter and Ms. Curtis for their recognition. I expressed that there are great teachers at GHS and I strive only to be a part of the culture. Lastly, I thanked the math teachers for the wisdom that they've shared with me.  I name checked Ms. Kwak for her exceptional support as a mentor.

Responsibility

I now suddenly have a sense of responsibility that I didn't feel I had just a week ago. I feel a need to uphold a new level of standard, one set by the elite veteran teachers. This goes to show how amateur I still am, I should hold myself to the highest level of professionalism at all times. It's still all a learning process. After school this past Friday, I spoke separately with the Math and English department chair, both former Teachers of the Year and well-respected professionals within the district. I learned how much further and more challenging the upcoming path can be. Surviving the challenges of a new teacher is one thing, achieving longevity (with excellence) will be the next step. Approximately half of all teachers, as good as they may be, leave the profession within their first three years. Will I pass this test? 

These logos are used to engage my students - I do not profit from these designs.