Message Received

So this is why the 12 year old was so busy with my graphing calculator while I was tutoring her 14 year old sister! An example of the abuse that I endure for doing math with two precocious teens. =)

They are the girls that gave me the shirt from their New England tournament.

Salute to Coach Sanchez

Gladstone High's Albert Sanchez has been selected SGV Tribune's All-Area Football Coach of the Year (2012-2013).

Link to San Gabriel Tribune Article

AP Stats Shirts 2013

"We make a life by what we give." - Churchill.

Best Hair

I found this medal while cleaning my classroom. In 2010, one of the activities during the Renaissance Rally was for students to text and vote for "Teacher with the Best Hair". Naturally, I won during both rallies. Later, several badminton players/students told me that they texted over 30 times during the minute of voting. What amazing texting speed and not-so-amazing decision making abilities!

Happy New Year! Have a wonderful 2013!

Gifts from my TA's

Only from my two awesome TA's: a Hello Kitty hair brush and wallet. Naturally, they were wrapped in a box using duct tape, in a Victoria Secrets bag. Thanks, Joe and Moises (aka GHS Football League Champs!)

Box of Chocolate

A box of chocolate from a former Algebra 2 and current AP Statistics students. Thanks Marlene.  Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Tragedy in Newtown, CT

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Today is a very sad day as tragedy struck an elementary school in Connecticut.  My heart goes out to the families in this town.  At this time, the report is that 20 young students and 6 adults have lost their lives.  It is a heart breaking event.  I am humbled by the story of one teacher, Kaitlin Roig, at Sandy Hook Elementary who continued to protect her students under the most stressful circumstance.  She rushed her students into a small bathroom, locked the door, and told them that she loved them.  She said that if they were to die, she wanted the children to know that they were loved.  When the police arrived, she refused to open the door to avoid a potential trickery by a gunman.  She told the police to get the keys themselves, the teacher and her students were eventually rescued to safety.

Dice Collection (#12)

A 20-sided die inside a clear 20-sided die (icosahedron). Pretty cool.
(From CMC 2012.)

New Tee

Two of my private tutees are top ranked junior national level badminton players.  They just returned from a tournament in the East Coast with this gift for me.  Thanks Krista & Jamie!

Dice Collection (#11)

Chinese character dice! Way to represent. I have only two left. I gave one to each of my four private tutees: Krista, Jamie, Curtis, and Tim.
(From CMC 2012.)

CMC 2012

It was another fulfilling learning experience at this year's CMC math conference in Palm Springs.  On Friday morning, I attended two AP Stats sessions by Starnes.  While the first session involved much pure math at a high level, the second session provide me with more inference activities that I may use for my stats class.  I picked up many freebies at the lunch meeting for AP Stats teachers.  After lunch, I attended an engaging TI-Nspire session by Reardon.  The last session was by Cheng, who provided many ideas on re-booting our instructions to meet the new testing challenges.  As usual, my brian was fried by the evening.  To clear my mind, I ran 5 miles up and down the Palm Springs downtown.

On Sunday morning, I attended an Algebra session on using myths and fables to engage students.  Presenters Wolf and Maggiore provided scenarios more student participation.  The second session was an TI-Nspire activity by Godbold for AP Statistics.  Lastly, I attending Lim's math in TV and movies session.  It was a more relaxing way to end my attendance at this year's CMC conference.  As always, I strive to bring back what I can to benefit my students.

PS - 100% of the cost of this trip came out of my own expense.  I took a personal day off to attend Friday's sessions.

Hair Care

AP Stats student Adrian M. gave me this before my trip to the Palm Springs math conference. Thanks for the shampoo...I guess. =)

Bruin Open 2012

In my feeble attempt to balance my teaching and personal life, I've been trying to be more active over the past year.  A few weeks ago, I played in a badminton tournament at UCLA.  I have trained as hard as I could, with whatever time that I have given that I'm a 33 year old full-time teacher and part-time tutor.  I played well.  On Saturday, I won two rounds against two younger less experienced opponents.  On Sunday, I had to face two younger skillful players in the quarter and semi-finals.  They have been trained by coaches who were former Olympians.  I was fortunate to win in both close hard fought contests.  In the final, I lost to another young player.  I'm a little disappointed in losing the finals match, but am grateful that I played a good tournament and making it to the finals in a singles event for the first time.  I showed my silver medal to my students the following week and they were all very happy for me.  I strive to keep pushing myself physically as long as my body holds up.

Using Prezi & Other Web Tools (2012)

Prezi and Other Tech Tools 2012 on Prezi

Still Tutoring

A little less than a year ago, a friend at the badminton club asked if I would tutor his daughter in Geometry.  I had just finished graduate school and have stood firm on not coaching after school, so I agreed.  Just an hour a week with a smart, motivated, and respectful middle schooler.  It is at times the most fulfilling hour of teaching of my week.  Over the summer, her younger sister joined in to our sessions. We met twice a week, often on benches that are right next to the badminton courts where we play. Our sessions have continued as our school years began.  Another badminton friend asked if I would help her son prepare for his SATs.  I also agreed, knowing that he's a great kid and that I would be able to help him review some Geometry.  These three kids are three of the best students that I've had the pleasure to work with.  

In fact, I have respectfully declined other parents' requests for tutoring.  I simply teach enough hours as is during my week.  At the same time, I realize how fortunate I am to have the ability to say no.  I recall that when I started tutoring as a 14 year old kid, I would occasionally hope that my Saturday afternoon sessions would get cancelled so that I can have the day off.  Now, I look forward to the sessions.  I'm more experienced, I know how to better pace the tutorials, and am more comfortable working with teens in an educational setting.  I reflect on my roots as a tutor and find it a privilege that this role has stayed with me for almost 20 years.