Keychain from Kyrgyzstan

This is truly one of the coolest gifts ever. I've had the pleasure of tutoring Tim for the past two years. He's currently taking Calculus AB. Tim is a well-rounded scholar athlete with a great sense of leadership. This summer, he led a missionary project for his church by volunteering his time to coach badminton - in KYRGYZSTAN!!! He told me that he stayed at a run-down apartment and coached two 3-hour sessions of badminton each day to 90 players. The group didn't always have enough equipment, but Tim said he had the experience of his life. Today, Tim gave me this model key chain of a traditional Kyrgyzstan hut. What an amazing young man!  Thank you, Tim.

From Boston

On August 20th, 2014: I enjoyed a wonderful first day of school. To top it off, I received a beautiful gift from teacher-friend Major Merz. He brought this back from his visit back home over the summer. Thank you so much Major Merz; I will add this to my classroom in 2014.

TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition

I just picked up a new tool for the 2013-2014 AP Statistics class. It's a graphing calculator with color/backlit display and a built-in rechargeable battery.

Link Crew 2013-2014

Link Leader shirt 2013-14. I designed the shirt this year. Again, Mr. C. led an amazing freshmen orientation this year. Our Link Leaders are the best!

Lucky Keychain

I'm fortunate to have been tutoring many great students this summer.  One of my newest students, Erin, was a national level figure skater from Beijing.  She gave me this elegant keychain that she brought back from Taipei. She said that the red symbolizes having good luck in finding love. The keychains also come in yellow (for money), brown (for inspiration), and orange (for wisdom). Erin said to me: "When you have lots of money, you'll also have love."  So funny.  Thanks, Erin.

A Surprise Gift from a Graduate

I am so grateful for this. What a wonderful way to close the school year. Jayleinna, thank you and congratulations.

Congrats to c/o 2013!

GHS Graduation for c/o 2013 will be Thursday, June 6th 2:30pm @ APU.

Senior Awards Night 2013

It's my honor to be in a room full of the best students, parents, and educators.  Senior Awards Night is one of my favorite events of the year.  This year, I awarded the Statistics Excellence Award to Adrian Magallanes.  He's an intelligent and mature student who will be attending the University of Washington in the fall.  He plans to study aerospace engineering.  My favorite memory of Adrian was on the day when he gave me a gift.  Adrian gave me a bottle of shampoo.  (Photo by Ms. A. Kwak).

Statistics Excellence Award:
2013 Adrian Magallanes
2012 Nabria Reeves
2011 Ke Wei

Teacher Appreciation Week 2013

Last week, in addition to receiving breakfast from the ASB, I also received a coffee gift card as a part of Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you!

Coincident Cupcake?

Friday after school, a student stopped by my classroom to submit some assignments. He gave me one of his birthday cupcakes. It's also the end of a grading period. Coincidence?

Gift from My Parents

My father, who recently retired, took my mom to Asia for a long and well deserved vacation.  They brought back this magnet for me.  It resembles the traditional street signs in Hong Kong.  "No. 1" means "number one" in Hong Kong's British English.  While I'm no "number one" teacher, it's reassuring that my parents know what I do as a profession.

More GHS T-Shirt

On a Friday, I bought my two helpful T.A.'s breakfast. They have been awesome all year, saving me many hours of work. At lunch, they came back and gave me this cool shirt - adding to my GHS shirt collection. Thanks Joe and Moises.

Lets Get Together

I just had dinner with my former high school badminton coach on Wednesday night of our spring break.  On Thursday night, the roles was reversed.  My former students and badminton players invited me to dinner.  It's such an honor.  All of these students are now attending college.  I had a great time.  Thanks Valerie, Itzel, Jocelyn, Kalene, Elida, and Tony (who set up the invite) for adding to my spring break fun.  My belly still hurts from eating and laughing so much.

GHS Dance Team

I'm a proud supporter of our awarding-winning GHS Dance Team. Just a group of kind, creative, and energetic kids who do what they love, and love what they do. They often steal the show at our school rallies.

Surprise Visitors

Two former students and badminton players paid me a surprise visit on a Friday afternoon. What a way to kick off spring break! Thank you, Elida Mendez and Tony Stark. You guys are so sweet.