Page 228 - PINE CREST 2015
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                 Q: YOU WERE A TEACHER BEFORE BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR.  WHAT EXACTLY MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A TEACHER?
                 A: I had a phenomenal experience here at PC, and that is what inspired me to become a teacher. A school allows you to be involved
                 in a variety of outlets for expression... There’s a sense of purpose and passion that people have for their subject matters, and the
                 desire to help people and grow a community.  That’s what I want for our teachers—to be here, to be invested, happy, positive and
                 encouraging... And being a part of that is something special.
                 Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
                 A: By far it’s interaction with students, it always has been.  The teachers and parents are great, but it’s the kids that inspire me...
                 because I went into teaching to teach and to be an advocate for kids.
                 Q: WHAT'S THE MOST SURPRISING^ THING THAT YOU'VE FOUND. COMING INTO THE UPPER SCHOOL?
                 A: Honestly the biggest surprise is that the kids are driving their own train more than I expected... I feel like in the Upper School
                 parents have realized that kids need to spread their own wings and go out on their own... And that’s a refreshing thing to see.
                 Q: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT YOU WOULD TELL US?
                 A: The advice would be that the sacrifice you make today, although it may be challenging, can reap so many more benefits later on.  I
                 don’t want any of you to look back on your time here and say, “I could have done more.”
                 Q: HOW IS STUDENT LIFE DIFFERENT THAN WHEN YOU WERE HERE?
                 A: I think things are more competitive now.  I think you all handle the high expectations well, however, and impress us time and time
                 again.
                 Q; DO YOU HAVE ANY TRADITIONS YOU HOPE TO BRING BACK?
                 A: We used to make homecoming floats, and they used to drive around the track, and the nominees for Homecoming Queen used to
                 be driven around in a convertible... But the floats were something that brought the grades together, and each grade level developed
                 their own... So that was something neat, maybe we could look at a way of doing that again... It was something that I definitely have a
                 lot of fond memories of.
                 Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON BRINGING A WEEK OF HOMECOMING BACK?
                 A: Yes, this year, unfortunately, we didn’t have a full week because of the SAT, but there’s no reason why we can’t have more festivities
                 and opportunities to show school spirit and have fun... cause I think you guys work really hard, and to have that release time and
                 ability to just let your hair down and have fun is really good for you!
                 Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS?
                 A: I have seen the school through the eyes of a student, a teacher, an administrator, a parent, and a faculty member’s son...and all of
                 those different vantage points have solidified my belief in and my love for the school. I hope that every single one of us realize how
                 truly lucky we are to be here.  I know that may sound cheesy, but I’ve worked in California in a low-income public school and it’s
                 very, very different... So I would just encourage everybody to get involved, take advantage of the resources we have, and be positive.
                 So be happy and understand how fortunate we are.  And believe me, as a student, I didn’t realize that... I get it, I get needing to get
                 away from Fine Crest and spreading your wings after graduation, but it really is a tremendous place, as graduates and alums realize
                 very quickly.





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