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AnonymousHi Everyone!
My name is Mary Ann Parrille and I am a sixth grade teacher in Temple City at Emperor Elementary. I teach History, Science, and Writing to my students. This is my seventh year teaching and I couldn't be happier with my job. I teach at a wonderful school with an amazing principal, supportive staff, and awesome kids.
I grew up in Arcadia, a city known for its high asian demographic, among other things. Temple City also has a high number of students of asian descent. I have always enjoyed the diversity and span of cultures my upbringing and career have introduced to me. This summer, I had an opportunity to travel to Hong Kong for a week. Many ex-pats there call Hong Kong "China Light," because it is so easy for an English speaking visitor to get around. All of the signs are written in both Chinese and English, and the whole area is very modern. Transportation is very clean, efficient, and easy to use. This was my first time visiting anywhere in Asia and I loved every second of it. I am looking forward to learning more about east Asian countries, past and present. I especially want to learn about where China is headed on the world stage, and also what Korea might mean to the world in the future.
edited by mparrille on 9/26/2012
AnonymousHi,
My name is Vanessa Hadikusumah. I teach 9th grade English and English Language Development (ELD) at Temple City High School.
I have a multicultural background; my parents are Chinese and Japanese, I was born in Indonesia, and grew up in Temple City. Thus, I was raised with an amalgam of cultural practices and expectations. This instilled in me a heart for others also from "in-between" spaces. Seven years ago, I was hired to teach ELD. In spite of my Chinese background, I struggled in adjusting to the differences (behavior, academic, etc) of my immigrant students. It has been a challenging, but enriching experience, and I hope this class will help me to be more informed about, relate to, and better teach my ELD students.
AnonymousHi!
My name in Amy Barker. I teach second grade at Marengo Elementary School in South Pasadena. I have been teaching for 16 years, from grades K-2. My school has a large Asian population, and I am very excited to gain insight and more knowledge about Eastern Asian countries, the people, the different cultures and their history. I am also hoping that this class will help me better relate and serve my immigrant and ELD students. I have 3 other colleagues in this class, and we are already brainstorming some enriching lessons across the curriculum that we are really excited about.
AnonymousHello everyone!
My name is Tanya Lentz. I teach English and yoga at Metropolitan High School. Metropolitan is a small continuation school a stones throw from the Greyhound Bus station and in the heart of the industry and transforming arts district.
I am grew up on the small island of Maui in a diverse population heavily influenced by Asian culture. My sisters are hapa (half Japanese) and I grew up with a variety of Asian customs in our home. I am interested in Asian cuisine and cultural diversity. My students have not experienced many cultures and the more I learn the more I can share with them. I think we become better human beings the more of life we experience.
edited by tlentz on 9/27/2012
AnonymousMy name is Gabe Nichols and I teach World and US History at Edgewood high school in West Covina. Edgewood is an IB high school that just opened three years ago. This is my first year teaching high school. I taught 5 years at the middle school level. I am taking this course to expose me to what is currently happening in China. I'm tired of students asking and thinking that China is going to take over the world. I feel that China and the United States have a very important relationship with each other economically, so we both need each other. This is the area I hope to learn about with this class.
AnonymousHi,
My name is Julie Hong and I teach World history and Honors Social Science at La Canada High School. This is my second year teaching world history and my third year teaching HSS (World cultures/geography). I have had to self study for much of the things we talk about in class, and really look forward to adding onto my limited knowledge with the opinions and ideas of experts in the field.
AnonymousHello Everyone,
My name is Amy Herman and I have been teaching at the same school for ten years. I work in Woodland Hills at Taft High School and teacher in the History Department. This year I am teaching Honors World History, Government and Sociology/Psychology. I really love to teach and don't know what else I would do if I couldn't do this.
I decided to take this course because I have always been curious about Asian History and wish that I had a stronger background in this region. I find that the more I know about a subject the more interesting my teaching becomes. I still get excited to teach history and love when my students are not only learning but enjoying learning as well. I can't wait to share this information with them.
AnonymousHello All,
My name is Suzanne York and I teach 3rd grade at Sierra Madre Elementary School in the Pasadena Unified School District. I am looking forward to learning about East Asian history and contemporary issues that are increasingly more relevant to my own life and that of my students, especially in southern California.
AnonymousHello,
My name is Katherine Perry. I am a second grade teacher at Marengo Elementary School in South Pasadena. I have been teaching at Marengo for 7 years. I taught fifth grade for the first five years and second grade for the last two. I teach all subjects. Several children that attend my school have East Asian backgrounds. I thought it only right that I have more knowledge pertaining to East Asia being that so many of my students have roots there. Furthermore, I recognize that China is a strong, rising power. I know little about the area and want to learn more.
AnonymousHello Everyone!
My name is Maria Hernandez. I am an English teacher at Garfield Senior High School in East Los Angeles. I have been teaching at Garfield for five years, and I absolutely love the community that I serve! I am very excited to be enrolled in this class, and to be learning about Asia with you all.
AnonymousMy name is Deanne Sciarrotta. I am a Guidance Counselor at Temple City High School. We have a growing ELD population district-wide and many of our students are coming from East Asian countries. I was raised in the city of Temple City when it was predominantly caucasian and feel that I need to have a better understanding of my Asian students and also be able to respond as a professional to the cultural differences and concerns of our ever-changing community. I hope to take the information that I gain from this study to help facilitate understanding between cultures both in the schools and in the community at large.
AnonymousHello Everyone,
My name is Savay Lieu and I'm a ninth grade teacher at Temple City high school. I have been teaching for ten years and hope to continue my education through the students that I come into contact with. The topic of Asia interests me because it is a part of my past that I never really got a chance to learn about first hand. I came to the United States as a young boy and lost a large part of my identity. I'm what the history books refer to as generation 1.5. I'm not a real immigrant because I was young and easily got acculturated. I'm not really second generation due to the fact that my family and culture is of the old world. Whether, I'm first or second, or 1.5 is insignificant to me. I am just curious in learning more about the future of Asia and how it has evolved in the global discussion.
AnonymousHello,
My name is Laura Vaden and I teach Kindergarten at Marengo Elementary School in South Pasadena. I have taught primary grades for over 10 years. I just completed my Master's Degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Reading Instruction.
About 30% of my school population is Asian. I hope to better relate to my Asian students and their parents by taking this class. I am excited to learn about the economics and culture of East Asia. I feel like this class will broaden my world views and knowledge.
AnonymousHello,
My name is Martha Maitchoukow and I am originally from Venezuela, South America. I'm a 7th grade English teacher at Markham Middle School in Watts, Los Angeles. Even though, an Environmental Engineer, I have always been a teacher. I began teaching ESL. I am thrilled with this opportunity to take this class as it will expand my knowledge which I can share with my students. I have the previledge of having in my class the only Asian student we have at our school and he is happy that I am taking this class.
AnonymousHi Everyone,
My name is Noelle Fong and I've been teaching 1st grade at Marengo Elementary in South Pasadena for 7 years. I teach all subjects. In all honesty, East Asia has never been that exciting for me (other than traveling over there and eating tons, but history--no thanks), but I found our first class to be VERY interesting! I'm excited to see what this course holds and how I can incorporate it into my classroom.