Ms. Galicia, the new 10th-grade chemistry teacher in Room 201, has officially taken over for Mr. Hou, who previously held the position for a few years before leaving the school after the first semester.
Galicia started teaching her class at the beginning of the second semester after spending the first semester under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Rivera. During that time, many 11th graders valued her support, as she was always available to assist them, answering their questions and helping them understand difficult concepts.
How was your first year teaching so far? Do you enjoy it? Hate it?
My first year of teaching so far is challenging because I feel like every day, even if you're prepared, it won’t always turn out how you plan it, so there's some adapting to it.
How do you feel about your students? Are they rude? Respectful?
I think I got lucky because I feel like Mr. Hou left a foundation that students followed. Coming in was easy because there was a procedure, and I followed it.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? And why did you pursue being a chemistry teacher?
I most enjoy the student connection I built, as relationships are important to me. My favorite teacher in high school was my chemistry teacher.
What is something you wish more people knew about you?
I think that I’m really funny, and I think that students are not comfortable to joke around with me like that because I’m a new teacher.
What are you looking forward to next semester?
A new set of students because I feel like I came in taking Mr. Hou’s position, and I can’t wait to have a fresh start.
What do you plan to change in your teaching style next school year?
Definitely be more strict. I plan on being more strict and more focused next semester. I plan on implementing new rules that I feel would help students with focusing.
How was your experience working with Mr. Rivera impactful before having your own classroom?
He taught me a lot. From him, I learned that student connection is just as important as the content, and I learned how it helps manage the classroom and how to take leadership roles. He also gave me opportunities to give him my input a lot of the time, and we collaborated on most of the lessons. (AKA, he’s my bestie.)
Ms. Galicia has been a very good leader and role model for the students who have been lucky to learn from her and will continue to be for the upcoming 9th graders who will enjoy her work as much as she does. The current sophomores are lucky to have her, along with Ms. Miller - who is assisting Galicia as she trains to be a teacher - as a dynamic duo who will hopefully stick around Neuwirth for many years to come.
