Shark Scholar
Highlights

New teacher’s questionnaire

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The new academic year brought many teachers from all over the world to SMIC-I for the first time. Get to know the new members of the Shark family with our new teacher questionnaire below!

New teacher questionnaire

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  2. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  3. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  4. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  5. Do you have any hobbies?

 

Michael Agliata

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from the United States. I was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. I teach AP Economics, AP Research, Economics, and Personal Finance.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I moved to Shanghai from Rome, Italy where I was a middle school mathematics teacher and the mathematics coordinator at an international school.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • SMIC-I has made a great first impression. The staff is welcoming, and the students are wonderful.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • Teaching is actually my second career. I always say I got jealous of my mother and my wife when they spoke of the great experiences they were having with their students.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • I like to play with my children, read, listen to music, watch sports, and play trombone.

 

Holly Olson

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from the United States.  I grew up in Arizona but most recently moved from Wyoming. I teach Grade 10 World Literature, Accelerated World Literature, and AP Literature.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I worked at the American School of Kuwait as a grade 12 English and AP Capstone teacher.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • The students are so warm, friendly, and respectful and hardworking!
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I enjoy seeing the “aha” moments on my students’ faces and showing how students can apply the skills they are learning outside of the classroom.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • I, of course, enjoy reading. I also love travel, exploring Shanghai with my girls, and baking.

 

Kristen San Antonio

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I’m originally from Seattle, WA. I teach 9 Accelerated Western Literature, 12 British Literature, and Digital Journalism.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I worked at Davy College in Cajamarca, Peru. I taught English and Theory of Knowledge.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • The school is full of very kind and academically serious students. The teachers are devoted and intelligent.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I’ve always loved reading books.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • Writing poetry.

 

Kristian Dumicic

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I was born in Croatia but moved to New Jersey when I was 10. I taught elementary for 13 years. and now I’m teaching middle school math.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I worked in a few different places. I worked in Seoul, Korea, Taipei, Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Santiago, Chile.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • I thought the people were very kind and helpful. I felt welcomed.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I realized that I have a way to make connections with the students, and I enjoy being a leader and mentor.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • I sure do. I love playing sports. I would say that basketball stands out from all of them because it relaxes me, so does being out in the nature enjoying activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, etc. Also, I’m trying to get more interest into photography too.

 

TaShawndra Govan

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from a small town in North Texas called Vernon.  I facilitate the 9-10 grade Life Skills course, and I am a high school counselor.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • Before coming to SMIC-I, I was the K-12 School Counselor and Admissions Director of the American International School of Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • First impressions were that everyone I came into contact with was extremely nice and helpful. I thought the staff was very diverse which is nice. I also thought, “Geez this school is huge.”
  1. Why did you choose to be a counselor?
  • I started off as an ELA teacher and quickly recognized that several of my students needed guidance and advice outside of academics. The school I worked in didn’t have a school counselor which I thought was a shame, so students began to seek me out to talk about personal things.  Many of the students didn’t feel they had an adult they could talk to, get advice from, or lean on ,and I wanted to be that for them, but I wanted to do it the right way. So, I went back to school, took the psychology courses I needed, and then applied for grad school.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • My hobbies include traveling; I try to visit 3-4 countries a year. I also like working out and staying active. I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I also like “thrifting” and revamping old furniture and giving it a new life.

 

Simon Pang

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from Hong Kong, but I have been living in China for the last 10 years. I am currently teaching Nutritional Science, Health, and PE.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I was working for the China Rugby Union as the Youth Olympic rugby team coach.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • Not my first impression since I have worked here before.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I enjoyed working with young people, and I enjoy learning. I think you are always learning when you are teaching.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • Of course. I love rugby obviously, and I can’t wait for the rugby world cup in Japan next year. I also enjoy scuba diving, and I recently became a certified rescue diver.

 

Dewayne Jones

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from Texas, but I have been in Shanghai now for the past 10 years so I consider Shanghai my home now. I am teaching math (Accelerated Algebra 2 and Geometry) and am currently the department head in MHS.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • Before coming to SMIC-I, I worked at Sino-British College where I taught mainly engineering mathematics.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • My first impression of SMIC-I is that the students are amazing. This is the first place I have worked at where all the students are engaged and seem to be intrinsically motivated to learn.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I became a teacher because when I was in high school, I had an amazing math teacher who took me under her wing and really invested in my life. I actually called her “grandma” because of the relationship that was developed – partly in jest, but in respect as well. Anyway, she made such a great impression on my life that I wanted to emulate her example and follow the same path.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • As for my hobbies, I loved to read fantasy novels. My favorite authors are Brandon Sanderson and Robin Hobbs just to name a few. I also enjoy playing role-playing games such as the Final Fantasy series. I am old enough that my first video game was the original Final Fantasy that came out on the NES system.

 

Kevin Olson

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I am from Wyoming in the US, and I teach Video Production.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I taught at the American School of Kuwait for two years before coming to SMIC-I.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • My first impression of SMIC-I is that it is a tight community full of teachers, students, and faculty who genuinely care about each other.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • I am a 3rd generation teacher. My grandmother was a teacher, and both of my parents were teachers, so you could say it’s genetic. I had many wonderful teachers growing up, and I decided that I wanted to spend my life working to give students those same positive and memorable experiences that I had in school. The teacher/student bond and relationship is very special, and forming those bonds with students around the globe has been, and will continue to be extremely rewarding.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • My hobbies are traveling with my family, documenting those travels with video and photography, snowboarding, and seeking out unique and authentic experiences in the new countries we live in.

 

Temple Davis

  1. Where are you from and which subject do you teach?
  • I’m from the United States, and I am a Middle School Writing Specialist.
  1. Where did you work before you came to SMIC-I?
  • I have spent most of my career teaching high school English, but last year I taught second grade ELA in the Chinese Track.
  1. What was your first impression of SMIC-I?
  • This year I was struck by several first impressions of SMIC-I. First, the remodel of the MHS looks great. I love the bright colors, and the murals on the third floor are beautiful. What an amazing transformation from last year! Second, the students here are incredible. I work with seventh and eighth graders, and they know how to have fun and how to work hard.
  1. Why did you choose to be a teacher?
  • Teaching is my second career. My first career goal was to work for an advertising agency. I accomplished that goal, but after a few years, I found that the job was not fulfilling. I wanted to spend my days doing work that was more meaningful. That is why I went back to school and became a teacher.
  1. Do you have any hobbies?
  • I have many hobbies including reading great books, exploring the world, and practicing yoga.

 

Featured Image – Collage of teacher photos courtesy of Michael Agliata, Holly Olson, Kristen SanAntonio, Kristian Dumicic, TaShawndra Govan, Simon Pang, DeWayne Jones, Kevin Olson, and Temple Davis