As winter break approaches, students aren’t the only ones counting down the days. Teachers have their own traditions, stories, and seasonal memories. Some are heartwarming, some funny, but all are uniquely personal. Here are a couple of the memories our teachers had to offer.
Connie Tran, Upper School math teacher, has some trouble on the slopes one winter holiday. Tran recalls, “A couple of seasons ago, I started snowboarding with my brother and his wife, and before that, I’ve never been on a snowboard.” Before this, she hadn’t been on the mountain since skiing in middle school, and snowboarding is very different from skiing. Tran started on “the bunniest of bunny slopes”, receiving all sorts of suggestions from her sister-in-law. Despite all these instructions, Tran describes her experience as “standing up, and two seconds later falling down.”Yet , she didn’t give up. After “falling and falling” about 40 different times down the bunny slope, she triumphantly made it down.
Once finished with that run, her brother told her that she was ready for a blue run. Tran says, “I had no clue what I was doing, but my brother had done every course at the resort, so I trusted him.” As they take the ski lift over to their course, there’s a sign that says “for advanced skiers only.” Scared but encouraged by her brother, Tran began the course, only to look down and see it was full of moguls. Tran had no other choice but to fly down the mountain, which afterward, she discovered that her brother had taken her on one of the hardest trails, a black diamond. If you are ever scared to get on the slopes and start snowboarding, find comfort in Tran’s funny way of learning, knowing it’s ok to fall several times, as long as you get back up.
Daniel Gúzman, Upper School math teacher, has quite the heartwarming story. It is full of life, lights, and cozy nights. Gúzman recounted when his eldest son was born, and how right after, he and his family moved to Berlin. Gúzman says, “We moved there right during the winter season, so we got to go to all the Christmas markets. The lights were beautiful, and we had hot chocolate as we walked around.” The joys of children, family, and the charming Christmas markets of Germany all come together for one amazing memory.
If you want to be entertained, feel free to go and hear some of your teacher’s memories. Sharing memories that have shaped your life is a good way to reflect and enjoy the things that have happened, and an even better way to connect with your teachers.