Mr. Choi is the quintessential teacher that everybody would want at some point in their life. If you’re looking for inspiration, you turn to Mr. Choi for advice. If you’re looking for wisdom and a person with a big heart, you turn to Mr. Choi as well. If I had a teacher like Mr. Choi, perhaps my self esteem would have been better in middle or high school.
That’s beside the point. My first year at Rise was pretty rough, but it was nice having teachers like Mr. Choi always be helpful when I had a question or needed someone to vent to in particular. He was a shoulder to cry on, and he would especially be an amazing colleague for years to come.
It was equally as amazing being in the same grade level with him last year. We bounced off one another in a good way, and the balance of good and evil worked out with us counter-balancing each other. My grade level’s not so strong anymore with the removal and additional of certain persons, but I’m glad Sam is still there for emotional support.
His lessons are inspiring. His ability to connect to students is awesome. I went into teaching with the same mentality as him, that I would nice to the kids and everything would all work out. Whereas niceness never really worked out for me, it did for him. Somehow, his personality is endearing enough to even work out with the kids, as he has commanded a high level of respect throughout the years.
I’m glad to have observed his brilliant lessons, and I’m saddened that one day our experience working together will end.
As I said before, we are a highly contrasting pair, him being endearing and loving to students, and me being mostly hateful to them. At the end of the day, the goal is to make sure students learn, which he has done a satisfying job of accomplishing.
I hope we continue to be friends, as we go to crappy BBQ places like Gus’s BBQ (which pale in comparison to Phil’s BBQ).
As you can see in the picture above, he clearly looks disappointed with his food. I’m hoping this year turns around for him and he has an amazing pre-traveling year of teaching. He deserves it.
