Sam Choi is the teacher of the year, and my personal hero and co-worker at Rise Kohyang Middle School.
Good evening friends, family, and admirers. I am happy to be receiving this award that has been very long overdue. Fortunately, my patience had held steady over the past two stressful years at this school and now everyone is starting to finally recognize my brilliance. I humbly accept this award.
Although it took three quick and easy years to master my teaching practices and the Tranielson Framework, this journey would not have been possible without the support of others. They have pushed me towards greatness like the cilia of the fallopian tube pushing the ovum towards the uterus to be fertilized (looks like my science studies are paying off). I’d like to take a moment to share with everyone who these people are so that they can also be recognized.
To start, my RIP list; those who are not here in this room with us but have left a significant impact on me like an invasive species does to an ecosystem:
Nathaniel Hanna: Thank you for being the best department lead I’ve ever worked under. Ever since you left, things have never been the same. I miss your hugs, your bellowing but melodic voice, and your company. You were the only human to understand me.
Elizabeth Lee: The one who got away… but that’s okay. I learned a valuable lesson when you left my life: my work life is way more important than my potential love life. My kids now appreciate the amount of time I can dedicate to them instead of trying to pursue romantic dreams. Also, thank you for being my rant partner. I love complaining about this school and you were one of the best at it.
Naomi Kohl: haters only make me want to work harder. You were my number one hater at this school, but that just made me work harder when I didn’t have to work under you. I really shouldn’t be thanking you since I became brilliant after leaving supervision.
Christine Snyder: best mentor ever. #Snyder2028
Now to the rest of you losers.
Kyle Johnson: best GLC ever. You have been with me since day one and I respect that. We’ve been through a lot of bullshit that this school throws our way, yet we are still here. I look forward to the day we both successfully take over this school and show everyone how to run the mother fucking show.
Eliza Kimly: best principal ever. You are more like a close friend that I can joke around with than a superior who I have to work under. I appreciate that you are able to handle my sarcastic and dark sense of humor, unlike a few sensitive coworkers at our school. Maybe you should fire them. Also, thank you for marrying a Vietnamese man. It gives me hope that I can one day find my future wife that is Korean and a principal.
Guillermo Gonzalez: even though I have not met you or Pablo yet, I just want to give you props for dealing with him.
Anoli Patel: best mentor and Indian ever. Honestly, you are the biggest influence in my growth as an educator. You pushed me to do challenging activities like Fish Bowls and Socratic Seminars to really elevate the engagement and rigor in my classroom. Our school has been blessed with an Academic Dean with your level of experience and knowledge of great classroom practices.
If you weren’t mentioned, it’s honestly because you didn’t do anything to help me when I was stressed out. Or it’s because I think you suck as a teacher. It’s really not that hard to take accurate attendance or differentiate for all students. Get with it; using your inexperience isn’t an excuse if it took me three years to win this award.
