Mrs. Aldemir:
Q: What are some of the most memorable moments of your teaching career?
A: Field trips to Olvera Street & Old Town San Diego, lunches with friends, teaching things that the kids wouldn’t learn anywhere else. I love the Chicano Movement.
Q: What has been the best part of being a teacher?
A: The kids, for sure.
Q: What advice would you give to new teachers?
A: Find a mentor – you need help at the beginning. Wait until you have tenure, then speak up for things that matter on campus.
Q: What is one thing your students probably don’t know about you?
A: I was born at Camp Pendleton.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Mission?
A: Travel, learn more Turkish, cook more, go to the gym more, Ancestry, and a bunch of other stuff. I’m ready!
Mr. Salgado:
Q: What are some of the most memorable moments of your teaching career?
A: Some of the most memorable moments were watching my students do a scavenger hunt at school using the concepts and principles they learned in class. Also seeing how they did a restaurant presentation in class as they wrote their own menus and scripts for the role-play of a scene at the restaurant in Spanish. Learning and fun can go together! It has also been memorable connecting with students who have immigrated to the US from another country just as I did in my own life; through my life experiences I have been able to motivate and encourage them in their own journeys in a new environment and country and they know I understand the unique challenges they face.
Q: What has been the best part of being a teacher?
A: The best part of being a teacher is watching my students grow and learn Spanish. In addition, they also have a better understanding of the cultural differences between the Hispanic and American culture.
Q: What advice would you give to new teachers?
A: My advice to a new teacher is to find a mentor that is going to guide and support him/her when they feel that things are a bit challenging. It is also very important that they take care of their physical and mental well-being.
Q: What would you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: One of many greatest achievements is the influence that I had on two of my students that became Spanish teachers too. Along with that is the numerous students who still come back to Mission to check in and update me on their life and their accomplishments and to check how I am doing.
Q: What is one thing your students probably don’t know about you?
A: My students don’t know that for over ten years or so, every two weeks I go to the Red Cross and donate platelets and plasma to help cancer patients. [Another] thing that my students don’t know is that I studied martial arts for 27 years and that I hold a fourth-degree black belt in Kempo karate.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Mission?
A: The plan is to slow down, relax and appreciate the little and big moments in life. I am looking forward to more time with family and friends, riding my motorcycle for long rides, and traveling with my wife!
Ms. Gawel
Q: What are some of the most memorable moments of your teaching career?
A: The fun activities and games, hearing my students using the language, cultural lessons, making crepes, hosting exchange students, taking students to plays, Cirque du Soleil, and French restaurants.
Q: What has been the best part of being a teacher?
A: Influencing and supporting students, making learning fun and interesting.
Q: What advice would you give to new teachers?
A: Find something you like about every student.
Q: What would you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Bringing a bit of the Francophone world to every student in my classroom and always being a patient and understanding person to all my students.
Q: What is one thing your students probably don’t know about you?
A: I met many heads of state in my previous career prior to teaching.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Mission?
A: Not setting an alarm! Traveling to Quebec. Skiing – I just bought an unrestricted Ikon Pass.
Ms. Bierbaum
Q: What are some of the most memorable moments of your teaching career?
A: I remember a long time ago when I was sharing with my students my “Rock Rock” philosophy (tackle life’s challenges one step at a time), they informed me that they had started a Facebook page where they listed many of my sayings, calling it “Bierbaum’s Rock Rock Philosophies…” Those are the little things that make teaching fun and worthwhile.
Q: What has been the best part of being a teacher?
A: The best part about being a teacher is when I feel that I have made an impact on the lives of my students in a positive way. I have tried to fortify my students in preparation for life so that when they have a dream, they have the confidence to go for it, and the potential to be successful. I try to impart life lessons ( just ask them about all of my stories, lol) and it makes me happy to know that perhaps one day some of my philosophies or wisdoms will help them in some way.
Q: What is one thing your students probably don’t know about you?
A: Something many of my students might not know is that teaching here is my second career, and that before I married and started a family I was a very successful ballerina. I was born in Montreal, trained there, danced with a large ballet company, one of only 3 in all of Canada, and have traveled and danced in many places around the world. I had a roller skating accident and was told it would take me two years to heal. When I was on vacation In California, I met someone, fell in love, and decided to marry and stay in San Clemente, California. There were no large ballet companies here in Orange County, so when my leg healed I met a dance instructor in San Juan Capistrano and he taught me how to teach ballet. I really enjoyed teaching, so I then went on to UCI, and then to Chapman to earn my teacher credential. I earned 3 degrees, so I was able to teach French, English, and also start an ROP Dance program here at Mission in 2003. I also taught ballet, my first passion, in Laguna Beach for 18 years after school.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Mission?
A: After leaving Mission I will be on a plane in 6 days to Canada to see all of my family and attend my niece’s wedding in Toronto. I intend to continue to travel often after that! I love to play golf and never have time to play as much as I like, so after I retire [I] will golf golf golf and go to the beach, read books, hike a lot… I’d like to learn to speak Spanish, so I will start a course soon. I will miss many many of my students here. You are the BEST part of teaching.
