This week's Student of the Week is Sarina S!!
I have spent so much time with Sarina over the past 3 years: PreCalculus 10, PreCalculus 11, PreCalculus 12, Calculus 12, CS student, Peer Tutor. It's a wonder we aren't sick of each other yet! But we aren't (well, at least, I'm not!!). She's (still!) one of those people who puts a smile on my face the moment she walks into the classroom... doesn't even need to say a word. Way back when Sarina started this "joke" (I think it was a joke. Maybe she actually thought it was my name at first!) of calling me "Mr. Large". I didn't think it was fair for her to butcher my name, and thus was born my alternate name for her: Sabrina!! So if you ever hear me calling her that (often!) don't be alarmed. I DO know her name (after teaching her 6 times, I BETTER know her name!). When Sabrina was my CS student she made a rather silly mistake one day. I can't remember what it was (perhaps she will remind me) but everyone was chuckling about it (and, undoubtedly, I was being downright obnoxious). I tell this story not to ridicule Sarina but because it points to two of her best qualities: Sarina has a great sense of humour and Sarina has the ability to laugh at herself. No wonder I like spending time with her so much! I remember when Sarina started Peer Tutoring in my Math 8 Core class last year. It was relatively late in the year (maybe January?) and it was apparent that Sarina was a little intimidated / overwhelmed. I was so impressed how she forced herself outside her comfort zone to initiate support for the students. She made so much improvement (in her own tutoring and in the grade 8's math). I was so proud of her! Sarina is a quiet person. Everyone is probably aware of that. But what they might NOT be aware of is that Sarina is an AMAZING Math student. You will never hear her boasting about it but she is top-notch! I bet if I asked you all to rate the top 5 Math students in grade 12 she would not be on everyone's list but I assure you that she SHOULD be. What makes her such a great Math student you ask? Sarina shows great determination and motivation. If there is something - even a single question - that she does not understand, Sarina ALWAYS sees me (or texts me). She is also a very hard worker (and you know how much I admire that). Plus, she's pretty darn clever! Over the past four years, Sarina and I have shared many talks. Lots of laughs but lots of serious talks too. She is a very thoughtful and understanding person. I consider myself lucky to have shared these times together. And I know her friends (a great group of people) appreciate her and feel much the same way as I do. Sarina, I am so proud of who you are as a student and (more importantly) as a person. I remember after grade 10 when you talked about possibly leaving our school and I was in a panic. "You can't leave!!" I recall coaching you as to what to say to your mom to get her to agree to let you stay (sorry Mom). I can't tell you how happy that I am that you finished your high school years at KG... and (especially) in my class. You will leave next year with a big future ahead of you (I KNOW that you will be successful at whatever you take on... Genetics or otherwise). I will miss you terribly but I have so many special memories to carry with me. Good luck and I love you, Sarina!! In his talk he framed mathematics as a pursuit uniquely suited to the achievement of human flourishing, a concept the ancient Greeks called eudaimonia, or a life composed of all the highest goods. Su talked of five basic human desires that are met through the pursuit of mathematics: play, beauty, truth, justice and love.
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