Titan Talk

Titan Talk

SMHS 11th-Grader Christina Bui Describes her 2017 Kidney Transplant In this Titan Talk, SMHS juniors Janette Fu and Madison Ly ask fellow 11th grader Christina Bui to detail her 2017 kidney transplant. What are the kidneys and what do healthy kidneys do? Is it true that you only need one kidney? How did you know you needed to get a kidney transplant?  Where did you get it done? Do you know anything about the kidney donor? What was it like to go under anesthesia? How long did it take you to get back to school after your surgery? Who was more nervous about it all. You or your parents?...

Titan Talk

SMHS 12th-Grader Alan Tang Describes his Formula IV Race Car Driving Career Formula IV race cars are open-wheeled, single-seater, racing cars intended for younger (aka junior) drivers all over the world. They are equipped with the latest safety installations and can travel at speeds up to 180 MPH. Alan has been racing Formula IV cars since 2012 and in this student-hosted interview, he answers a number of questions asked by SMHS juniors Janette Fu and Madison Ly. How did all this get started? Was this the first sport you tried? Who was your mentor or the person you admire the most when it...

Titan Talk

AP Physics Teacher Johnny Devine Describes his Nationally Acclaimed Mars-Rover Project -Based Learning Opportunity Johnny Devine is a Tacoma, Washington Nationally Board Certified high school science teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience. In 2018, Johnny placed before his AP Physics students a project-based learning opportunity that not only called upon his students to figure out how they could successfully land a Rover-like vehicle on Mars but that also was fabulously described by journalist and PBL advocate Suzi Boss for the Edutopia website. Johnny has a “personal passion”...

Titan Talk

PBLWorks CEO and NatIonally Acclaimed Project-Based Learning Advocate Bob Lenz Shares What He Knows About Project-Based Learning Bob Lenz is a nationally recognized leader in high school redesign, Project Based Learning, 21st-century skills education, and performance assessment. He is also the author of the book, Transforming Schools: Using Project-Based Learning, Performance Assessment, and Common Core Standards. PBLWorks is a California-based educational organization whose mission is to bring quality Project Based Learning to all students in order to deepen their learning and achieve...

Titan Talk

Middle School Social Studies Teacher Patrick Stopford Describes his Experience with  Online Teaching Patrick Stopford is a Huntington Middle School social studies teacher with 13 years of HMS teaching experience, with the social studies course that he’s most enjoyed teaching being the 7th Grade Medieval World History course. He’s also enjoyed teaching the 8th Grade American History course. But Patrick isn’t just known for the teaching of various social studies courses, he’s also known for the teaching of various filmmaking and film editing courses AND for all the good work that...

Titan Talk

High School Principal and PBL Expert Dr. Daniel Ching Shares What He Knows About Project-Based Learning PBL expert Dr. Daniel Ching is the principal at Minarets High School  Dr. Ching began his teaching career at Lemoore High School in 2009, after working as a firefighter for the Crane Valley Hotshots while he was in college at Cal State Fresno. In 2010, he became a U.S. History and a World History teacher at Minarets. There he also taught Native American studies and coordinated the Veterans Day History Project. In 2013, he became an Apple Distinguished Educator, and the following...

Titan Talk

School Superintendent and PBL Expert Dr. Michael McDowell Shares What He Knows About Project-Based Learning Since 2015, PBL expert Dr. Michael McDowell has served as the superintendent of the Ross School District. Previously he served as the Associate Superintendent of Instructional and Personnel Services at the Tamalpais Union High School District, a school district that, during Dr. McDowell’s tenure, was recognized by the Marzano Research Laboratories as one of the most reliable educational organizations in the United States. Over the years, Dr. McDowell has authored several books...

Titan Talk

High School Social Studies Teacher Andrew Gayl Describes His Experience with  Online Teaching and His Plans for the Fall Andrew Gayl is a San Marino High School social studies teacher. He has been teaching at San Marino since 2006 and while there has become mostly known as a 9th and 10th grade World History teacher, though he’s also taught US Government, Health, and PE. Aside from the above, Andrew is also known for the way in which he makes all students feel welcome in his class and for the fact he has has quickly become one of the district’s more experienced and accomplished online...

Titan Talk

Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher and High School Social Studies Teacher Gail Denham Describes Her Experience with  Online Teaching and Her Plans for the Fall Gail Denham is a Carver Elementary School kindergarten teacher. She has been teaching at Carver since 2009 and while there has also become known for teaching various high school social studies courses. In fact, for the past ten years, Gail has taught a six week summer school World History course to 9th and 10th graders. But Gail isn’t just known as someone who does a great job of teaching the students found at both ends of...

Titan Talk

High School Science Teacher Scott Barton Describes his Experience with  Online Teaching and Plans for the Fall Scott Barton is a San Marino High School science teacher with 13 years of SMHS teaching experience. During this period of time, he’s most enjoyed teaching the AP/Honors Physics course, though he’s also enjoyed teaching the Regular Physics and Geometry course.  But Scott isn’t just known for his teaching of various academic courses, he’s also known for the teaching of various social studies courses. This past academic year, for example, he taught an Government and...