By Han Pham, staff writer
After 9 years of teaching at Galileo High School, Spanish teacher, Ms.Laux, has made the decision to leave Galileo and San Franicisco altogether,and move to the Biggest Little City in the world – Reno, Nevada.
Ms.Laux was extremely torn about leaving since she a great affection for Galileo, and many memories have stuck with her during the past 9 years. She shared, “I have loved my time at Galileo, and it wasn’t an easy decision for me to leave. I’ve spent the past 9 years working with some of the most brilliant individuals – both students and fellow educators – and I am incredibly grateful for the time we’ve had together.” She continued, “Life is changing every day, always flowing, although it is sad to say goodbye to Galileo; however, when life gives you a chance to try something new, you have to seize the moment. I’m also excited for this new chapter in my life.”
9 years at Galileo has created distinct memories for Ms. Laux that she will take with her as she moves to Reno. Ms.Laux still vividly remembers the first days going to Galileo, saying, “my first time ever at Galileo, on the 5th floor, Patrick Delaney standing on a chair, hollerin’ about Schoolloop.” She also recalls another big moment in her time at Galileo, saying, “When I first moved into room 412 after being a traveling teacher for 2 years! That was a big, important moment in my time at Gal.”
Galileo’s activities have also been an integral part of her memory, where she communicates and connects with her students as well as colleagues. She reminiesed, saying, “Thriller flash mob! Especially the first couple of years. Such a blast to dance with teachers and students in the courtyard! Song & Yell! A peculiar Galileo tradition that I grew to love. Glee club! Just a bunch of kids, eating lunch, playing ukuleles, and singing together.”
For a music lover like Ms, Laux being part of a band at Galileo was a great place for her to unleash her passion. That might be the reason why she joined the teachers band, “The Substitutes”. Regarding the band she said, “By far the best teacher band I’ve ever been a part of:) We covered a lot of material over the years! Queen, Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, The Beatles… the list goes on!” Therefore, after her decision to leave, Ms.Laux has a wish that someone will continue the tradition of “The Substitutes” now that both she and (former band teacher) Joseph Taylor have left Galileo.
Ms.Laux continued through what she will miss about the Galileo community. She said, “I’ll certainly miss being greeted by Ms. Bettie Grinnell in the office each morning — she is, simply, the best:) I’ll miss the many familiar faces of teachers & staff, and I’ll miss the students terribly.” She continued, “I’ll miss the long walks up and down the stairs, the hallway interactions, the students always working on some project long after the last bell, the drum corps aural contributions, the families I’ve gotten to know, G-house TV, my classes’ spot in the auditorium for assemblies (first 2 rows, center balcony – best seat in the house!), the view! from the roof!, the collaborations between teachers, students, and families, the kind hearts and open minds, the feeling of “home.”
Since becoming Galileo’s teacher, the working environment has provided her with many opportunities to hone her skills and further promote her teaching path both in the past and the future. There were lessons that moved her heart, saying, “I came into my own as a teacher at Gal. Galileo gave me the opportunity to hone my craft in a community of lovable weirdos (colleagues and students alike). I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a teacher, and what it means to be a human being.”
As for the future, Ms. Laux currently plans to continue teaching, just in a different state. She explains, “I plan to continue teaching. I have gotten my Nevada teaching credentials, and I am in the process of applying for jobs now. For this coming school year, I hope to find a position teaching Spanish.” As for her passion of music, she also hopes that will be part of her teaching later on. “Moving forward, though, I plan to take the requisite classes to get my music credential in Nevada — eventually, I’d love to teach music in elementary schools,” she added.
Ms Laux noted that she would like to thank everyone in the Galileo community who have been with her for the past 9 years. She will miss it all.
