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Home › Forums › Core Seminars › East Asia Origins to 1800, Spring 2021 › Self-introductions
Jeannine Kuropatkin.
stubingHi everyone! We are looking forward to meeting and getting to know you in person over the next few months, but please use this thread to introduce yourself for now.
Please upload a photo of yourself. Go to "my account," then click on the edit tab, and upload a photo at the bottom. Make sure you click save!
clay dubeHi Everyone - terrific to have a chance to say hello. I'm Clay Dube and head the USC U.S.-China Institute. I've been teaching about China and Japan for a long time and am looking forward to our seminar. I first lived in China in 1982-85. I've been traveling to (or living in) East Asia almost every year since 1989. It's been my privilege to take groups of teachers to East Asia eleven times and I hope that funding will again make it possible for us to do that in the future. I love reading and films and take a lot of pictures (you'll see some). I'm anxious to hear your thoughts about some of the big historical and cultural questions we'll take on over the course of the term.
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Julie KuoHi everyone. I'm excited to take this course and update my knowledge of East Asian current events and dig deeper in my understanding of its history. This is my 13th year teaching history and fourth year at my current school in the Bay Area. I've taught ancient and modern world history, U.S. history, East Asian studies, journalism, intro to law, and media studies. In addition to teaching history, I also advise the student newspaper. I'm a proud graduate of USC!
Morgan BurtHello!
Nice to meet you all, virtually. My name is Morgan Haupt (Burt). I am currently in my 4th year teaching History in the Central Valley. This year I am teaching World History & AP Psychology, however I have also taught U.S. History & Government. I look forward to the day that I can be back in person with my students. I miss them dearly, but we are all doing our best to connect with them & teach them. When I am not teaching, I enjoy cooking, talking walks with my husband & dog, and spending time in the mountains with my family.
Best,
Morgan
Imelda MazasHello,
My name is Imelda Mazas and I teach Physical Education in LAUSD. I have been teaching for seventeen years at the high school level. I am a life learner, I love to learn about anything and everything so when I saw this opportunity, I decided to take the chance. I am eager to learn and share this information with my students. I can share the what I learn in my Advisory classes or find ways to incorporate it in my curriculum. On a personal note, I have been very curious to learn Chinese or Japanese, it is my life long goal and being in this class is my first step to reach my goal in learning another language. Thank you and I look forward to this opportunity.
Cristina PrudencioHello Everyone!
My name is Cristina Prudencio and I teach 5th grade in LAUSD. This is my 7th year teaching and my second year teaching 5th grade. I am looking forward to bringing what I learn back into the classroom. When I am not focusing on teaching, I spend as much quality time with my family as I can. I also enjoy listening to music and love going to concerts. I am looking forward to doing this as soon as it is safe to do so.
Nice to meet you all.
Cynthia JacksonHi! My name is Cynthia Jackson and I am a 7th grade World Geography teacher in Waltham, Massachusetts. This is my second year of teaching and my team is transitioning our curriculum to meet the state's newest standards. As a result, I completed the Modern East Asia seminar in the Fall and knew that I wanted to continue the learning with the Origins Seminar. I'm very excited to learn more about this beautiful region and share everything I learn with my students. I'm also looking forward to learning beside all of you this Spring while I row on the Charles River, take picnics, and do whatever I can to get outside safely!
Jacqueline TorresHi,
My name is Jacqueline Torres, I teach drawing, painting and ceramics in grades 9-12, this is my 10th year teaching. As a ceramics teacher, I know that Asia is a treasure trove of knowledge and am in general just curious to learn more to teach more in-depth lessons that cover history. I enjoy traveling, learning about culture, the history of spirits (and hosting tastings) making art, running and playing soccer.
Joanna BourqueGreetings!
My name is Joanna Bourque and I have been teaching Visual Arts in public schools at the elementary level for eight years. I have some knowledge of East Asia (mainly China and Japan) as I was an Asian Studies minor (and three years Chinese language learner) in college. I am greatly interested in Asian art and cultures. I love introducing my students to Asian art and would like to have a firmer foundation for including a more diverse assemblage of traditional arts and artists from the different cultures with correct historical context.
I'm excited to be learning alongside all of you, and I look forward to meeting you!
Jennifer MacchiarellaGood morning! My name is Jennifer Macchiarella. I teach a 10th grade world history/ world literature block at a public high school in Washington. We divide world history between 9th and 10th geographically, and 10th will have China and Japan for the first time next year. I'm excited to learn about the regions history, culture, and hopefully get some ideas for the literature side of my class as well. We are virtual this year, but I am hopeful to be back in the classroom next year.
Jade KiddHi everyone! My name is Jade Kidd. I teach a 10th grade world history/world literature block in Sammamish, Washington. I have also taught government and American literature in Kentucky and Arkansas. I'm excited to learn more about China in order for my curriculum to better match the diversity in my classroom. I look forward to learning with you all!
Melina MelgozaHello everyone! My name is Melina Melgoza and I teach 9th grade Ethnic Studies, 10th grade Dual-Language World History, and 11th grade Honors U.S. Histoy and Dual-Language U.S. History in Los Angeles, California. In the past, I've taught all of those classes, as well as, Economics and Principles of American Democracy. As we continue to move into a more globalized worked, I want to continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of China. This year, we've been virtual, but we are also hoping that we will be back in the classroom soon.
Personally, my hobbies are traveling and learning! I've only been to Shanghai, China, but hope to go back and explore a lot more!
Jessica Del CidHi everyone!
My name is Jessica Del Cid, and I have been teaching in LAUSD for 7 years. I have taught Kinder, 3rd, 4th, and now I'm currently teaching 5th grade. I miss teaching my students in person and cannot wait to go back into the classroom when it is safe. Aside from teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband, three year old daughter and dog.
I am looking forward to starting this class and seeing what I can take back to my students!
Todd RutleyHi everyone! I have taught 3 China history classes in the adult-education program at UNLV and am looking for new ideas for my next class. I am interested in international relations and geopolitics and think about China and Japan from this historical perspective. I have been to China and Japan over 20 times and look forward to my next trip!
Paul GoodwillHello from Alaska! I am currently applying for teaching jobs in the 49th state. For the past six years, I have been working in government. I previously was a full-time educator for seven years. I have taught kindergarten up to adult education and everything in between. I hope to get some exposure to fresh and emerging ideas and trends in teaching and learning by collaborating with my classmates and instructors in this seminar.