love for encouragement

By Nodier Moreno

Someone who has really helped me out and gave me the power to succeed as a freshman is my biology teacher. He has pushed me to succeed by giving us one on one support  and letting us have time to write down notes and organize our ideas.

His name is Mr. Chung Khong, and he teaches Biology and Chemistry at Yerba Buena. Whether it's on paper or computer, Mr. Khong is always there to help.

Unlike some other teachers, Khong doesn’t like using computers because he thinks that people nowadays use technology too much. Instead he does everything physically. He uses paper, clay or other things, as a form of teaching. I think that this is better since you actually get to move and not sit down the whole period.

Khong started teaching at Yerba Buena in 1999 when some spots opened.At first he wasn’t really interested in it though, but he thought it was a great opportunity and became a chemistry teacher. 

Khong: “I didn't choose to come here to YB, they chose me.”

 Although before Mr Khong was a teacher and was in school, he did things like play sports such as cross country or track. After he graduated from high school, Mr. Khong decided to go to college for four years and study chemistry. 

Khong: “After high school, I went to college because I had to provide for my family.”

Mr. Khong has three kids, two boys and one girl. He likes to hang out with them and do things like eat and go to church with them. He also does things like biking, running, and hanging out with his family in his free time.

One thing Mr. Khong finds challenging when he sees students who can succeed but don’t try. Khong does things to encourage his students to try by doing things like giving us a grade for showing up or not skipping classes.

Khong: “I think the most challenging thing I find are students who are capable of succeeding but don’t try.” 

Although Mr. Khong might find some things challenging; he does see some joy in it, like hearing students say that they like his class or seeing his students learn.