Page 14 - Menlo Magazine: Winter 2018

WINTER 2018
Nina Arnberg
Upper School Science Teacher and M-BEST Director
Whether out in the redwoods or walking the rocky intertidal, the beauty of nature is spellbinding. Why? How? There are in nite questions to ask and explore. Science provides a framework to learn about and understand the complexities of the natural world, from atoms to ecosystems. As an educator, I share my wonder and curiosity with our students and draw inspiration from theirs. Our students will be the leaders, inventors, artists, and policy makers of the future, and I am honored to have the opportunity to inspire, encourage, challenge, and support them in their journey.
Leo Kitajima
Upper School Orchestra and Jazz Band and Middle School Chamber Ensemble Director
Ever since I began studying music when I was three years old, it has been one of the most important ways I inhale, interpret, understand, and create in this world. Music is a medium that can easily permeate into other disciplines because it is so fundamental to being human. Along my musical journey, I have been fortunate to encounter many inspiring musical mentors who have demonstrated that artistic possibilities
are truly in nite. My role as a music teacher is to pass on this musical inspiration by nurturing the musicianship of all people. Music can play an important role in the context of liberal arts institutions, but the value and power can only be realized by connecting and collaborating with other disciplines. There is tremendous potential for musical collaborations within and outside of Menlo School, and I am excited to see how the music program will develop with this open and inviting approach.
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Jorge Chen
Middle School Athletics, Upper School Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach
I teach because I truly love learning from these inspirational student-athletes. I love their trust, eagerness, and passion to learn. They’re not only my students but have become part of my family. I hope to help them succeed in life and become better people, who will help others. I was blessed to have many in uential teachers who taught me a lot about life as well as the subject matter taught in school. I teach at Menlo because I know these students will have a big impact on their communities in the future. I tell them that I hope someday, they’ll recall something I’ve told them, and they’ll say, “Oh, that short Asian coach’s mumbo jumbo does make sense after all!” I hope, too, that they will become passionate teachers of life.