WHERE IDEAS GROW
NEW E H T GS N I N BEGINSUE IS
A NUEVA MAGAZINE FOR LEARNING, WONDER, AND CONNECTION
2
T R Y T H I S!
Hello World Learn to say hello worldwide.
4
BOOKMARK
Pageturners
Read something new.
10 E X P LO R E
Seasons of Change
Celebrate beginnings around the world.
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COMIC
Launch Sequence
See how big dreams take off.
6
14
Imagine your dream hideaway.
Take flight with a brave butterfly.
I M AG I N E
Treehouse Dreams
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INTERVIEW
En Garde!
Meet a teacher who fences.
STORY
Miriam the Monarch
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FIELD NOTES
This Year I Tried Capture your own firsts.
24 CA M P U S
Map Mysteries Explore campus, then and now.
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IN THE KITCHEN
Golden Cauliflower
Turn curiosity into something delicious.
30
CONNECTIONS
My First Day at Nueva
Hear first-day stories from faculty and staff.
36 RECESS
Puzzle Time Play on!
y
nb ratio t s u l r Il en Cove muel Ch a S
SECTION NAME
WELC
OME
! O L L HE
FA L L 2 0 2 6
sometimes, with a spark of curiosity. This is the very first issue of a new magazine just for you, our Lower School Maverick, and that means we’re beginning something brand new, just like you do every time you try, learn, or imagine something for the first time. In these pages, you’ll discover interviews, stories, art, and ideas that celebrate beginnings—from the first sketches of a dream to the first time you notice something amazing right in your own backyard. We’ll even time-travel back to see what our campus looked like in 2011, explore what’s changed, and imagine what might come next. So grab your map, your pencil, your questions, and your courage. Every explorer knows: the best part of any GUTTER CREDIT HERE
S P R O U T I S P R O D U C E D B Y T H E N U E VA C O M M U N I CAT I O N S T E A M . D E S I G N B Y S A R A H G O L D S C H A D T / S A H - R A H . C O M
Every big adventure starts with a single step—or
beginning is seeing where it might lead. Let’s go!
1
H LO E L BONJOUR (bohn-ZHUR) “hello” in French
NI HÃO (nee HOW) “hello” in Mandarin
d l r o W
Languages are like colorful threads weaving people together. Each word you learn opens a door to a new friend somewhere in the world. Let’s collect greetings from every continent and see how far we can travel! 2
KUMUSTA (koo-MOOS-tah) “hello” in Tagalog
FOLIO HERE TRY THIS!
O
CIAO (chow) “hello” in Italian
HOLA (OH-lah) “hello” in Spanish
JAMBO (JAHM-boh) “hello” in Swahili NAMASTE (nah-mah-STAY) “hello” in Hindi
ANNYEONGHASEYO (ahn-nyung-ha-se-yo) “hello/be in peace” in Korean
GUTTER CREDIT HERE
SALAM (sah-LAHM) “peace/hello” in Arabic
KONNICHIWA (kon-nee-chee-wah “hello” in Japanese
PRIVET (pree-wyet) “hello” in Russian
XIN CHÀO (seen-chow) “hello” in Vietnamese 3 3
Ready to turn the page into something new? These stories follow brave jumpers, bold creators, curious scientists, and world-explorers who discover that trying something new is where the real adventure begins.
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y V I R I N A F LO R A / S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M .
PAGETURNERS
BOO
KMA
y
ociet lock S r e h S The ti es Pon by Jam –12 ages 8
Two siblings start a detective agency as their summer job, and for their first case, they decide to tackle a puzzle that has gone long unsolved. It involves lost treasure, famed gangster Al Capone, and evidence hinting at corporate corruption.
The Va by A le biga il Hin ages g We 8–12 n A highly exciting story about new worlds, new technology, and new discoveries. Thirteenyear-old Bran has builwt an entire immersive world inside a virtual reality powered by AI. He’s on the brink of bringing this fantasy environment to life when the world he created starts changing on its own.
RK
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat ages 4–8 Tired of waiting to be imagined, Beekle sails off into the real world to find his person. A whimsical adventure about friendship and finding where you belong.
Jaba ri Ju mps by G aia C ornw ages all 4–6 Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board… almost. A warm, relatable story about gathering your courage and taking the leap.
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IMAGIN
E
Treehouse Dreams I L L U S T R AT I O N BY S A M U E L C H E N
“Lots of fairy lights and squishy places to lounge. Chips in every cabinet!” —Christina Lancaster
“Weatherproofing, wall-to-wall carpeting, all the amenities of electricity. No roughing it! A glamping treehouse.” —David Robinson
6
“Since my classroom is near the coastal oak tree, I would choose a coastal oak for my treehouse. It would have a huge library of books and many floors. I would also like to have a tea kettle so I could make tea while I read and look out the windows onto the Ballet Lawn.” —Izzy Mayer
For many of us, a dream treehouse was often the very first home we imagined for ourselves. We asked Lower School teachers and staff members what features we might find in their treehouses: cozy nooks, ladders and slides, lots of books… what would you add to yours?
“Dozens of cargo nets connecting many trees. And rope swings so I could fly through the forest.” —Zubin Mobedshahi
“Pink all over and Halloween decorations up year-round on the inside. I’d have an oven with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies always ready to go and lots of cats for cuddling. Oh! And there would be a coffee station to go with the cookies!” —Mandy Yarnall
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N E GARDE! LS associate teacher Joanne Luong teaches fencing at Nueva Summer—where, years ago, she was first introduced to fencing as a Nueva camper!
Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting. It consists of three primary disciplines: foil (Joanne’s sport), épée, and sabre, each with its own blade and set of rules.
INTE
RVIE
Joanne was a NCAA Division 1 student-athlete at UC San Diego, and she has been fencing for 12 years. Get to know Joanne in this Q&A!
W
How did you get started in fencing? I was 9 or 10 when I went to the Nueva Summer camp. My mom signed me up, and one of the choices was fencing. I remember being introduced to Brian, who taught the class. On the first day, when he taught us about the fencing sword and the gloves and the movements, I was like, “I love swords. I’m going to jump right in!” So after the week of camp ended, I begged my mom to introduce me to an actual club. She ended up talking to Brian, who introduced me to the San Francisco Fencers Club, which is the club that I ended up training at for almost 10 years. What do you love about fencing? I love the mind games you play, the strategies you have to come up with on the spot and plan out to be able to win against your opponent. It’s a lot of brain energy. And also I just like the adrenaline of poking somebody. What do you wish people knew about fencing? There are many things, but if I were to simplify it, just how complicated and fun the mental game is. It’s not just slashing and poking that people think it is. There are a lot of strategies involved and a lot of hard work on your
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y I N S P I R I N G. T E A M / S H U T T E R S T O C K. C O M.
quads and your legs, and it’s a lot harder to navigate with the mask on. You’re hot and sweaty and tired, but at the same time you’re playing this mental game with your opponent, like, okay, I know they’re going to do this. Then what should I do? How should I react?
DID YOU KNOW?
Joanne enjoys playing the guitar, going on hikes, rooting for the Golden State Warriors, and has a twin sister named Paige. She grew up in Millbrae and went to Design Technology High School.
Do you have any advice for someone trying something new for the first time? Don’t be scared to try! Push past the initial moment where you feel, “I don’t immediately like this.” Try it for a little longer. If you know for sure you don’t enjoy it, then definitely it’s a sign to try something else. But if you push yourself beyond just like, “Oh, I’m scared and nervous, I don’t want to do this,” then you actually experience a lot more and meet a lot more people than you expected. From then on, you may have a whole community and new lifestyle that you get to experience that you didn’t know before. 9
EXPLORE
Seasons of Change
How do we mark a beginning? All around the world, people celebrate new life, new seasons, and new chapters in beautiful, surprising ways. From first birthdays to the start of a new year, beginnings are everywhere. At a Cultural Community Gathering last fall, b garcia, the Lower School Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, took us around the globe to see how different cultures welcome the start of something new.
Red Eggs an d G ood Luc k CHINA
In Chinese tradition, babies are celebrated one month after birth with a Red Egg and Ginger Party. Red eggs symbolize happiness and good luck for the new little one-and guests eat them to share in the joy!
The Va by A le biga il Hin
g We
n
F ir st Footin g SCOTLAND
In Scotland, when a new year begins, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the first footer. They bring small gifts like bread or coal to wish the family a year full of warmth and good things.
Your Turn!
L i f e ’ s C ircle MEXICO
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) honors loved ones who have passed away. It’s not just about endingsit’s about remembering that love continues, and every ending can also be a beginning.
What’s something new you’ve started lately?
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
F ir s t C r y, F ir s t S on g NIGERIA In parts of Nigeria, when a baby is born, family members sing joyful songs to welcome them. The baby’s name is chosen carefully-sometimes it tells the story of the day they were born or hopes for their future.
N ew L i f e in Sp r in g
How does your family celebrate beginnings— like birthdays, new years, or first days of school?
Draw or write about a “beginning” that feels special to you.
JA PA N
In Japan, the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, marking a time of new beginnings. Families and friends gather under the blossoms to picnic, laugh, and enjoy the moment-celebrating how life begins again each year.
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LAUNCH SEQUENCE
DAY BY DAY, THE BUILDING, TESTING, AND TRYING CONTINUED. BY SAMUEL CHEN
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y I N S TAG R A M @ S A M U E LC H E N _ I L L U S T R AT I O N .
IT ALL STARTED WITH A QUESTION: “WHAT IF I TRY THIS?”
COMIC
YEARS OF WORK, STUDY, AND SETBACKS—STEP BY STEP TOWARD THE LAUNCHPAD.
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This comic is inspired by the life and work of Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who helped NASA send rockets into space. Her story reminds us that big achievements often begin with small questions, curiosity, and the courage to keep trying.
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y R AW P I X E L. C O M .
By Madi K. ’30, Maya L. ’30, and Maddie B. MS ’26
FICTION
A little note before we begin This is a story about a monarch butterfly—but not everything in it happens exactly the way it does in nature. After all, stories are allowed to bend the rules a little. In real life, adult monarchs sip nectar rather than munching on milkweed. And while a monarch does have an exoskeleton, its pupa stage takes place inside a chrysalis, not a cocoon. So consider this story a flight of fancy: inspired by the real world, but with a little imagination along the way.
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Miriam feels her body lift into the air, and her wings naturally flap, back and forth. She opens her compound eyes, and a beautiful sunrise comes into view. She glides over the smooth wind, as the crisp air swooshes past her face. The cool mist of dawn settles on her face, and she knows that her journey is going to be an amazing adventure. She can almost taste the leathery, sweet milkweed down in Mexico. Gracefully, she follows the other butterflies above. The roost she is flying with starts to curve to the left. “Wow, this is so exciting!” she thinks to herself. Clouds fly past her sleek silhouette as she swoops in a circle. Miriam flies across open valleys and ashy forests, gliding across the sky. A kaleidoscope of autumn colors fills her vision, and she feels free. “Oops!” Miriam drops a few feet. The rest of the crowd starts to descend, and it looks like they are heading for a bright field full of wildflowers. It is true; they do need a break, and Miriam is hungry for some silky nectar. She’s never had any pink flowers before, either. As she finally floats to a stop atop an eyestriking fuchsia aster, she is glad that she didn’t doubt herself. She knows she can do it after all. Inky clouds hang on the horizon. It looks like the experienced butterflies know what they are doing— they stop to rest, just in time for a storm. Miriam overhears a wise butterfly saying, “Let’s spend the night. Be ready to leave in the morning.”
She can almost taste the leathery,
sweet milkweed
down in Mexico.
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y R AW P I X E L. C O M .
Miriam climbs out of her milky green chrysalis, patiently pushing the thick layers of silk out of her way, surging winds and fat raindrops falling past her with a soft pitter-patter. She pulls herself out on the underside of her favorite milkweed plant—the plant that holds all that nostalgia, those memories of her young caterpillar self. The struggle of hatching has strengthened her orange and black patterned wings. She is a monarch butterfly. The most majestic and wellknown butterfly in many places. Part of the super generation. The last generation of the year. The ones that migrate all the way to Mexico, to the beautiful fir trees, and the shelter they provide. The last thing she remembers before hatching is spinning her cocoon out of silk. She remembers having no wings and just a long, stripy body. She also remembers how much milkweed she ate. She thinks about what her mom told her when she was just a child: “Eat tons of milkweed. It will make you strong and protected.” Miriam now wonders what “protected” means. She flaps her bright wings timidly. They are still crumpled, as they will be for an hour or so. She sits there, pondering the trip ahead of her. She’s heard stories of other monarchs not making it. Her mom used to tell her about things like cars that go super fast, and big things in the middle of the air that stick up from the ground called power lines. If you hit them the wrong way, you’re in trouble. The one danger that Miriam’s mom didn’t have to warn her about was birds. When Miriam was a caterpillar, she had seen them flying above, their dark silhouettes against the sun. Miriam is nervous about her trip. But she won’t be traveling alone; there are tons of other butterflies— but none are her friends. “I wish that I knew the other butterflies,” she says to herself, “or just knew what to do.” She is ready to take off, ready to follow her fellow butterflies into the sky. She unfurls her beautiful orange and black wings all the way for the first time. She remembers how the milkweed has protected her—it makes her poisonous to predators. The radiant orange on her wing: a warning. She feels brave. “Breathe, Miriam,” she reassures herself. She closes her eyes, opens her wings, and jumps.
FIC T Tonight, Miriam is content, but she feels a small feeling deep in her heart. She misses her mom. She wants someone to sing her to sleep and tell her stories of beautiful bright green forests. But that night, Miriam decides that she is strong. She tells herself a story, because she needs to fall asleep. She doesn’t want to be tired and groggy in the morning! Miriam falls asleep, thinking of her friends, family, and a golden, gleaming sunset. The next morning, Miriam wakes up feeling refreshed and ready. She takes a final sip of nectar from a dewy marigold. In unison, the group of butterflies takes off as a flutter of wings. “Back to another day of flying!” Miriam thinks to herself. But now she knows what to expect. The next day passes by in a blur. The mid-morning sprinkle of raindrops, fluffy fog draping over the outline of a bright sun. They made great progress the day before, and Miriam is getting along well. A butterfly similar to her age flies up next to her. “Hey,” he says. “I’m Max.” “Hi, Max! I’m Miriam. Are you excited to go to Mexico?” Miriam and Max talk until they reach their next stop. Miriam is excited to have met a new friend, but unfortunately, he lets her know that he is stopping early. His family is cautious and scared of a possible storm. At night, more dark clouds loom on the horizon, but they are probably just passing by because Miriam doesn’t see them in the morning. “Goodbye, Max!” Miriam says with joy. Then, a gust of wind sweeps the group away, and they are off to Mexico. The afternoon sun burns as the hot, sweltering summer breathes through her wings. The sky must be as bright as the orange in Miriam’s wings. The green, ashy forests have slowly metamorphosed into orange, dry Mexico. She realizes that she has come so far. So far. Suddenly, she catches a glimpse of dark clouds. Large sweeps of air slam the swarm to the side, veering them off course. Her wings are limp. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.” Her wings give in, and she falls behind, trailing behind the group, the ever-moving jumble of pumpkin orange and obsidian shrinking past the horizon line. “No, no, no!” They are so far away now. Miriam
ION
17
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y R AW P I X E L. C O M .
TI FIC ON
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There must be
hundreds of millions
of other monarchs fluttering around in and on those lush fir trees.
pushes her wings back and forth, trying to push herself against the hot, dry air, blowing dust into her face and slamming her backwards. She feels warm sweeps of air, a net catching her and dragging her backwards. Miriam looks behind her just in time to see a large, splintery branch headed straight for the back of her neck, coming closer and closer and closer. Miriam’s eyes squeeze tight. “This has to work.” She clenches every single muscle in her delicate body and wraps her abdomen in a big, round hug, her wings layered one on top of the other like the layers of an onion. She ducks her head and contracts her antennae into herself, narrowly dodging the branch before releasing her wings. Her wings breathe back out, pushing her away from the splintery branch and shooting her like a slingshot back on track. “I think I’ve got the hang of this wing-controlling thing now!” The journey is long and exhausting for Miriam. She doesn’t know where to go or how to get to Mexico. “Deep breaths.” Miriam pushes herself forward, flapping her wide wings in the wind, letting the air
catch itself and propel her back forward. “Breathe in, breathe out. Flap up, flap down.” She pushes herself harder and harder, faster and faster, using the momentum to propel herself, dashing as fast as a rocket breaking through the atmosphere. All of a sudden, a wash of amber orange comes into view. Her swarm! Her entire roost! A sigh of relief flutters through her body. As she flaps further and further, she sees that it is not just her swarm, but a massive undulating kaleidoscope of oranges and yellows and blacks, covering the whole entire field. There must be hundreds of millions of other monarchs fluttering around in and on those lush fir trees. The other monarchs cluster around each other for warmth and comfort. Miriam can’t wait to join them. Looking at the other butterflies, Miriam feels a surge of joy. The whole journey and all of its ups and downs have been worth it! Even though she was nervous going into the journey, she is so glad to have taken that first leap off her milkweed plant to try something new.
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A TRY-SOMETHING-NEW LOG
This Year, I Tried... Treat these pages like a time capsule for remembering the new things you try this year—big, small, brave, silly, or surprising. Some firsts feel exciting, some feel tricky, and some don’t work out at all—and that’s all part of learning. Write it down and come back to see how much you’ve grown.
SOMETHING I WANT TO TRY THIS YEAR...
A MISTAKE THAT HELPED ME LEARN:
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S I N I 4 K A/ S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M .
I LEARNED THAT I AM GOOD AT...
FIELD
NOTE
S
DRAW YOURSELF LOOKING BRAVE
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I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S I N I 4 K A/ S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M .
DRAW YOURSELF LOOKING SILLY
FIELD
NOTE
S
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU MET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR?
A NEW GAME/SPORT/ ACTIVITY I TRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME:
A FOOD I TRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME...
SOMETHING NEW I LEARNED:
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Map Mysteries
D I S P L AY C R E D I T H E R E
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y T E R R Y S I R R E L L.
CAMPUS
FOLIO HERE
This illustrated map shows our campus as it looked back in 2011—before some of our newest buildings were added! How many places can you name? What’s different between then and now? Where will the new Arts & Administration building go? Can you find these hidden objects?
About the Artist
Terry Sirrell (he/him) is a cartoonist and humorous illustrator. His work has been printed on the back of Cap’n Crunch and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal boxes! D I S P L AY C R E D I T H E R E
25 25
HEN IN THE KITC
Golden Cauliflower BY M I C H E L L E G R E E N E BAU M P ’ 29
Toge the r i n the K it c h en | @t oget her in k it c hen
Five large cauliflowers sit in the middle of the big table as the kids walk into my cooking class. Some barely notice them, others eye them curiously, and a few announce with certainty, “I’m not going to eat that!” Together, we begin to explore. I ask what the cauliflower looks like, reassuring them that there are no wrong answers. Responses come quickly: “A brain,” “A flower,” “My grandfather’s wrinkly face!” One child says it looks like a Fibonacci sequence, and the others nod in agreement. Using their hands, the kids break off florets one by one from the core. I ask them to describe how it feels, how it smells, and if they’re willing, how it tastes. Next, we spread the cauliflower florets onto parchment-lined baking sheets, drizzling them with olive oil and sprinkling on salt. The students make sure each piece is well coated. I explain the simple magic of oil and salt, how they transform flavor. Many kids, growing more confident and interested, decide to try a bite. Then comes the secret ingredient: turmeric. It gives our dish its name Golden Cauliflower.
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y KO S T O LO M 3 0 00 / S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M . P H O T O S B Y K WA N G M O O Z A A / S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M ( S T I C K E R) .
As it roasts in the oven, the cauliflower turns a rich, caramelized golden brown—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and sweet. The kids are proud. They’ve helped turn this raw cruciferous vegetable into something truly delicious. Even those who were certain they didn’t like cauliflower find themselves reaching for seconds. Cauliflower, it turns out, just needed some exploration.
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IN T
HE K
I n gre di en t s (serves 4) 1 head of cauliflower 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
ITCH
EN
Fun Facts About Cauliflower
A few pinches of salt
IT IS A FLOWER: The part of the plant
Di re c ti o ns
we eat is an immature flower cluster, which
P H O T O B Y TAT I A N A VO LG U T OVA / S H U T T E R S T O C K. C O M . I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y KO S T O LO M3 0 0 0 / S H U T T E R S T O C K. C O M.
1. Ask a grown-up to help you
is also called a “curd.”
preheat the oven to 400°F. 2. Break apart the cauliflower into small pieces (called florets) using your hands or a knife. Compost the core and leaves. Spread the cauliflower out on a baking sheet
Standard white cauliflower stays
lined with parchment paper.
white because its large leaves
3. Drizzle with enough olive oil to
BLOCK THE SUN, stopping
coat the pieces but not drench
green chlorophyll from forming.
them. You can always drizzle the cauliflower with more oil before serving. 4. Sprinkle on the turmeric and a pinch or two of salt. Use a spoon to mix everything together so each piece is coated. 5. Try to give each piece a little space on the baking sheet—this helps them get nice and crispy! 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes. About halfway through, stir the cauliflower so it cooks evenly. Once it’s golden
er Each cauliflow ly plant can on PRODUCE ONE HEAD.
brown and crispy on the edges, take it out of the oven. Cool and enjoy! 29
MY T S R I F DAY at Nueva
What do you remember about your first day at Nueva?
What do you remember about your first day at Nueva? Adam: My first "day" at Nueva was actually my interview. I taught a demo class about paper airplanes—how to fold them, how to redesign them to fly differently, and how the design process behind a paper airplane connects to bigger engineering ideas. Funny enough, I still use versions of that lesson today. What was your first impression of Nueva? Adam: Everyone was incredibly kind. At the end of the class, students were saying, "Good job, Adam. Thanks for the class." I'd never experienced that at another school. I also loved that students called me Adam instead of "Mr." anything. It made conversations feel more natural and made learning feel like something students and teachers do together. Looking back, what stands out most?
Reporting by Senya Salzmann ’26 30 and Eva G. ’29.
Adam: I remember leaving that day thinking, I really hope I get to work here. The students were thoughtful, welcoming, and excited to learn, and I knew this was a special place.
I N T E R V I E W S H AV E B E E N E D I T E D F O R L E N G T H A N D C L A R I T Y. P H O T O S B Y E VA G . ’ 29.
Before they were familiar faces around campus, they were newcomers, too. Five faculty and staff members share stories of their first starts at Nueva.
CONN
ECTIO N
S
Adam Maurey MIDDLE SCHOOL I- L A B E N G I N E E R A N D S H O P M A N AG E R
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What do you remember about your first day at Nueva? Miguel: It was my first time working at a school, and I remember it going really well. I liked it right away because I enjoy being around children and being around people. I quickly realized this was a place where I would be happy. What has made you enjoy working at Nueva? Miguel: I really enjoy the people here and the opportunity to be part of the school. There are many good things about working with children, and I’ve loved my time here.
Miguel Romero
H I L L S B O R O U G H CA M P U S FAC I L I T I E S / O P E R AT I O N S TEAM MEMBER
Heidy Bravo
HILLSBOROUGH CA M P U S R E C E P T I O N I S T A N D A D M I N I S T R AT I V E A S S I S TA N T
What do you remember about your first day at Nueva? Heidy: I'll be bluntly honest—I didn't love it. I came to Nueva because I wanted to work at a school and interact with students, but during my first year I mostly worked with adults. I remember thinking, This isn't what I imagined. What changed? Heidy: At the end of that first year, I told my supervisor how I felt and they listened. Now I help with café duty, bus duty, and even step in to help in classrooms when needed. Those interactions with students have made all the difference. I can go anywhere and work with adults, but the purpose of me working at a school is to interact with students.
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Heidy: I love how excited students are to learn. They'll come tell me about something they made or discovered in class, and I learn so much from them, too. That's what makes this place special. Now, I absolutely love my job.
P H O T O S B Y E VA G. ’ 2 9.
What do you love most about working with the students?
CONN
ECTIO N
S
33
“I was struck by how
beautiful the campus is…”
Matthew Cruz
LOW E R S C H O O L S U B S T I T U T E T E AC H E R
What do you remember about your first day at Nueva? Matthew: I first came to Nueva as a substitute through an agency before joining the school fulltime. Right away, I was struck by how beautiful the campus is—the Bay views, the gardens, and the trails all made an amazing first impression. What stood out during your first week? Matthew: I helped in the science room and later in the garden, where students were getting their hands dirty and learning where food comes from. I remember thinking, This is a really cool school.
Matthew: People here always talk about the Nueva community, and I found that to be true. Even as a brand-new substitute, I felt welcomed. Janice Toy was one of the first people I met, and her warmth and positivity made a lasting impression.
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P H O T O S B Y E VA G. ’ 2 9.
What made you feel at home?
CONN
ECTIO N
What do you remember about your first day at Nueva? Jason: My first experience at Nueva was actually about 15 years before I worked here. I came to campus to teach TaeKwonDo during Korean Heritage Day. I loved that the school celebrated different cultures, and I remember thinking, I’d like to work here someday. Did anyone make a lasting impression on you? Jason: Yes—Azmi, who has now been my colleague for the past 10 years. Meeting him and seeing the way he taught PE inspired me to pursue teaching myself. Looking back, what stands out most? Jason: It’s funny that one day teaching a few classes planted the seed for what eventually became my career. I never imagined I’d come back years later and still be here a decade into teaching.
Jason McEuin MIDDLE SCHOOL P E T E AC H E R
S
RECESS
e l z z u P
created by Eva G. ’29
e Tim
Oh no! There were supposed to be a bunch of nature-themed jokes here, but their answers got all scrambled. Can you help?
1 What is a tree’s favorite soda? otor erbe
2 3
Why is the redwood tree the favorite species of dogs? It has the ektcihts abrk
What tree can you hold in your hand? A malp eret
Unscramble the bay area native species!
4 5
GINIBDRMUHM 6
OBTACB
ANSWERS: 1. Root Beer 2. Palm Tree 3. Thickest Bark 4. Hummingbird 5. Bobcat 6. Coyote
36
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How many Lower School teachers and staff members can you name? How are they connected? Do you know a fun fact about each one of them?
thew Cr