New Faculty Profile: Mrs. Leona Galindo
LINDSAY JOHNSON | oCT. 24 2023 | FEATURES
After nearly two months without a Physics 1 Honors teacher, Stanton College Preparatory School has finally filled the vacant spot. Mrs. Leona Galindo was hired to teach physics, after previously teaching at Stanton in 2011. In an interview with Staff Writer Lindsay Johnson, Mrs. Galindo describes what it is like to return to the faculty.
I know that you taught at Stanton in the past, what years were you here before?
I was here [from] 2011 to 2014.
What other teaching history do you have, besides at Stanton?
I came from the Philippines; I taught there for 12 years. [There] I taught physics and then I moved here [to] the U.S. in 2007. I first taught [in] South Carolina, [in] Richland [School] District Two. Then I moved here to Florida, [and] I taught [physics] at Stanton.
Why did you decide to teach physics over other sciences?
When I was in college, I [was] interested in physics and mathematics, so [it became the] subject I [wanted to teach]. Physics is easy to teach because [it] is something you can see in the real world. [For example], from the moment you turn on the lights, it is physics. I can explain [everything from a] physics perspective.
What college did you go to?
[I got my bachelor’s degree at] a teachers institution called Philippine Normal University, [which is] known for producing teachers. There [are] a lot of Filipino teachers who are coming here that graduated from that school. I majored in physics. [I also got] my master’s [degree] in the Philippines, [at the] Technological University of the Philippines, I [got a Master of Art in Teaching in] physics.
Did you have to get a U.S. specific degree?
No, but before you get to the U.S. to teach, your Philippine transcript will be evaluated here. There should be a U.S. equivalency, so once they determined the degree that I took in the Philippines, they [gave] me a teaching certificate to teach in the U.S.
How do you feel about returning to Stanton?
I am so excited. [Teaching at] one of the [most] prestigious schools in the whole nation is absolutely exciting. Everything is kind of the same, it is just the students [are different]. I feel the students are smaller than [the students] I used to teach.
Height-wise or the number of people?
The height. The number of people back then [was] the same size: 24 to 27 students per class.
Do you see any other differences between the past and present?
I do not see any changes, [except] now my students are quieter. I think in terms of the students’ behavior, [they are quieter] and more proper. Also, when I came here [to] Stanton in 2011, the [previous physics] teacher also [had left]. I came here [around] January, so [I did not establish] the classroom management. It is hard because they [had] already [spent one semester] with the teacher, and I came second semester, so I [did not] know what [was] going on. Being a new teacher back then, I [did not] know what classroom behavior the teacher [had] established before, so I [had to] catch up from that.
What do you feel is your greatest strength in teaching?
Of course, my content. It is very important as a physics teacher that you know the content that you are teaching. If you do not know what you are teaching, it will create chaos [among] the students. Knowing your content will also build trust and confidence when you are teaching your lesson, because you cannot teach what you do not [know]. So, if you know your content, you will gain the respect [of] your students.