Farewell to Our Educators
By Mia Clark, sophomore, iPrep Academy
By Mia Clark, sophomore, iPrep Academy
The Phoenix Flyer staff is saying goodbye to three senior high teachers this year. These three teachers have played important roles in our school. They’ve been the mothers and mentors of iPrep. In honor of the teachers, as a Phoenix Flyer staff member, I interviewed different students and asked them: “What are your parting about the retiring teachers?” The students' answers showcase the love that our students have for the teachers who are "graduating" with our seniors this year.
Ms. Villuci (top left), Ms. Gelber (top right), and Ms. Keller (bottom)
First, here is a summary of their teaching careers:
Ms. Gelber
20 years teaching
10 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: AP U.S. History, Honors U.S. History Honors, U.S. History, All levels of Government, Speech and Debate, Public Speaking, Careers, AP Psychology, Honors Psychology, African American History, Law, Criminal Justice, Economics
20 years teaching
10 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: AP U.S. History, Honors U.S. History Honors, U.S. History, All levels of Government, Speech and Debate, Public Speaking, Careers, AP Psychology, Honors Psychology, African American History, Law, Criminal Justice, Economics
Ms. Keller
30 years teaching
10 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: English 2 Gifted, English 2 Honors, English 1 Gifted, English 3 Honors, AP English Literature and Composition, AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing Honors, and all Gifted Endorsement Courses for Teachers.
30 years teaching
10 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: English 2 Gifted, English 2 Honors, English 1 Gifted, English 3 Honors, AP English Literature and Composition, AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing Honors, and all Gifted Endorsement Courses for Teachers.
Ms. Villucci
40 years teaching
13 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: prior to iPrep all senior high history classes and the Internship Supervisor and Testing Chairperson extraordinaire.
40 years teaching
13 years at iPrep
Subjects taught include: prior to iPrep all senior high history classes and the Internship Supervisor and Testing Chairperson extraordinaire.
Below are students' "good-byes":
Ms. Keller
“She teaches with passion and care about the material.”-- Gus Falcon, Sophomore
"I really appreciate Ms.Keller being a hard a** on us.”--Keith Holmes, Junior
“She made me appreciate grammar and how it is important in daily life.”-Chloe Farrerau, Sophomore
“I took her class one time, but the one time I did was during COVID. I felt so enlightened because the way that she teaches is so specific and detail-oriented. I appreciate the way she teaches and I feel like I've learned a lot from her. Having her as a teacher was great.”--Judy Ladouceur, Senior
“I would like to thank her for bettering my work ethic because it really helped me develop as a student, and I’ve learned a lot from her.”-Pablo Oquendo, Sophomore
“She’s the first teacher to really teach me grammar.”--Alex (Nina) Rabaron, Sophomore
“She was the first teacher that actually made me learn the subject. I became the most grammatically perfect student in her class.” -Enzo Loureiro , Junior
“Ms. Keller, your tough love made you an amazing teacher who I will miss dearly. I hope you enjoy your retirement and life after school ends.”-Khailah White, Senior
“She teaches with passion and care about the material.”-- Gus Falcon, Sophomore
"I really appreciate Ms.Keller being a hard a** on us.”--Keith Holmes, Junior
“She made me appreciate grammar and how it is important in daily life.”-Chloe Farrerau, Sophomore
“I took her class one time, but the one time I did was during COVID. I felt so enlightened because the way that she teaches is so specific and detail-oriented. I appreciate the way she teaches and I feel like I've learned a lot from her. Having her as a teacher was great.”--Judy Ladouceur, Senior
“I would like to thank her for bettering my work ethic because it really helped me develop as a student, and I’ve learned a lot from her.”-Pablo Oquendo, Sophomore
“She’s the first teacher to really teach me grammar.”--Alex (Nina) Rabaron, Sophomore
“She was the first teacher that actually made me learn the subject. I became the most grammatically perfect student in her class.” -Enzo Loureiro , Junior
“Ms. Keller, your tough love made you an amazing teacher who I will miss dearly. I hope you enjoy your retirement and life after school ends.”-Khailah White, Senior
Ms.Villuci
“I thank Villucci for her help with getting my summer internship and making my resume better.” -- Keith Holmes, Junior
“Ms.Villucci is very hard working. She works day and night during testing season. She’s very sweet and always laughs at my jokes. I love her.” -- Cecilia Ise, Sophomore
“Ms.Villucci is a teacher that I've seen throughout my entire life in iPrep who works so hard. She’s always been there to help me, and any time I need to make up a test or do any extra testing, she’s always the best person to talk to.” -Johnathan Oliva, Senior
“She’s so nice; I love it when she's around because her energy brings up my day. She is an amazing human being.”-- Nicole Cohen, Junior
“Ms. Villucci is a beautiful woman, inside and out, who plays such an important role in maintaining iPrep's legacy.”-- Ashley Rojas, Senior
“I thank Villucci for her help with getting my summer internship and making my resume better.” -- Keith Holmes, Junior
“Ms.Villucci is very hard working. She works day and night during testing season. She’s very sweet and always laughs at my jokes. I love her.” -- Cecilia Ise, Sophomore
“Ms.Villucci is a teacher that I've seen throughout my entire life in iPrep who works so hard. She’s always been there to help me, and any time I need to make up a test or do any extra testing, she’s always the best person to talk to.” -Johnathan Oliva, Senior
“She’s so nice; I love it when she's around because her energy brings up my day. She is an amazing human being.”-- Nicole Cohen, Junior
“Ms. Villucci is a beautiful woman, inside and out, who plays such an important role in maintaining iPrep's legacy.”-- Ashley Rojas, Senior
Ms. Gelber
“She made the class really fun with games like the last man standing.” --Keith Holmes, Junior
“Ms.Gelber has been very supportive since the beginning, and I appreciate her dedication.” --Ericka Arvelo, Sophomore
“We’ll miss you Ms.Gelber. I love the debates they’re really fun.” --Ethan Ebizadeh, Sophomore
“I love Ms.Gelber; she is fantastic. She teaches me in unique ways.” --Micheal Valdes, Senior
“Ms.Gelber is a nice teacher; she is tolerant and has a passion for teaching. She really loves teaching.” --Sarah Pedrongodoy, Junior
“Ms.Gelber was always really helpful in class. There were many times when I wasn’t sure and she always helped me out.”--Eneko Pino, Sophomore
“Being Ms.Gelber's student for the past 6 years has been such an awarding experience. She has a heart of gold, and she has so many wonderful stories that I loved listening to. I will miss her dearly, and I am wishing her the best in life! Thank you!”--Ashley Rojas, Senior
“She made the class really fun with games like the last man standing.” --Keith Holmes, Junior
“Ms.Gelber has been very supportive since the beginning, and I appreciate her dedication.” --Ericka Arvelo, Sophomore
“We’ll miss you Ms.Gelber. I love the debates they’re really fun.” --Ethan Ebizadeh, Sophomore
“I love Ms.Gelber; she is fantastic. She teaches me in unique ways.” --Micheal Valdes, Senior
“Ms.Gelber is a nice teacher; she is tolerant and has a passion for teaching. She really loves teaching.” --Sarah Pedrongodoy, Junior
“Ms.Gelber was always really helpful in class. There were many times when I wasn’t sure and she always helped me out.”--Eneko Pino, Sophomore
“Being Ms.Gelber's student for the past 6 years has been such an awarding experience. She has a heart of gold, and she has so many wonderful stories that I loved listening to. I will miss her dearly, and I am wishing her the best in life! Thank you!”--Ashley Rojas, Senior
All
“It’s going to be hard to replace them.” -- Isabella Briceno, Senior
“Keller and Gelber are our school moms.” -- Amalie Ise, Senior
“I will miss them dearly. I really will.” -- Yolanda Muller, Teacher
“They're all amazing teachers and people.” -- Jenna Davila, Sophomore
“They’re my day ones.” -- Nathan Amaya, Sophomore
“We’ll miss you.” -- Charles Dailey, Junior
“Thank you, Ms.Keller and Ms.Gelber, one of the few teachers that actually helped me and made me feel like I learned something in class." -- Khailah White, Senior
“Sucks that you can’t see our classes graduate and you will be missed.” -- Shelby Kai, Sophomore
“It’s going to be hard to replace them.” -- Isabella Briceno, Senior
“Keller and Gelber are our school moms.” -- Amalie Ise, Senior
“I will miss them dearly. I really will.” -- Yolanda Muller, Teacher
“They're all amazing teachers and people.” -- Jenna Davila, Sophomore
“They’re my day ones.” -- Nathan Amaya, Sophomore
“We’ll miss you.” -- Charles Dailey, Junior
“Thank you, Ms.Keller and Ms.Gelber, one of the few teachers that actually helped me and made me feel like I learned something in class." -- Khailah White, Senior
“Sucks that you can’t see our classes graduate and you will be missed.” -- Shelby Kai, Sophomore
These teachers will be dearly missed. As they move on to the next chapter of their lives, the iPrep family wishes them the best.