Photo teacher Ian Pollock is one of the many new teachers who brings knowledge from all over the world to Gunn.

Born in San Francisco, Pollock moved to Berlin, Germany a year later. Pollock spent his childhood in Berlin before moving to San Francisco after high school to attend the San Francisco Institute of Art, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. After graduation, he went through numerous jobs, all pertaining to the arts. He worked in web design and advertising, and finally settled on teaching after earning a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. "I enjoy learning in a classroom setting," Pollock said. "Based on the effect three or four teachers have had on my life, I felt teaching was a vocation with soul."

Pollock is unique in that he would rather students call him by his first name. "We are a community of learners, each of us has expertise in something and a lack of knowledge in something else," Pollock said. "That makes us equals. If you call me Mr. Pollock, I should call you Ms. or Mr. too. I prefer to call you by your first name and so I give you the right to call me by mine."

While Pollock has taught all over California, he has also taught in foreign countries such as Egypt and in the United Arab Emirates. Though his students range from senior citizens to college students and now to high school students, he believes that curiosity, not age, is important. "I like teaching motivated people," Pollock said. "It doesn't matter how old or young, it's how engaged they are."

–Libby Craig

If you ever walk by room L-24, you might see students practicing the art of Tai Chi under the instruction of Yanan Vrudny. Vrudny moved to the U.S. four years ago from China and has taught both Mandarin and English Language Learner classes, first at a school in San Diego and now at Gunn.

Vrudny likes to practice Tai Chi in her spare time–her mother was a professional coach. She has tried to incorporate this aspect of Chinese culture into her classes. "It is good for the students' health," she said.

Besides teaching Mandarin 1 and 2, Vrudny enjoys hiking and traveling. "I've gone hiking in the Alps and in some big mountains in China, but I haven't done Mount Everest yet," she said. She also likes to hike at nearby national parks like Yosemite.

Although constructing the Mandarin curriculum has been a challenge for Vrudny, the transition to Gunn has been a smooth one. "My students have impressed me by their positive attitude, industrious learning style and fantastic improvement," she said. "I'm honored to be here, and I hope to make the Mandarin program more effective to meet our students' needs."

–Jocelyn Ma

New to social studies department is Economics and Contemporary World History teacher Anne-Marie Napolitano. Napolitano attended Menlo High School and graduated from Stanford University with a degree in American Studies.

Her earliest interest, however, was not history, but water polo. Following in the footsteps of her brother and some friends, Napolitano began her water polo career when she was 13. She was eventually invited to join the U.S. National Water Polo Team in college.

Napolitano played full time on the U.S. National Water Polo Team for one year, when she left the team to play in the Italian League in Sicily in order to receive intensive training year-round to stay in shape. There, she was paid for her work, becoming a professional athlete.

After her water polo career, Napolitano decided to switch to teaching because of her own academic experiences. "I didn't used to be a good student, so I believe that everyone has the potential to be a good student," Napolitano said.

Napolitano had a part-time teaching job at Sequoia High School before she came to Gunn. Her job as a social studies teacher and as the coach of the boys' varsity and junior varsity water polo teams at Gunn is her first full-time job.

Napolitano considers being able to teach as her largest achievement and hopes that she'll be a mentor to others for a while. "[My goal is] to have a long and prosperous year in teaching and coaching," Napolitano said.

–Carissa Ratanaphanyarat

New English teacher Theresa Diola bridges the gap between martial arts and meticulous grammar. Diola previously taught at Lynbrook High School, and was the adviser at the Lynbrook Epic. She now teaches Communications, World Cultures and World Traditions.

Diola chose to major in English in college after realizing that her interests lay in the written word rather than biology. She plunged into British literature, Shakespeare and creative writing. "I told my mother and she cried," Diola said. Her passion for English extends to writing short stories, prose and poetry.

However, there is more than meets the eye to this English teacher. In addition to being able to make scones for the English department, Diola holds a black belt in the martial art Tae Kwon Do. She competed in her first years for the belt and she now enjoys the art on the side. Her love for martial arts extends to watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts competition.

Diola brings her charismatic personality into the diverse environment of the English department. "I really enjoy the atmosphere at Gunn," Diola said.

–Ann Abraham

Rachel Haslanger is one of the newest members of the math department. She teaches Geometry/Algebra II, IAC and Analysis.

When Haslanger is not grading papers or teaching, she enjoys swing and ballroom dancing. She began this hobby eight years ago when friends in her college marching band introduced her to various dance clubs on campus. Haslanger views dancing as a "good form of exercise that's fun," and likes the fact that there is always room for improvement.

At present, Haslanger is trying out another form of exercise: water polo. Haslanger is currently looking to join an adult water polo club. Her interest in the activity began when she got a taste of the sport in an advanced swimming class in high school. "It's an outlet for that little competitive streak in me," she said.

Haslanger has enjoyed the relationship between students and teachers on campus. "My impression is that student input is valued," she said. She feels that the Gunn schedule accommodates both students and teachers. Compared to previous schools she has taught at, she also feels that the teachers and students are well supported by the district through the various resources like InClass and up-to-date technology.

–Amy Yu