By: Serena Zhang '28 and Lynn Kim '28
With the recent addition of the CoLab, the Cate campus is looking more vibrant than ever! Alongside the new buildings and students, Cate also welcomes new faculty members who are eager to connect, create, and contribute to the strength of The Mesa’s community. With their help, Cate strives to shape a brighter future through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to achieving excellence. The community is excited to see how their initial impressions of Cate have shaped their experiences since joining the community. However, it is only after adjusting to the day-to-day life on campus that they are able to fully grasp the depth of what makes this campus so unique.
Prior to working at Cate, Ms. Santangelo, Cate’s newest ninth-grade physics teacher, taught a demonstration class at Cate in which she was surprised by the students' passion for learning. As she points out, “I thought that my class was so into it!” When asked about her first impression of our school, Ms. Santangelo jumped right into how the students were very polite. For instance, after her first demo class, all the students thanked her afterward and stayed to make sure she heard their appreciation. During the interview, she went on to state how sweet and welcoming everyone is, which she felt benefits Cate’s lively and social environment. When faced with the question of what surprised her since coming to Cate, she answered, “how much is going on all the time.” Previously, Ms. Santangelo had worked at a day school, so it has been a significant change for her as she adjusts to the fast-pace of Cate School. Nevertheless, she adds that it has been less of an adjustment than she originally expected. Since there are many events going on every day on campus, she anticipated it to be “completely exhausting” to work at a boarding school. To her surprise, so far, it has been nothing but a joyful and enriching experience for her. As new members step onto campus, they often yearn for a sense of excitement. For Ms. Santangelo, this is working with a team of amazing physics teachers. Moreover, she cannot wait to be an assistant coach on Cate’s water polo team. “I don’t know anything about water polo, but I am so excited to learn!” Apart from that, she is also looking forward to instructing yoga later in the year during the spring sports season. Clearly, Ms. Santangelo has a busy, yet exciting year ahead of her and the Cate community is more than thrilled to have her join the school!
Tianming Liu, commonly referred to as Liu Laoshi, is Cate’s newest Mandarin teacher. When interviewed and asked about his first impressions of Cate he eagerly pointed out the originality of Cate’s campus. From the newest building, the CoLab, where students can collaborate with each other, to our oldest establishment, the glamorous chapel, where students have passed on their stories for years, every corner of the campus is full of history and spirit. In addition to Cate’s shared spaces, each dormitory has its own spirit and character. Despite living off campus, Liu Laoshi noticed the spirit and community Cate students have with their respective dorms and fellow day students, expressing, “The dorm life is out of this world!” When asked about what surprised him since he started working here, Liu Lao Shi mentioned the student’s enthusiasm for learning and how students actually want to study and learn, an attitude that is not all common nowadays. He was shocked at how Cate completely went above and beyond his expectations in so many ways. When asked what he looks forward to exploring and accomplishing this year, Liu Lao Shi takes on a calm and positive mindset. He values stability and is looking for a smooth transition. He states, “There is a saying in my culture: ‘No news is good news.’ So if nothing pops up, that means it’s been a good year!” Liu Laoshi comes from Beijing China, and brings a unique perspective of academics and character to the Cate campus. He encourages his students to study hard but at the same time maintain a healthy mentality. The Cate community wishes a smooth adjustment for Liu Laoshi!
Although working at a boarding school may seem overwhelming, these faculty members handle their transitions with passion and eagerness. It’s their energy, commitment, and individual essence that add character to their classrooms–bringing more life into everything they do around the campus.
In many ways, the addition of new faculty marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter at Cate. These teachers, with their fresh ideas and unwavering dedication, are not just fitting into the school's existing culture–they are shaping its future. As a united community, Cate continues to enrich its unique spirit through enthusiasm and determination, while also eagerly looking ahead to a future filled with a handful of opportunities and progression.
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