Category: aHome

Vivian Ton

Ms. Jung has done more than being a teacher for me. She inspired me by sharing all her wonderful life lessons, the way she cared about her students and taught us about mentorship. I remembered  the movie Tuesdays with Morrie that we watched in her class. It taught me the importance of having someone in life that I can come up to when I need it, whether it is to teach me life lessons or someone I can rely on for advice.

– Vivian Ton 

Cal Poly Pomona

Juliana Luna

When asked what I learned from Practical Life Skills 101, my reply was “that you should do things that make you happy. However you also need to be responsible. Also that Ms. Jung is a bad-ass. Sorry for my language.

– Juliana Luna 

Pasadena City College

Tiffany Ton

I remember being in Ms. Jung’s class, and she would always do mindful Mondays and would engage with her students by talking about her life and what she loves. Ms. Jung loves pizza and dancing! She assigned us assignments that have valuable lessons, like Tuesdays with Morrie. I never really had someone teaching me about life lessons, so I’m grateful that I got the chance to be in her class and actually learned something! The life lessons she taught motivated me and made me realize that she is not like other teachers that I have had. She actually cares about us and wanted us to learn something from her class!

– Tiffany Ton 

Cal Poly Pomona

Benjamin Crespin

My biggest success story is Benjamin Crespin. On the first day of class, I told the freshman that half of them would fail my English 1 class because in middle school, they were used to showing up to a class and passing it. I told them that they had to do more than just breathe to pass my class; they actually had to do decent work! Unfortunately, Benjamin didn’t believe me and ended up failing the whole year.
   When he saw that he had me for English 2, he was determined to get an A in my class! He didn’t tell me this until one week before the final. He had a B+ going into the final, and as I read his final, I determined that he had done well enough to earn that A-!
   At the beginning of his junior year, he emailed me that he wanted to be my student aide. Unfortunately, I was going to be off that semester because I had chemotherapy and radiation, so I couldn’t teach. He decided to be the aide for the temporary teacher taking my place for a semester and to be my aide for the second semester. I asked him to make a short video explaining to the students about how he worked hard to go from failing freshman year to getting an A sophomore year  so students could see they just needed to do decent work to pass the class.
   At one point, I told him he was in a unique class of his own to be my student for three years. He responded that he wanted to be my aide his senior year and be my student for four years! Sadly, I told him that would not work out because I had to retire since it was too exhausting to teach and deal with cancer. However, I got to see him one more time before he graduated and went into the Marines!

Larry La

From these two days, I learned that it is important to

1. Budget properly (use spreadsheets, etc.)
2. Follow your dreams/passion
3. Research careers in depth

– Larry La

Rosemead High School

Sarah (Cluff) Stringfellow

Regarding career considerations, “I do think you were a good example of perseverance and adaptability for students and a testament to the fact that what we first set out to do may not be our “dream job” or even our “calling” in life; our path to the future may not be what we think it is or ends where we think it will so we should remain open to what the world has to offer.”

– Sarah (Cluff) Stringfellow

English Language Arts Department Chair & Content Specialist

Theatre Arts Teacher

Rosemead High School

Jennifer Reynoso

Ms. Jung’s class was an extraordinary experience that left a lasting impact on my life. Her ability to share her life lessons with the entire class was truly inspiring and enlightening. Through her stories and anecdotes, she imparted invaluable wisdom that I will carry with me throughout my journey.

Listening to Ms. Jung’s life lessons taught me the importance of resilience, determination, and embracing vulnerability. Her raw honesty and authenticity created a safe space for everyone to open up and reflect on their own lives. It was during these moments that I began to peel back the layers and explore who I truly am.

Ms. Jung’s teachings motivated me to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. She encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones and pursue our passions fearlessly. With her guidance, I discovered my untapped potential and started to believe in myself like never before.

What truly sets Ms. Jung apart is her genuine care and support for each student’s well-being. She recognized our individual strengths and weaknesses and tailored her lessons accordingly. She always made time for one-on-one conversations, offering advice and guidance whenever needed. Her dedication to our personal growth was truly commendable.

As I reflect on my time in Ms. Jung’s class, I can say without hesitation that I am a better person because of her teachings. I have gained confidence, transformed my mindset, and found a deeper understanding of myself. The lessons I learned in her class extend far beyond academics; they are lessons for life.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of Ms. Jung’s class and to have learned from such a remarkable individual. Her passion for teaching and her unwavering belief in her students have deeply impacted my life. I will forever cherish the memories and the lessons learned in her class.

Thank you, Ms. Jung, for being a guiding light and helping me find my true self. Your teachings will continue to shape my journey and inspire me to reach new heights.

-Jennifer Reynoso

-Rosemead High School 

Lorelie Ibarra

“I went on to Pasadena City College to study Psychology with plans to transfer to a 4 year university. I ended up graduating from PCC with three degrees! Psychology, Natural Science, and Social Behavioral Science. Throughout my time there, my favorite courses were my English classes! I took three and loved every single one! I found myself reflecting on your class and NEVER using contractions because you would emphasize that it made essays stronger (and it is true).