Physics Teacher Takes Over Class from Online Platform
Pioneer welcomes Julius Munkem, a teacher from Cameroon, to the physics department.
By Sophia Aranda
Pioneer welcomes Julius Munkem, a teacher from Cameroon, to the physics department.
By Sophia Aranda
Six weeks into the school year, Pioneer welcomed new physics teacher Julius Munkem, who filled the vacant position within the physics department. Prior to his arrival, classes were taught using Edgenuity, an online platform, to supplement their learning. Munkem’s classes are the first to transition from the online platform to a permanent teacher.
Munkem came to Pioneer from Cameroon in the northwest region of Africa. He has an abundance of prior teaching experience and is experiencing his first time teaching outside of his native country.
“I taught before moving to the United States, in Cameroon for 20 years,” said Munkem.
“Pioneer is a great school in the San Jose Unified School District. I came across this opportunity online and I realized that it was going to be a great opportunity for me to experience a new life (and) to open great minds.”
Munkem has always been intrigued by physics, ever since he was a child.
“When I was in secondary school I lived with my uncle who happened to be a physics teacher. His students inspired me and I wanted to transmit or to also make other generations benefit from these kinds of skills. So I was really motivated by my uncle,” said Munkem.
With Munkem’s prior experience in teaching, fellow physics teacher Colleen McDonough is looking forward to working with Munkem and what he brings to the department.
“I think he's already brought a fresh way of teaching and a fresh way of approaching students,” said McDonough.“It's always beneficial to the teachers that are all teaching the same core curriculum to hear someone else’s new ideas and new experiences because we can always improve as teachers.”
Physics teacher Trevor Davis is grateful the new addition and is also looking forward to what Munkem will integrate in his classroom as he transitions into the department.
“He's an actual physics teacher which is an improvement over the sub so that's definitely big,” said Davis. “He seems to have some interesting approaches to teaching so that will be nice to have on the team.”
Having a new physics teacher is not only amazing for the physics department but also for students who had been without a teacher previously. With a permanent teacher now leading the classroom, Cynthia Skulborstad, 9, is happy to have Munkem as her teacher rather than rotating substitutes.
“I think for me it was very concerning having to show up to class and not having a teacher. No one knew how long it would be so it was just us, left with the curiosity of who was going to show up and be our teacher,” said Skulborstad.
Although excited to be in a new country, the transition to the United States has opened Munkem to the differences between his home country and where he is presently.
“There are a lot of differences in terms of culture (and) in terms of technology. The level of technology here is very advanced compared to Cameroon and the culture (in the United States) is well organized when compared to Cameroon. In fact there are a lot of differences, but I think I am so impressed with what I've seen so far. I'm learning a lot of things,” said Munkem.
Students such as Alvaro Retes, 9, are also facing the challenges that have come with having a new teacher.
“He does a great job despite his minor struggles with English and manages to put smiles on students’ faces,” said Retes.
As he adapts to his new position, Munkem is ready to give the opportunity his best shot.
“I think to have the chance to teach at Pioneer in San Jose is an added value, not only for the upcoming months, or years, but for a lifetime. I really feel so excited for this opportunity and I'm ready to give my all,” said Munkem.
Munkem came to Pioneer from Cameroon in the northwest region of Africa. He has an abundance of prior teaching experience and is experiencing his first time teaching outside of his native country.
“I taught before moving to the United States, in Cameroon for 20 years,” said Munkem.
“Pioneer is a great school in the San Jose Unified School District. I came across this opportunity online and I realized that it was going to be a great opportunity for me to experience a new life (and) to open great minds.”
Munkem has always been intrigued by physics, ever since he was a child.
“When I was in secondary school I lived with my uncle who happened to be a physics teacher. His students inspired me and I wanted to transmit or to also make other generations benefit from these kinds of skills. So I was really motivated by my uncle,” said Munkem.
With Munkem’s prior experience in teaching, fellow physics teacher Colleen McDonough is looking forward to working with Munkem and what he brings to the department.
“I think he's already brought a fresh way of teaching and a fresh way of approaching students,” said McDonough.“It's always beneficial to the teachers that are all teaching the same core curriculum to hear someone else’s new ideas and new experiences because we can always improve as teachers.”
Physics teacher Trevor Davis is grateful the new addition and is also looking forward to what Munkem will integrate in his classroom as he transitions into the department.
“He's an actual physics teacher which is an improvement over the sub so that's definitely big,” said Davis. “He seems to have some interesting approaches to teaching so that will be nice to have on the team.”
Having a new physics teacher is not only amazing for the physics department but also for students who had been without a teacher previously. With a permanent teacher now leading the classroom, Cynthia Skulborstad, 9, is happy to have Munkem as her teacher rather than rotating substitutes.
“I think for me it was very concerning having to show up to class and not having a teacher. No one knew how long it would be so it was just us, left with the curiosity of who was going to show up and be our teacher,” said Skulborstad.
Although excited to be in a new country, the transition to the United States has opened Munkem to the differences between his home country and where he is presently.
“There are a lot of differences in terms of culture (and) in terms of technology. The level of technology here is very advanced compared to Cameroon and the culture (in the United States) is well organized when compared to Cameroon. In fact there are a lot of differences, but I think I am so impressed with what I've seen so far. I'm learning a lot of things,” said Munkem.
Students such as Alvaro Retes, 9, are also facing the challenges that have come with having a new teacher.
“He does a great job despite his minor struggles with English and manages to put smiles on students’ faces,” said Retes.
As he adapts to his new position, Munkem is ready to give the opportunity his best shot.
“I think to have the chance to teach at Pioneer in San Jose is an added value, not only for the upcoming months, or years, but for a lifetime. I really feel so excited for this opportunity and I'm ready to give my all,” said Munkem.