Do teachers really do anything but grade? Apparently, they do. Many LACES teachers have hobbies that may surprise students. From video game expertise to musical prowess, teachers may know a thing or two more than formulas and grammar.
For example, LACES resident Canadian and math teacher Mr. Constantinos Tzaferis was an advanced-level Clash Royale player. He got hooked on the game years ago, before it’s explosion into popularity with adults and teens alike.
“So another friend of mine way back when it first came out — we’re talking seven, eight, nine years — a friend of mine was playing it,” said Tzaferis. “He just invited me to play. I just got into it.”
This is not much of a surprise to some of his students because of his younger years playing basketball during college in Canada and his overall personality in and out of class.
“He’s a very competitive person,” said Tzaferis’ former student, sophomore Micah Schwartz. “I’ve seen him warming up before a teacher vs. student basketball game.”
Tzaferis is often seen chatting with his students and giving them tips about the game after his lessons, but he doesn’t play much anymore. Instead, he is passing on his Clash Royale legacy to someone else.
“I used to be but I don’t play much anymore, “ said Tzaferis, “I still have the account because my son is getting into it.”
Next up is one of LACES’ high school English teachers, Ms. Audrey Hong, who was an advanced concert pianist throughout high school and college. She graduated from Occidental College as a piano major.
“I competed regularly and performed nine times with [a professional] orchestra,” said Hong. “I went to college for piano.”
Hong fell in love with piano at a young age and perservered with the instrument, playing throughout her childhood and adolescence.
“I remember my mom took me to a piano recital once and then I was fascinated, begged for piano lessons and then that was history at five years old,” said Hong.
Her students can attribute this hobby to their teacher, even though they didn’t know quite the extent of her talents.
“I knew she was a piano player,” said senior and current Hong student Griffin Patrick. “I had no idea she was a professional and played in concerts. But it makes sense.”
After a hiatus from piano, Hong has picked up the instrument again, recently holding a home recital.
While teachers may not be known by their students for having intriguing hobbies, these are just two of the many LACES teachers proving their students wrong. λ
