Susan Williams and Michelle Forbes open up the second day of
staff retreat by playing a game of thumb war. Teachers used this
time to partner up with someone they did not know well, in hope
of building new relationships.
Dr. Rader adjusts his glasses so
they don’t fall off his face. Teach-
ers laughed hysterically while
playing the game “I have never.”
Reica Kim approaches Mr. Tirkey to compete in a
game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. Winners received
100,000 won in fake money. The goal was be the
staff member to collect the most fake money.
New Elementary Librarian, Ms. Gleason stepped
up and led staff worship during the retreat. She
started each worship time by singing ‘This Little
Light of Mine’ for the children to sing along to.
Huey Lee, Picks up Mr. Kwon’s
son and spins him around. Shortly
after Joey Kim joined in too.
Mrs. Pitkin and
Mr. Pitkin move
down the Indi-
an food line and
grab some of
the naan bread,
made in a tan-
door.
“GSIS is a new environment but
religion keeps people together as
part of Christian community.”
Through coordination and activities, the faculty
retreat on Aug. 26-27 gave staff the opportunity to
rediscover themselves.
All Staff met together in school, to do various ac-
tivities including cooking, crafting, drawing, socializ-
ing, and worshiping while sharing common interests,
cooperating through games, learning to parent, and
sharing stories. The faculty retreat was a meaningful
event for all staff.
Mei Lyn-Freeman, PYP Coordinator said, “I en-
joyed helping with the children in the kids’ club area
with the young children and I also enjoyed cooking
class, and swimming with family.”
“During faculty retreat, I liked talking to other
staff, I also learned the game bridge, which was in-
teresting and fun. But mainly, I enjoyed talking to my
colleagues,” said Scott Wigenton, the MYP and DP
Mathematics teacher.
Teachers were also able to know who they could
work best with by “sharing time with other staff and
getting to know about each other,” said Cindy Choi,
MYP Music and Mathematics teacher.
The retreat provided many opportunities for
staff to continue learning through painting Pop Art
and worshiping with faculty,” said Brianna Chu, MYP
Mandarin teacher. The faculty retreat “provided
many opportunities to discover me”, said Mei
Lyn-Freeman.
“There was personal reflection on spir-
itual time to think about my personal rela-
tionship with God, it also gave me time to
interact with new people and learn about
myself when I’m with adults as well as with
children,” Mei-Lyn Freeman said.
One of the core commonalities which allowed
teachers and staff to get to know each
other and cooperate well in various
activities was their common belief in
God. Scott Wigenton said, “GSIS is
a new environment but religion
keeps people together as part
of Christian community”.
New
Staff members, Mr.
Wigenton and Ms. Cho laugh as they
hold up their one remaining finger in “I have never”. The
goal of the game was to try and get other people to drop their
fingers by calling out something you have never done.
rs .
ral v o and M r . L
oz
S er
a
1
M rs . L ozano M s . L yons
2 3
M s . C h o M r . S m ith
4 5
Senior David Kim stands with his arms
on his mothers shoulders at the staff
retreat. David’s mother, Mrs. Kim is the
on-call nurse and comes to every sports
game to ensure the students are treat-
ed for any injury they may have.
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