"May you live every day of your life." - Jonathan Swift
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1980s
Overall high school experience
9/10. I loved [high school name omitted]. I felt at home (finally) because I had come from a different district in which academics weren't as highly valued. I loved my classmates and most teachers. It was a great time, although very stressful. I think the stress levels at [high school name omitted] in the 80's were what they are at most private high schools today. I wouldn't trade my high school experience. Socially, it was a wonderful time, and I never found its equal.
Grades in high school
Mostly A's. I transferred in from another district, and my prior coursework put me halfway between A-lane and honors math. I picked A-lane so I wouldn't have to do summer school. Ridiculous choice. I wish I'd had better advice.
Favorite subjects
English. I had a lot of AP's an enjoyed a lot of courses, but especially excelled in English.
Struggled with...
Chemistry. I thought the teacher was awful. I enjoyed it much more in college.
Favorite extracurricular
Student government (I don't think that's what you mean by government/civic. I also loved choir.
Life since high school
“I was given a prestigious international opportunity shortly after college, but I didn’t take it because I wanted the stability of my apartment and then-job. A huge mistake. From this, I learned to always say “yes.” If you have to say “no,” make sure you won’t regret it later. ”
Attended college / university at
Wouldn't be very anonymous if I answer this. I went to a small liberal arts college. I was in grad school during my 20's, then started my professorship.
Post-graduate education or training
Graduate school at Stanford (enough people did that for it to stay anonymous :)
Places lived in US
California
Places lived outside the US
Yes, during study abroad.
Current occupations / past occupations
Professor
Industries I've worked in
- Educational Services
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
No, I like my field and my career. I feel very lucky.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
A happy and satisfying family life, a career that is intellectually satisfying and financially sufficient, health and contentment.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
I won a significant academic national award while in college. I believe this success occurred because I wasn't focused on the competition, but rather on having fun and making friends while doing it. I also won a major award within my profession. From that, I was reminded of the importance of hard work. I don't consider personal things (family, etc.) to be accomplishments.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I was given a prestigious international opportunity shortly after college, but I didn't take it because I wanted the stability of my apartment and then-job. A huge mistake. From this, I learned to always say "yes." If you have to say "no," make sure you won't regret it later.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I became a parent. I changed my career trajectory (I let it permanently plateau.) I don't regret that, but the workplace should be friendlier to parents.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I may be unique in some of my answers because I wasn't in the PAUSD before high school. I worked very hard in high school and wasn't exhausted when I got to college. I would never consider putting my children in the current PAUSD before high school. My friends tell (what I consider to be) horror stories about the amount of homework their young children are assigned, and the stress they're already feeling. I think this is a real problem with lasting consequences. I LOVED my [high school name omitted] experience and have very fond feelings toward the district. I hope young kids in the district today get to thrive in the delights and whimsy of childhood, not just focus on academic rigor at such a young age. There is only one childhood.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
I loved going to Rick's Ice Cream (or whatever it was back then) in the evenings throughout senior year, with my Physics AP study group, after we'd finished our work.
