Teacher Appreciation Month Spotlight - May 26

We've always known that teachers are amazing, but the current pandemic has emphasized just how amazing they are! So in honor of May being Teacher Appreciation Month, we wanted to spotlight some of the incredible teachers that participate in Reading is Cool presented by Druva.

Cezanne Flowers

School: Green Hills
Grade: 3rd
Number of years in Reading Is Cool: 2
Favorite Book:Strega Nona
Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Sharks Player: "My favorite player is Brent Burns. One reason he is my favorite is how he is a team player which spills over into the community. Another reason is his leadership on and off the team because of his charity work. He has raised money for many charities, even the San Francisco Zoo (because he loves animals). I also think many children look up to him because he carries himself of that of a mentor. He not only plays a sports that people love watching, but he gives back in generous ways. I love when professional athletes give back because it shows how humble they are."
How have you kept busy during the quarantine: "First and foremost I have been busy being a mom and teacher. I Zoom with my class 5 times a week and love every minute of it. In my spare time I love to workout, play games, watch sports, and do puzzles. I sooo miss watching sports right now."
If I weren't a teacher, I would be a...: "Working for a professional sports team. I LOVE sports. Ask my students because my classroom is decorated with all Bay Area sports teams. My dream job would be to work somewhere on the court, field or rink. That way I could be close to the action. When I was in college I worked for the Sacramento Kings and loved it. It was an amazing experience that never seemed like a job. All fun, all the time!"

Alison Krupit

School: Redding School of the Arts
Grade: 4th
Number of years in Reading Is Cool: 2
Favorite Book:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Favorite Subject: History
How have you kept busy during the quarantine: "Besides a full time job of teaching, I hike, paddle, and read."
If I weren't a teacher, I would be a...: "Naturalist."

Nate Welch

School: Forest Grove Elementary
Grade: 1st
Number of years in Reading Is Cool: 2
Favorite Book:House of Leaves by Danielewski
Favorite Subject: Social Studies
Favorite Sharks Player: "Jumbo - The carefree attitude, the team-first mentality, the originality, signing contracts on tractors... What's not to like."
How have you kept busy during the quarantine: "Been able to surf a bunch, reading a lot of books, listening to a lot of music, and I got a new puppy."
If I weren't a teacher, I would be a...: "I would probably build furniture. I like the design to completion aspect, and I like working at my own pace, outside, with my hands."

Tammy Fang

School: Orchard Elementary School
Grade:4th
Number of years in Reading Is Cool: 1
Favorite Book: Kid's books: Front Desk by Kelly Yang; Adult's books: Neil Gaiman's books
Favorite Subject: Writing
Favorite Sharks Player: "Joe 'Jumbo' Thornton! Inspired me to learn how to ice skate and understand hockey when watching his game for the first time. Now I can (sort of) skate, and I always get excited when he's on the ice!"
How have you kept busy during the quarantine: "Lots of Zoom meetings with my students, working out, cooking and baking, and reading all those books I never had the opportunity to read."
If I weren't a teacher, I would be a...: "Chef! I come from a big family, and food was always what brought us together. I'd like to think I could do the same if I were a chef."

Shireen Zamani

School: Bishop Elementary
Grade: 1st
Number of years in Reading Is Cool: 1
Favorite Book:The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
Favorite Subject: Science
Favorite Sharks Player: "Barclay Goodroy because he scored the winning goal in overtime in Game 7 during the first round of last year's playoffs, and that was the last game I saw at SAP."
How have you kept busy during the quarantine: "I have been reading and listening to a lot of audibles. I have also been doing lots of art projects (painting) and going on long walks!"
If I weren't a teacher, I would be a...: "Flight attendant so I could travel and see many places even if I wasn't staying for long."