Language Arts

English:

Ms. L. BAUTISTA - A Track - teaches 6th and 8th grade English and 6th grade Ancient Civilization. Ms. Bautista started teaching at Gage since July 2004. She taught at another school in Montebello prior to coming to Gage. When we asked Ms. Bautista what she likes most about Gage, she said that Mrs. Cole makes her laugh. Ms. Bautista attended Cal State University, Fullerton.

Mr. D. BIRNBAUM - C Track - teaches English/History/AVID. Mr. Birnbaum started teaching at Gage in 2002, after teaching at a school in Carson, CA. What he likes most about Gage is the large amount of technology and hardware, and our street-smart students.

He attended Colorado College, Reed College, Humboldt State, and Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. What does he do during his free time? He likes surfing, backpacking, writing, playing jazz piano, and cooking.

His favorite quote is by Albert Einstein: "The most important thing is to never stop questioning."

Ms. S. CHOWN - C Track - teaches Ancient Civilization at Gage since October 2004. Prior to coming to Gage Ms. Chown taught at a private school in West Los Angeles. The eagerness of the students and the collaborative spirit of many fine teachers is what impresses Ms. Chown about Gage. She attended Cal State University, Northridge - B.A., Southwestern University School of Law - J.D., and Pepperdine University - M.A. Among her hobbies & interests are sailing & gardening.

Her favorite quote is: "The key to education is to respect the child" by Emerson

Mrs. T. COLE - C Track - teaches Language and Social Studies. Mrs. Cole joined the Gage family in 2004. She enjoys the professionalism of her colleagues. She also enjoys reading, crafts, and sleeping. Mrs. Cole has been married for 23 years, has one 20-year old son, and one 16-year old daughter.

Mr. J. CRUZ - A Track - I teach 7th and 8th grade English at Gage since 1995, after teaching at Nimitz MS. I have a great deal of respect for the teachers who work hard in the classroom for our students' benefit. I went to Cal State University, Dominguez Hills and Cal State University, Los Angeles. I enjoy reading, traveling, gourmet restaurants, baseball, and basketball.

My favorite quote is: "Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration."

Ms. L. GUZMAN - C Track - I teach ESL and English. I have been at Gage since 2000. I love teaching literature. I taught at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM). I attended UNAM and the University of Reading in England. I love reading, music, and theater. I go to the theater frequently, especially to musical theater.

"My task is to make you hear, to make you feel, and above all, to make you see. That is all, and it is everything." --Joseph Conrad

Ms. P. JONES - C Track - teaches English and Leadership. She's been at Gage since 1987 and what she likes most about Gage is her students. Ms. Jones went to Ripon College in Wisconsin as well as the University of Wisconsin.

She volunteers at the AIDS Walk Los Angeles. She likes to read and travel, and "there is nothing better than a noon dance," she says. "April is the cruelest month, at least for C track teacher," from TS Eliot's The Wasteland.

Mr. J. NUNEZ - B Track - Mr. Nunez joined the Gage faculty in 2004 after teaching at Middleton St. Elementary. The challenge of teaching and guiding young minds is what Mr. Nunez enjoys greatly here at Gage. He attended Verbum Dei High School and Cal State, Los Angeles. Mr. Nunez' hobbies include woodworking, gardening, playing with his son Nicholas, and enjoying the weekends and time off with his wife and family.

"The choices you make today will affect your future." --Bronx Tale: Movie.

Mr. J. ROBLEDO - C Track - Mr. Robledo teaches 8th grade English and has been at Gage Middle School since July 2000. He was a student himself at Gage! What he likes most about Gage is the people. He also likes hockey, reading, baseball, basketball, and traveling. He went to Miles Elementary School, Huntington Park High School, and Bradley University in Illinois.

Ms. C. SOTO - A Track - (7th grade English and language:1A and 2A) Ms. Soto started teaching at Gage in 2003. Previously, Ms. Soto taught at 5 Acres. "The students at Gage have a rawness and sense of self, that for
their age is more than impressing," she says. She attended the UC, Santa Barbara.

Her hobbies and interests are writing and coaching her niece and nephew.
Favorite quote by Ecclesiastes "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever."

Ms. A. O. TOLELA - C Track - I teach 7th and 8th grade English and DRWC (Developing Readers and Writers Course) since 2004, after teaching at Bethune Middle School for 5 years and Banning High School for 1 year. I think we have really good kids here. I think also that the staff is very dedicated to our students' success.

I graduated from Cal State University, Los Angeles. I enjoy reading, swimming, surfing, running, and shopping for anything! I really love teaching. The students at Gage are some of the best in our district. Keep up the good work!

Ms. J. VALDEZ - C Track - I teach 7th grade English, and Advanced ESL (English As A Second Language), level 3. I started teaching at Gage in 2005. My favorite aspects of Gage are the friendly supportive staff and, of course, the wonderful student population! I went to Nimitz Middle School, Bell High School, and then to Cal State University, Los Angeles.

I am a big fan of the TV show: "I love Lucy." I collect memorabilia such as dolls, trading cards, and lunch boxes. It's been my favorite show to watch since I can remember. My favorite quote is: "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." -- Confucius

E.S.L. (English As a Second Language) Teachers:

Ms. A. ARELLANO - A Track - started teaching at Gage in 2001, after being a teacher's aide, and a student here. What a privilege for our school! She also attended State St. Elementary, Bell High School, and Cal State Fullerton. She enjoys watching TV, movies, gameboards, and knitting.

Ms. N. AZUAJE - A Track - has taught at Gage since 1983. Good camaraderie is what she likes about Gage. "Students can act silly, but they are good at heart," she says. Ms. Azuaje attended Cal State Fullerton / Ohio University, and the Goethe Institute in Germany. She enjoys painting, children's drama and reading. Ms. Azuaje works diligently with her team to develop effective instructional materials. Oh, and she speaks English, French, Spanish, German, and Vietnamese. She spent a long time in Vietnam, Venezuela, and Germany.

Mr. D. BUENO-HILL - C Track - My name is Mr. Bueno-Hill and I was born in Queens, New York. I moved to L.A. when I was 3 and I have been going back and forth ever since. I teach ESL and English on C-track. I have been teaching here at Gage since 2001!

   My hobbies are watching wrestling (it's all about Triple H) and rooting for the Clippers in the NBA, NOT THE LAKERS!! I love playing word games like Scrabble and Text Twist; I'm a big nerd. I also enjoy reading horror and science-fiction novels. Writing poetry and short stories is something I've been doing for over ten years. Creative writing is a way for me to express my thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a quiet and constructive way.

   I went to Baldwin Hills Elementary School and John Burroughs Middle School in L.A. After attending four different high schools I finally graduated from Richmond Hill High School in my hometown of Queens. My first college was California State University at Northridge, where I got my B.A. in creative writing. Then I went to California State University at Dominguez Hills to earn my teaching credential.

   My favorite movie is True Romance from writer/director Quentin Tarantino; it stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette with cameos by Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Pitt, and many more famous actors who were not famous when they made this movie.
   My favorite book is The Third Eye by T. Lobsang Rampa. It is the autobiography of a Lamaist who was born into a rich family and later finds out he is destined to be a medical monk. I know it sounds lame, but it is really an exciting and unbelievable story.

   If I had to give one message to all the students here at Gage it would be a quote taken from a Buddhist text: "We shall cling to nothing, for there is nothing strong enough to hold us." This basically means, do not be afraid of change. Accept the different stages of life as they come and always be ready to rethink the ideas we accept as true in our lives.

   Thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about me! Do your homework, listen to the people that care about you, and always remember that we live in America where any dream can come true as long as you work hard and believe in yourself!!

Ms. M. CRAWLEY - C Track - has been at Gage since 1989. She has taught 6th grade Math and Social Studies, and all levels of ESL. Ms. Crawley was raised in Brooklyn, NY, and received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona. She is married, and has five children.

Mr. I. GORDILLO - B Track - I teach ESL and English. I have been at Gage since 2006. What I like most about Gage is that the students are very eager to learn from teachers that are willing to teach them.

The schools I went to are: Miles Ave Elementary > Gage Middle School > Huntington Park High School > Cal State, Los Angeles. During my free time I play guitar and read a lot. I also like playing videogames like, the Final Fantasy, and Metal Gear Series. My favorite movies are Star Wars (OT), Prequels, and The Godfather.

"Cogito ergo sum."

I am a big fan of Johnny Cash and The Beatles

Ms. A. T. GUZMAN - B Track - The subjects she teaches are English and ESL. She started teaching at Gage Middle School in 2001. What she likes most about gage are students and staff. She went to school at Cal. State University, Fullerton, Bill High School, Gage Middle School, and State Street Elementary. Her hobbies and interests are: reading, knitting, movies, listening to music.

Ms. S. A. JARDIN - C Track - likes the kind and supportive staff here at Gage. She came in 2005 after teaching at a private school. Ms. Jardin attended C.S.U.L.B. and enjoys reading, going to museums, art, going to the movies, and attending plays and concerts. Her favorite quote: "Feel the fear and do it anyway." -S. Jeffers.

Ms. M. G. PACHECO - A Track - (ESL/English/Social Studies) Ms. Pacheco has been part of the Gage family since 1995, after teaching at Nimitz Middle School. She enjoys her students and the friendly staff. She also enjoys spending time with her three children. Her alma matter: Cal State University, Los Angeles.

Mr. R. PEREZ - A Track - (6th Grade Core) Fancies himself a "jack of all trades." Since coming to Gage in 1994, he has grown to appreciate the chemistry of our staff and the relationship between Gage and the Huntington Park Community. Mr. Perez feels that the good communication level amongst the Gage staff will get even better with the advent of computer communications. He is more than glad to share with other teachers how privileged we are to have such conditions for success.

Ms. L. A. SKELTON - B Track - I teach Art on B-track. I came to Gage in July of 2003. I moved here from Taos, N.M. with 6 years of teaching experience. I taught at Lawndale H. S., Lawndale, CA; Chama Valley Independent Schools, Chama, NM; Arsenal Technical H. S., Indianiapolis, IN; Northwest Cassen H. S., Oklahoma City, OK.

The students here at Gage are bright, funny, and kind. I am always amazed at how so many get along so well, actually.

I attended Cal State University, Fullerton (MS in Environmental Science), NMHU, Las Vegas, NM CO Edmond. I have been a ceramicist, a muralist, and a portrait artist. My hobbies are hiking in the mountains, hanging with my daughter, landscape painting, drawing portraits, dance and music, and the power of prayer.

"Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening." --Mahatma Ghandi

Mr. C. WONG - A Track - I have been at Gage since 1988. I teach E.S.L., 7th grade English, Creative Writing, and Guitar classes after school. What I like about Gage is that I can help students to learn. I like the kids that come to learn. I taught at Belvedere Elementary School, East L. A., and Adult Education at Roosevelt High.

My hobbies include playing the guitar and singing, writing songs and recording them. I also enjoy watching boxing. I am Chinese, Mexican, and American. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I visited many countries in Asia during my four years in the Navy.

My favorite quote: "El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz." -- Benito Juarez

Mr. M. WOODING - B Track - teaches ESL and English to 7th and 8th graders. Mr. Wooding started teaching at Gage in 1993, after teaching at Rowland High School, Esperanza High School, and El Rancho Adult School. Mr. Wooding enjoys working with other teachers. The schools Mr. Wooding attended are Shasta Jr. College, Biola University, Talbot Seminary, and Cal State University, Fullerton.

Mr. Wooding played basketball in High School/College/Overseas/City leagues, and now writes/records songs and plays guitar/sings in church worship band and in a band "Kingdom Road." He also works in a Christian ministry for teens called "chrysalis." He likes to read about history and theology.

Get this!, Mr. Wooding has traveled to 30 countries in Asia, Europe, and Middle East. He has also visited 33 American States. He's married and has a son and a daughter in their early 20's.