Sarah Pretsky
Staff Writer
At the end of every school year, the Milken community has to say goodbye to a group of teachers who are finishing their time at Milken. Saying goodbye to teachers that students have cultivated relationships with over the past year can be difficult. After a year of learning, studying, and discussing interesting topics, it is time to part. Even though some members of the Milken faculty are moving onto another chapter in their lives, they also treasured their time at Milken. The Roar sat down with some of them to discuss their plans, reflections, words of advice, and wishes for Milken students.
Ms. Miller, Director of Experiential Learning
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
My family and I are moving to the island of Kauai to live and work on a small fruit and vegetable farm.
What will you miss most about Milken?
I will miss the Jewish community and the everyday interactions with thoughtful, fun and inspiring students.
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your students?
Get outside of your comfort zone, try new things, and seek to learn from every experience and encounter that life brings!
Mr. Martinez, Computer Science
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
I plan on finishing summer school and then spending a month in Thailand traveling around the country and teaching computer science to kids over there. I then will come back refreshed and take over as Technology Director and Computer Science Chair at Sierra Canyon School.
What will you miss most about Milken?
I will miss my co-workers, my students, and coaching volleyball. Probably the thing I will miss the most is taking part in the Jewish culture and religious ceremonies at the school. Those had quite an impact on me.
What are you last words of advice of wishes for you students?
Words of wisdom. The great Dr. Seuss said the words “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Now normally I would say something akin to that, but that’s just not my style. So I say to all the students, the mark of greatness is that everything before you pales in comparison, and everything after bares your mark. So be GREAT!! And if that doesn’t work… In N Out has great benefits! (Mic drops)
Mr. Walker, Visual Arts
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
My family and I are returning to the land from whence we came – Northern California. Before my time at Milken, I lived and worked in San Francisco, as did my wife – who was not my wife at the time. We are looking forward to returning to the place we met. We will live in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, where I will be teaching art and chairing the Art Department of a private school.
What will you miss most about Milken?
There is so much to miss. This has been my home for almost a decade. The school is truly as its name indicates – a community. I have been folded into a family of colleagues and students that will be hard to replicate anywhere else. I will miss my friends and colleagues and alumni dropping in to say hello. I will miss Shabbat dinners and campus celebrations. I will miss learning from everyone of you. As so many of my students have reminded me recently, “Mr. Walker, you may not be Jewish, but after working at Milken, you definitely are now Jew…ish.”
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your students?
To all my art students I simply say, remember, do your best, know that regardless of the result,people still love you… but that being said, don’t screw up.
Dr. Lichti, Social Sciences
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
I am retiring. I will be moving to San Francisco, which is where my husband lives.
What will you miss most about Milken?
I will miss the seasonal flow of the school year. I love that it starts in early fall, ends in late spring, gives the year a sense of direction, momentum, and conclusion, and even provides a two-month break. I will miss my fellow faculty members, especially those within my own department. They feel like both a team and a family.I will miss being in an environment dominated by adolescents. High school was not an easy time for me, so I was surprised the first time that I taught high school how much I enjoyed the openness, spontaneity, and energy of 15, 16, and 17-year olds. (I haven’t ever taught freshmen because I’m still afraid of them.)
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your students?
Well, I certainly wish all of you the best and I have absolutely no words of advice. You’re on your own.
Coach Walters, Athletics
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
My plans after Milken are still to be determined.
What will you miss most about Milken?
The thing I’ll miss most about Milken is definitely the students.
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your students?
Last words of advice are not to stress so much, find something to be passionate about, and have fun!
Mr. Weisinger, College Counseling
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
I have accepted a position, in a similar capacity, with another institution.
What will you miss most about Milken?
What I will miss most about Milken is the genuine sense of community and the bonds that I have formed with faculty and staff over the past six years. Without a doubt, I will miss the amazing kids that I got to work with every day.
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your Milken students?
Make the most of your high school experience. Take advantage of all the amazing resources you have before you. Be proactive and keep on top of your process. Be kind to yourself and others, and be grateful for, and take pride in the institution of Milken and the wonderful opportunity it has to offer.
Ms. Khorsandi, English
What are your plans after leaving Milken?
My family and I are moving to Oregon, just south of Portland. We’ll be closer to my immediate family and are just hoping for a little more nature, a little less traffic and a safe environment to raise our two girls.
What will you miss most about Milken?
Oh so many things! Without a doubt, the people. I won the jackpot with co-workers. My friends in 4-111 make my job an enjoyable place to be every single day. I will miss working with the Milken students nearly as much. I have so loved teaching you, but also being taught by you! Also the Jewish events like Purim and Oneg – I mean, the culture here is a pretty irreplaceable one.
What are your last words of advice or wishes for your Milken students?
Have confidence and challenge yourself. You teachers can fill your heads with information, but it is up to you to do something with it. I think A.A. Milne said it best: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Thank you for such a wonderful six years – you have all left such a lasting impression on me.
Thank you to all the faculty for everything you do and the sacrifices you have made for the Milken community. You will be missed!