Yeimi Alonso
Crimson Chronicle Reporter
Stephen Lange, an AP math and computer science teacher in SAS, prides himself in planning challenging and interesting subjects. He does this by giving math-related projects and on-hand activities. He mixes both technological activities and hands-on media to keep students engaged while learning.
During class, students are given hands-on class activities that challenge their usual day-to-day work load, that help students apply mathematical concepts through interesting lessons.
Cindy Hernandez, SAS senior who attends Lange’s AP Statitistics class, said she enjoyed a group actiivty with her peers. Students “had to pull back toy cars a certain length and we had to measure how far the car went forward multiple times, that by far has to be my favorite activity we had done in class, I really enjoyed it.”
Lange always excelled in math and computer science but in high school, he believed he would become a writer. He tried many things when he graduated from the University of Southern California (where he majored in economics) but was steered into becoming a teacher as he felt, “a whisper that became a calling.”
Lange also hopes to inspire students to do their best in anything that is put in front of them, he conveys this feeling through having students reflect on their learning and set goals for themselves.
Students who typically spend their time in the main building have heard Lange speak Spanish, he explains that he became acquainted with the language after taking an AP Spanish course in high school.
“The Spanish language comes in handy when I’m communicating a student’s overall performance in my class when I am talking to parents,” he said. Lange can speak the language well but has trouble understanding conversations spoken in it. Curious, he wishes he had spent time in a Spanish-speaking country.
Besides teaching, Lange dedicates his time to caring for his 5 and 7-year-old kids. Lange enjoys being a teacher he, “enjoys the variety” and likes that “every day is a new and different experience.”
Throughout the years he has taught in Hollywood High he can reflect that he has grown more patient as a person, he says “I know I’m all business and I take my job seriously… but I truly love the appreciative students, who realize their potential.”