New teacher takes over chemistry class

After the prolonged absence of chemistry teacher Fatemeh Sahlolbei, Ben Ku was appointed the new official teacher of the class.

John Heffel
Web Editor

Sahlolbei was on medical leave since January, and her class was being taught by multiple subs throughout her absence. After Sahlolbei had contacted the school to let them know she would not be returning this year, Ku was approached by the administration to take over Sahlolbei’s class. Ku had been previously serving under chemistry teacher Kenny Tse.

“It was sad for me to lose my students in Dr. Tse’s class, but I also was nervous because I didn’t know what these other students were like, what they knew and what they needed help with,” Ku said. “But I also was very excited to help these students learn.”

Ku graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, as well as a minor in accounting.

After he finished his undergraduate education he moved on to become a private tutor. He worked for Spotlight Education Institute, a private tutoring business in Pasadena. There he helped students in math and chemistry and to prepare them for the AP Chemistry test.

After eight years at Spotlight, Ku wanted to help his students out more in the classroom.

“This way, I can invest in more students on a more continuous basis,” Ku explains.

According to his students, Ku is a very consistent, hardworking teacher who tries very hard to help his students succeed.

“I like him a lot,” junior Kyle Smith said. “He is a very good teacher and a very likeable person.”

While Ku is embraced by his new students, he is deeply missed by the students he left behind in Tse’s class.

“I miss having Mr. Ku as a teacher because when I didn’t understand something he was really good at helping me out one-on-one,” sophomore Sarah Bauer said.

Ku notes that the biggest difference from being a student teacher and a main teacher is the amount of time and work managing multiple class periods. Right now Ku has a busy schedule, balancing teaching at El Toro, while pursuing his masters degree in both chemistry and teaching at UCI.

“It is really busy, but I love it,” Ku said.