article by Nick Lesiuk

 

It's Friday in room H-315, and as social studies teacher Patrick Hopkins prepares to start his lesson, students recite in unison, "Happy Friday Mr. Hopkins. You look beautiful today!"

 

Hopkins unique Friday ritual isn't the only thing that distinguishes him from other teachers: students describe his energy, passionate outbursts and exaggerated movement as trademarks of his teaching. Students feel that his lively teaching style, apart from being entertaining, helps grab their interest and focus on what's being presented.

 

Hopkins, who teaches regular and AP economics, AP U.S. government, and AP comparative government, will be leaving SAS when this school year finishes. Hopkins will be moving back to New Hampshire, his home state, to be closer to his family, and teach there. Hopkins will be at the New Hampton School teaching social studies and possibly AP comparative government, economics, and U.S. government.

 

Students said that Hopkins' teaching style was not only entertaining, but helped them learn the course material. "He's very enthusiastic about what he teaches. You can really see it in whatever we're learning about, it's not only entertaining but helps us learn," junior Adrian Bautista said.

 

Most students feel this way, describing his demeanor as mercurial. "He's just really silly. He'll be really serious one minute and then all of a sudden he'll burst out and get really passionate about the subject," said senior Britt Hvide. "I'll miss him because of his quirky personality."

 

Hopkins deliberately shrouds his political orientation in secrecy so that he doesn't influence his students' political views while teaching. This secrecy has created debate among students who are all sure they've pinned it down: "He's a Democrat for sure," senior Megan Anderson said.

 

"I think he's a Democrat. I mean he's from New Hampshire," Hvide said.

 

"Well, I think economically he's definitely conservative," senior Devin Hardee said.

 

The mystery will soon come to an end as Hopkins has said he might reveal his view on the last day of school. Hopkins said the best part of teaching at SAS is the students, and that he's had an enjoyable ten years at SAS.

"Great, really liked it here. Good school, great kids," he said.

 

article by DJ Hartman

 

With a reflective stroke of his beard, social studies teacher Michael Stagg contemplated he profound effects he predicted his departure from SAS would cause.

 

"I imagine when people read the headline 'Staggo leaving,' they'll glance over it, breathe a sigh of relief and continue on to the next article," Stagg said. Stagg, referred to by colleagues and students alike as 'Staggo,' leaves SAS this June to be with his wife, counselor Beth Kramer, to be closer to Kramer's mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

 

"She needs people close to her who can help her with day-to-day stuff and if we stay in Singapore, we'll have missed that opportunity," Stagg said. He and Kramer leave this June for Ohio, despite some of his apprehensions about living in the United States.

 

"The politics in the last few years, I find distasteful. I'm not particularly big on the broader culture, there's far too much importance placed on money and the size of things. I'd be much happier living somewhere less developed, say Cambodia or Laos," Stagg said. Stagg will miss Singapore's food and year-round tropical climate.

 

When Stagg first arrived in Singapore in 2002, he was approached by former principal Paul Chmelik to start the first geography courses taught in the High School. Eventually, this led to the start of the AP Human Geography at SAS, one of the newest social studies courses offered by the AP College Board.

 

Among other things, Stagg will be remembered as the Model United Nations Coach, a position he took in 2002. "MUN won't be the same without Staggo there to make fun of us and occasionally give a bit of advice," said junior Joon Park, and IASAS MUN delegate.

 

Students who've been taught by Stagg, teachers who've worked with him and MUNsters will all remember the peculiar nicknames assigned to them by Stagg, such as 'Handy-Dandy-Andy,' 'Sideways,' 'Willy Billy the Third,' 'Disco Dan,' 'Hello-Hello,' and 'Finchy Bird.' "I'm going to miss Staggo and his bearded shenanigans," senior AP Human Geography student and IASAS MUN delegate Abhay Puri said.

 

Social studies teacher Devin Kay started teaching and coaching MUN with Stagg this year. "Staggo is definitely the most friendly and receptive person at SAS. He's great at coaching MUN, and from what I hear, he's a great teacher, but I think he's an even better person," Kay said.

 

article by Ann Lee

 

Counselor Beth Kramer and husband Michael Stagg cycle 32km to and from school every day. They leave at 5.00 every morning, arriving at school around 5.50am. Kramer goes straight up to the office, cools down, and then heads to the faculty bathroom to take a shower. She is at her desk by 6.40am. "She comes in with her helmet on sometimes," counseling secretary Ylva Bracken said, "She is always cheerful after coming in cycling every morning. She is always really helpful, very knowledgable and kids love her. She really makes our day."

 

As soon as summer break starts, Kramer, a counselor at SAS for the past eight years, will leave for a new home in Cleveland, Ohio. Kramer said that she and Stagg will care for her ailing mother there.

 

Kramer has counseled about 1200 students during her eight year stay. She said she hopes that she made a difference in students' lives. "I really enjoyed working with students with a wide range of talents," she said. She said that her memorable moments were seeing kids happy after being accepted to the colleges of their choice. When junior Maria Lloyd entered Kramer's office to talk about college applications for next year, she had no firm idea where she wanted to go, or what she wanted to do.

 

"Ms. Kramer really helped me figure what kind of college was suitable for me," Lloyd said.

 

Kramer was a senior class advisor with Mimi Molchan, and planned events such as senior appreciation day. She has also helped organize MUN conferences. "She was proactive and insightful; she really wanted to help kids," Molchan said. "She knew what they wanted as an end result, but allowed them to be in charge."

 

Kramer has been senior Caitlin Murray's counselor for the past three years. "She's one of those people you can go to and start talking about anything," Murray said. "Some might be scared to go to a counselor about something, but Ms. Kramer is not like that. She's very open."