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Monta Vista's program has a new leader

By ERIN HUSSEY

Brian Dong was known as an involved student leader when he graduated from Monta Vista High School in June 2000. Now a second-year geometry teacher at the Matador campus, Dong is about to take the reins of the leadership program--precently run by two teachers who left the district under controversial circumstances--that helped shape him as a student.

Whatever led to the departure of Monta Vista teachers Tim Krieger and Melanie Walczak, it was not an issue when Dong graduated from college and was looking for a job.

"I really liked this area, and so when I started looking for a job, I applied at some of the districts," Dong said. At the time, Monta Vista wasn't looking to hire, but just as Dong was starting to shift through his offers, he got a call.

"The principal said there was an opening and that I might be a perfect fit," Dong said. Joanne Laird, now-retired assistant principal who mentored Dong when he was at Monta Vista involved in student leadership, said, "The leadership program has come full circle."

Dong gives credit to his predecessors, Krieger and Walczak, for the quality of the program he'll now head. During his first year back at Monta Vista, Dong reintroduced himself to the leadership program he loved as a student. After he graduated and Laird retired, Krieger and Walczak took over the program, developing it into an official class.

"They did it all, and I want to acknowledge their legacy and their work," Dong said. "I think what they did was great, and I am going to try and maintain that and help the program."

Over the Aug. 12 weekend, 95 students participated in the school's annual leadership retreat. Krieger and Walczak returned to help Dong run it. "Tim and Melanie were so kind to come back," Dong said.

Dong is well-suited to assume the reins. Laird, known to the students as "Mama Laird," worked closely with Dong when the two helped plan the 64th annual National Association of Student Councils Conference in 2000. "I have watched Brian grow up and was so excited when he decided to become a teacher," Laird said.

"When he got this job I thought, how wonderful. His youth, energy, enthusiasm and vitality will be great for the program."

Initially, Laird remembers, Dong was a quiet student who didn't start to blossom until he experienced his first National Leadership Convention during his sophomore year. It was there that he recognized his passion for student leadership.

Dong was selected to be a master of ceremonies for the 2000 NASC Conference, responsible for meeting with the national committee every other month for three years and center stage for the majority of the 2000 conference. "Seeing him onstage and the poise he had in front of 2,500 people sealed it," Laird said. "I knew he was going to go somewhere."

After graduating from Monta Vista, Dong attended the University of California at Davis, where he received his bachelor's degree in mathematics and teaching credentials. In 2005, he returned to his alma mater as the new geometry teacher. "I was a little nervous at first because I am still pretty young, and the kids are very interested in your life," he said. "I first tried not to tell the kids that I went to school here, but after a while they found out and it wasn't a big deal."

At the recent retreat, as Krieger and Walczak took charge, Dong said, "I just sat back, met the students, bonded with them and had a lot of fun." The focus of the retreat, he added, was to share ideas, set goals and create mission statements for each of the student commissions.

One item Dong brought to the table was the idea of fostering student passions versus pushing general school spirit. "Instead of saying 'Come to this event because it needs more people,' " he said, "we are asking 'How can we support the existing interests of students?' That's our main focus this year: to promote that kind of spirit, to support their passions."

The concept of passion is something Dong gained from having Laird as a mentor. "What I learned from her was her passion for what she did," he said. "She was inspirational and excited about almost everything she did as a teacher."

Monta Vista principal April Scott knows Dong has a passion for teaching. "Brian brings the commitment for Monta Vista, the passion for developing student leadership and the vision for taking leadership to the next level," she said. "We are very fortunate to have him as a gifted mathematics teacher and as a role model and inspiration for students. He is perfect for the role."

Dong is eager to start working with his students again, both in geometry and leadership. "I want all of my students to realize that they are individuals and they are problem-solvers," he said. "I don't want to be known as 'the leadership teacher' or 'the math teacher,' I just want to be a teacher and reach out and help kids and support them anyway I can."