Interview with Math Teacher, Jacob Tafejian

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?

When I was in college, I got a really bad concussion, and I had to take nine months off of school, and then I went back. I only took a couple classes at a time, but I finished my math degree. That was one of my proudest accomplishments because it was very challenging.

2. What inspires you to teach?

I know all the teachers say this, but the light bulb moment in students figures because I’m figuring something out. And also, I know, since last year was my first year, during COVID, a lot of students seemed miserable all day, and so my main goal last year was to just increase the amount of enjoyment they had during the day while also learning some math. So they should just learn to enjoy problem solving. And in its own right, I believe,

3. What would your last meal be?

Oh, boy, like Pad Thai or Thai food? Or some spicy chicken teriyaki or pizza.

4. What is your most embarrassing moment that you can share?

Well teaching can be embarrassing a lot. Like just telling a joke and having no one respond or say anything. When I was first starting, I would get really embarrassed. Just being up in front of in public speaking is embarrassing, and you definitely get used to it.

5. Today what is the worst trend you’ve seen your students participating in?

Well, a lot of them play video games constantly. And that is the most frustrating trend I think. Anything with phones I think can be problematic. Just because like I’ll walk by and I’ll see a phone and it will be exploding with notifications or like I’ll be in the middle of helping them with a problem and they’ll get a notification and then they’ll get distracted.

6. What is the song you know every lyric to?

I’m not very good at remembering song lyrics but I know Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver.

7. If you won the lottery. What would you do with the money?

I’d probably buy a bunch of Bitcoin, and then eventually donate that money to charity once it’s made a lot and I was able to live off of it. And then it’d be cool to start a business. I always wanted to start with small businesses. Just like a coffee shop or something like that. 

8. What is one of your hidden talents?

I like rock climbing. But I don’t really do it as much anymore. But I was doing a lot this summer, I did a ton in high school.

9. Is there another teacher class that you’d like to enroll in for a day? What is it and why?

Maybe the orchestra or a band, so I could listen to the music. Or a science class because I know there’s a lot of really good science teachers here. 

10. Do you have a favorite quote? And if so what is it?

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” -Marcus Aurelius

11. What’s your favorite school sport?

I’ve been to a field hockey game, a soccer game, and a football game this year, and I had the most fun watching soccer.

12. If you could come up with your own school spirit day, what would it be?

Maybe dress fancy. Because they’re (students) always dressed down in some way. It’d be cool if everybody dressed up. That would be fun. Just for one day. 

13. What’s your favorite thing about teaching at collins?

I really like the students here. I liked Fort Collins. I just moved to Colorado last August, so I’m just getting to know the community and everything. I really liked Fort Collins and the students are great.

14. If you were principal for a day, what would you do?

For just one day I would go around to every single classroom and see how they’re doing. Because I don’t get to see really what’s going on in other classrooms ever. 

15. What does being a lambkin mean to you? 

Being Lampkin means being kind to others, being respectful and kind to yourself as well. It’s going to sound like the same thing but caring about your community. Clean up trash, not leaving your lunch out here (outside), and working hard, too, but being kind first.