Hanging out with Hanggie

Welcome to the world of one of the newest AP Language teachers: brightly colored poster boards, a twitter wall, and several movie posters hanging from the walls, including one from her favorite movie, Midnight in Paris.

​Ms. Hanggie, a native of Encinitas, says that becoming a teacher was always a childhood “dream” for her. However, it wasn’t until her AP Language class at La Costa Canyon High School that she decided teaching would be her future. Although Ms. Hanggie always regarded English as her best subject, herown AP Language teacher “really pushed [her] and showed[her] that even though you’re good at it, you still have things to learn even in the subject that you’re the best at.” This sense of self-determination and motivation carried Ms. Hanggie through her English Literature major and Integrated Education program at Chapman University to receive her teaching credentials. After graduating, there was never a question of what she would choose to do for the rest of her life. “English is what I loved so I figured, what better career to choose?”

​Hanggie decided to teach high school as opposed to middle or elementary school because she “wanted to have an intellectual conversation with [her] students.” She also decided that her self-described “sarcastic” personality would match up better with an older age group.

​After securing a job teaching AP Language and English 12at Canyon Crest Academy, Hanggie describes “the first time when I came here and met you guys the first week, I thought that I would’ve died to come here in high school. I think it’s a really accepting campus.” Although Hanggie loves teaching AP 11, she insists that literature is her favorite part of English and states that she “enjoys talking to students about what they see in literature – themes, motifs, connects they make to their own lives – that’s what I enjoy the most.”

​Although teaching is her passion, Hanggie recognizes that there have been a few obstacles to overcome in her first year of teaching. “ You have this preconceived notion of what you think teaching is going to be. Once I got here, yes, it is different than student teaching, but it’s a lot of tough work.” After pausing for a second, she comically asserts that “I’m tired a lot, but every teacher will tell you that their first year was the hardest.”However, perhaps one of the biggest surprises is the atmosphere of Canyon Crest itself. It’s no surprise that many people on campus would describe out students, faculty, and atmosphere as “weird.” However, Hanggie takes a different approach when describing Canyon Crest Academy in one word, stating that we are “progressive. We’re always trying to think of new ways to make the classroom fun and innovative. The students are a progressive group of kids, not a lot of teenagers are all about being themselves and accepting others for who they are.”

​Outside of school, Hanggie coaches cheer along with her sister and appreciates taking a break from the stressful events a school day can bring. It also gives her a chance to do another activity that she loves – dance. When Ms. Hanggie isn’t coaching or teaching, she adores novels such as The Kite Runner and The Other Boleyn Girl, and listening to songs from her favorite band, Maroon 5.

​Walking through the hallways, many may believe that Ms.Hanggie is a student with her youthful appearance and modern ensembles. Through her first year as a teacher here at Canyon Crest Academy, Ms. Hanggie hopes to prove that she is more than qualified to become an inspirational instructor, much like her own AP Language teacher.