English teacher Stephanie Fujii wants every student to walk away from her classes feeling appreciated and ready to take on the world.
“I really want them to think about their place in the world and their duty to themselves and to other people,” the Fremont High teacher says. “I want them to come away from my class having some sense of what they stand for in life.”
Fujii has been chosen as Fremont High School’s teacher of the year. A teacher at FHS since 2006, Fujii has impacted the lives of many students through work as an instructor, mentor and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) coordinator.
Fujii is “such a great representation of this school,” says Fremont principal Bryan Emmert.
Fujii teaches ninth-grade literature/writing, 11th-grade American literature honors, and AVID classes.
According to the website for the organization, AVID is “a global nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other post-secondary opportunities.” AVID teachers begin with their students as freshman and continue to instruct them in tools for success until they graduate.
Fujii began teaching AVID classes in 2009, and her first group graduated in 2013.
Former student Emma Dugan, who graduated from Fremont in 2012, recounts how Fujii made a difference in her high school career and life as a whole.
“Mrs. Fujii had a tremendous impact on myself and so many other students,” says Dugan. “She is always pushing you to be your best self academically, professionally and personally. She is hilarious and kind as well, which makes everyone feel like they can be themselves.”
As for her regular students, Fujii goes out of her way to try to make learning fun and engaging, and enjoys seeing her classes progress as people along the way.
“I really like the conversations that happen with the kids. Just listening to them and seeing them come into their own and to hear them realize things about themselves is really cool,” Fujii says. “Discussion is a really big part of my class, and I think it’s important for kids to practice putting their ideas out there and to know that there’s value in everything that they have to say.”
Not only does she teach them life lessons through literature, she takes special interest in her students’ lives, according to Emma Dugan’s sister Abby, who graduated from Fremont in 2010.
“She takes time out of her busy class schedule to help, give advice, or just chat about spring break plans with students,” says Abby. “She wants every student that walks out of her classroom to be successful. I consider Mrs. Fujii to be one of my mentors, and I think a lot of students do.”
Fujii’s responsibilities at FHS do not stop at teaching. In addition to teaching English and AVID, Fujii is adviser for the sophomore class, organizer of staff recognition and celebration, and choreographer of the staff dance for the senior goodbye rally every year.
Staff recognition at FHS is of utmost importance to Fujii.
“Everybody at this school works incredibly hard,” Fujii says. “I want to make sure that people feel appreciated by each other and students.”
Principal Emmert also recognizes Fujii’s efforts to unite the staff.
“She tries to build staff community through feeling appreciated,” Emmert says. “She wants the staff to feel recognized.”
Fujii was honored at the Fremont Union High School District board meeting on March 17. The award is given through a series of nominations done by students and staff. A recipient is chosen by a staff vote.
