Junior Kevin Chiang doesn’t mind saying he is a teacher’s pet. He said that for him, maintaining good relationships with teachers is not a difficult task.
“Just stay respectful, say ‘hi’ every once in a while, and don’t take anything for granted,” Chiang said.
History teacher Jim Chin, Chiang’s world history teacher last year, said that he first liked Chiang because of academics.
“He was a good student, and he always worked really hard,” Chin said.
Chin said that he and Chiang were able to bond over a shared sense of humor, something that goes beyond pure academics.
“Sometimes he would say snarky things and extremely funny but historically accurate comments in class,” Chin said. “I am a big fan of those jokes.”
Chiang’s relationship with Chin developed throughout Chiang’s sophomore year, so when Chiang requested to be Chin’s teacher’s assistant this year, Chin immediately agreed.
“I liked [Chiang] as a student, so I let him be my teacher’s assistant,” Chin said.
Chiang said that his role as a teacher’s assistant for Chin has further allowed him to develop bonds with him.
According to Chiang, the rapport he has with has teachers has proved useful over the years.
“I felt that I was able to get a lot more out of world history by maintaining a good relationship with [Chin],” Chiang said.
Chiang added that in his world history class last year, he felt less intimidated reaching out to Chin whenever he found the material difficult to understand.
“I was more comfortable asking him questions and asking for help whenever I needed to,” Chiang said.
According to Chiang, his ability to build connections with teachers aided him when he was applying to summer programs this year.
“It was easier for me to ask Chin for a recommendation letter because I maintained a good relationship with him,” Chiang said.
However, contrary to popular belief, Chiang said he finds no academic benefits to being the teacher’s favorite.
“[Academics are] more about how hard you work in the class,” Chiang said.
Additionally, Chiang said it requires no academic skill to become the teacher’s favorite.
“[Grades] don’t really matter in my opinion, as long as you don’t do anything that offends the teacher,” Chiang said.
