Russell Griffith –Physics Teacher
A new physics teacher is coming to Piedmont high school for the year 25-26.
Before moving back to California, Griffith worked in eight different states and lived in the UK for three years, but Griffith is very excited to be back.
“I am super excited to start teaching at Piedmont, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the students while also growing alongside them,” said new Physics teacher Russell Griffith.
Griffith is from Piedmont and attended PHS, where he graduated in 1999.
“While I was in high school I ran for the Piedmont track and field team and for the cross country team,” Griffith said. “I played the trombone, and I was in a ska band, so in my senior year we won the battle of the bands.”
Teaching at PHS will be Griffith’s first professional teaching job.
“Before working here I worked as an engineer in the energy industry for 20 years,” Griffith said. “The most recent thing I did related to that was projects I led at PG&E, and the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce wildfire risk here in California.”
Griffith hopes to find creative ways to bring his experience into the physics curriculum.
“Throughout the year I want to use what I know about energy in the class, and I can’t wait for students who are interested in energy-related careers,” Griffith said.
After PHS Griffeth went on to get his Undergraduate degree at the US Naval Academy, and then he went to UC Berkeley for his graduate degree.
“In college I studied engineering and business, so I think I have a wide perspective on how education can lead to certain jobs before or after college.
Outside of Griffiths new job, he loves the outdoors and loves to camp. He has camped up and down the west coast.
“I have been on so many camping trips, I don’t think I could remember all of them, there are just too many,” Griffith said. “My most recent trip was to the Grand Canyon, and it was so beautiful and amazing.”
Marth Ng – Spanish Teacher
There will be a new addition to the Spanish department next school year as well.
“I can’t wait to start at Piedmont, and I am very excited to work with the World language team,” said new Spanish teacher Marth Ng. “I want to continue the legacy of excellence at Piedmont High.
Ng loves teaching and thinks it can bring many opportunities in life.
“I love teaching Spanish, because I think it empowers students to connect with people from other cultures as well as their own,” Ng said. “I love the opportunities that learning a second or third language can bring our students- from college credit through the AP Courses, it brings better opportunities to immerse yourself when you travel, and being able to help more people later on in their career/lives.”
Ng has taught various Spanish levels, all ranging in difficulty.
“I’ve taught everything, Spanish one through three, Spanish four honors, and AP Spanish Language as well as AP Spanish Literature.
Ng said that she has also taught Spanish Three Honors and Spanish Four Honors.
Ng is from Texas, and has been living in the bay area for six years now where she has been teaching Spanish at other schools.
“My first year in the Bay Area I taught Spanish at Oakland high school, and for the past five years I have been teaching at Hayward high school,” Ng said.
Outside of Spanish, Ng loves to go to church, spend quality time with her family, and is learning cantonese.
“I have been practicing for six years now, and the way I have been practicing has been mostly conversational,” Ng said.
Ng also loves to travel, but recently it hasn’t been the easiest for her to travel.
“I really enjoy traveling, but it is not the easiest now because I have to take care of my two amazing toddlers,” Ng said.
