Golden Apple Award: OLPH, Diana Lee
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Learning a new language is easier the earlier you start. Senora Diana Lee makes the Spanish language come to life for students in Pre-K through 5th grade at OLPH. See why this vibrant and enthusiastic teacher earned this week’s Golden Apple Award.
“There’s so many good things that we can share about Senora Lee. One of the most foundational elements of her teaching practice is her love and enthusiasm for the Spanish language, and the way that she ignites that excitement in our preK through grade 5 students,” Dr. Caroline Flynn, OLPH Principal said.
“Diana Lee is a wife of Jong Lee. My husband is Korean. And is the mother of Stean, Andres and Raphael Lee. And um I am a chemist. I came here in 1996. And first I and was a interpreter English and Spanish interpreter for the Department of Education. And then uh during the pandemic, uh they were needing a Spanish teacher here at OLPH (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) Catholic School. and I came to interview because I didn’t have too much work as an interpreter for the Department of Education, and they hired me. And since then 2020 I’m here teaching Spanish,” Diana Lee, OLPH Spanish Teacher said.
“Did someone influence you along the way to want to think, hey, I could be a teacher?” David Moore, Chief Photographer said.
“Her name is Lydia Gonzalez and I love her dearly. And yes, she encouraged me and when I I keep in touch with her. And I always think um I’m teacher because her,” Lee said.
“Uh everything is in Spanish. Like lapis…pencil. So they know lapis,” Lee said.
“I like about being in Miss Lee’s classes is because like we get to learn about our colors. Um we get to do these projects all over the room. And I just really think she’s kind and she’s fun,” Lioyanne Gillespie, OLLPH 5th Grader said.
“I just like doing Spanish projects and learning Spanish because most of my family speaks Spanish,” Kendall McIntyre, OLPH 5th Grader said.
And she makes everybody laugh.
“Yeah, they wanted to remember that it was fun to come to Spanish. And encourage them to wonder why? Well, we learned this, you know, basic things. Let me get more and more and more, you know, and be more fluent in Spanish,” Lee said.
