From recording studios to the classroom with Carina Lee

Did you know one of our very own CVHS teachers, Carina Lee, sang in a well-known recording studio where some famous musicians recorded their Grammy-winning works?

Lee started her career in college, where she studied Biology and Human Development. Human Development taught her about how our minds and brains change throughout our lives. She didn’t want to go into the medical field, so she thought teaching would be a good alternative. She loves that she gets to apply both her degrees in the classroom. 

“Ms. Lee is helpful and understanding,” said previous biology student Zaleeya Mitchell.

Lee taught in South Central Los Angeles which was very different from Castro Valley schools. Teaching at CVHS is way calmer for her because the students at her old school were rowdy. She took a 16-year-long break after experiencing the students she taught starting up gangs. During that time, she raised two children aged 17 and 19. Now she’s here with us and doesn’t plan to stop teaching soon.

Lee’s favorite times of the year are when students create a home for fish. Students put all sorts of vegetation and rocks in the fish’s habitat. During this time, she teaches homeostasis, which means balance. Every day, the students would test the pH level with a stick, which would show a certain color if it was right. Unfortunately, some fish did die, but it was for educational purposes. 

“It’s not the little things involved in making it, but rather seeing everyone grow towards each other as the year goes by,” she said. In other words, Biology is not her favorite part of teaching, but rather seeing everyone find their friends, Lee explained.

Another time of the year Lee enjoys is March Mammal Madness, when students and teachers compete against each other to see which animals will win in an internet-based contest. For example, do you think a red panda or a chimpanzee would win? The answers change every month because it is up to chance. Sometimes, the animals fall off a cliff, and a bear loses to a mouse.

Lee is an avid artist; she has created a variety of crafts. She crocheted little animals, knitted sweaters, sewn costumes, beaded and knotted jewelry, folded paper into birds, and tied string into butterflies. She used to work for a famous jewelry designer who got featured in fashion magazines and even some television shows like “Friends.”

This quiet teacher has done so many exciting things, yet not one has heard of them. She has quite an interesting background once you inquire.