About Mrs. Ngai

This is my seventh year at Montara Avenue Elementary School, and my sixth year as a teacher in the Math/Science/Technology Magnet. Right now I am attending California State University, Long Beach, to obtain a Master's degree in Educational Technology. I want to learn as much as possible about technology so I can teach it to my students. I enjoy using our computers as often as we can in the classroom.

Before coming to Montara, I was living in Japan for four years, teaching English to Japanese students in high school and junior high school. Sometimes I also visited the elementary schools to teach English words, songs, and games to Japanese children. I always enjoyed teaching the younger children and I think that's why I enjoy teaching elementary school.

I wasn't always a teacher, though! I went to California State University, Long Beach, and received my B.A. in Sociology. After that, I went to Columbia University in New York City and got a Master's degree in social work. After spending a year studying Spanish at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico, I worked as a social worker in Los Angeles for 4 years. I had wanted to go to Japan for a long time, though, and when I got the chance I went, and that's where I decided to become a teacher!

Now, let me tell you a little bit more about me. Anyone who has been a student in my classroom will tell you that the thing I love most is chocolate! Well, this is true! But in addition to chocolate, my favorite things are traveling, studying new languages, and meeting people all over the world to find out what their lives are like. I also love to try all kinds of new foods and I love to find new adventures. I like to go to new places and try things I've never tried before.

On this page you will find some pictures of me, my family, and some of my adventures!

With my sister Theresa at the Taj Mahal in India

Hiking in Yosemite National Park in California

Riding horses in Iceland.