In this month’s Staff 10!, we are pleased to present Dennis Ota who joined us in August 2016 as a PE teacher. Initially based in the Elementary School, he subsequently moved to the Secondary School from August 2020. In addition to his regular teaching duties, he is also the Athletics Coordinator.
1) Tell us something interesting about your hometown.
My hometown Toronto, Canada has many interesting aspects. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world with people from many different countries represented. Due to this, there are so many fantastic restaurants! The temperature can range from high 30s in mid-summer to 20s at night in mid-winter.
2) What is your favorite place in the world?
This is a difficult question as I have been to many places and there are still many more places I would like to see. In my younger years I definitely would have answered the beaches in Los Angeles, but recently I would say I really enjoying traveling in Vietnam. Great food and a little bit of everything while being inexpensive and safe.
3) Who would you like to meet if you had the chance and why?
I have already met my favorite hockey player of all time so there is no one else really. If I could travel back in time, I would have liked to talk to Miyamoto Musashi.
4) Do you have any special skills or talents?
Unfortunately, I do not. I can play many sports, but I do not think that is special.
5) Please share a little-known fact about yourself.
I was born in Vietnam and have also lived in Australia, the US, Canada, and Japan.
6) What is your most prized possession?
I do not really put much in possessions but if I had to choose, I would say my snowboard because I love using it.
7) Which IB learner profile attribute do you most closely identify with and why?
Tough one. Maybe a thinker because I am often looking for better ways of doing things, improving things, and working through issues to create the best possible situation available.
8) If you could live your life again, would you do anything differently?
Yes, I would have been braver when I was in middle school, high school, and university. I was shy and sometimes did not step outside of my comfort zone.
9) Is there anything you are trying to learn/improve about yourself at the moment?
Everything. I believe it does not matter what stage of life you are in, you will always come across new situations and new experiences which you will reflect on to try and be better.
10) Do you have any special message for your fans?
Fans?? Lol. Students, stop wasting time on social media. Lol. There are ‘low key’ so many better and more productive ways to spend your time.
