LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Christine Reimer was nominated by a member of the community, Michael Solari. 

Ms. Reimer, a dedicated educator, teaches Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History, Careers in Teaching, and Sociology at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. She first taught there as a student teacher in 1996, before working as a full-time teacher at Clayton Valley High School through 2013-14, when she returned to Northgate. She taught dance and history at Clayton Valley, but was tapped for sociology and careers in teaching, in addition to history, when she got to Northgate. She completed her Master's Degree in Teaching Leadership at Saint Mary's College of California in 2013, so the principal at the time thought she would be a good fit to work with students interested in teaching. She is now in her 30th year of teaching, and in her sixth year of teaching AP U.S. History.

"I love the interaction with the students," said Reimer, who teaches 133 students each day. "I look forward to coming to work. The best part is seeing them excited about learning and making connections. That's very fulfilling. I really want my students to learn things that will help them better understand their world. History only matters when you can see yourself in it. I'm teaching them skills to analyze information, to be problem-solvers, and to be able to craft arguments and utilize evidence effectively."

She tells her Careers in Education students that teachers don't just help students learn to read or do math. Teachers encourage students and support them to be the best people they can be.

Ms. Reimer also enjoys working together with her colleagues.

"The collaboration among the Social Sciences Department here at Northgate is exemplary. I wish all teachers had the support and cohesiveness we have. We work together and support each other to create transformative experiences for really unique students. These include the school's Mock Congress for seniors and the 'If I could change the world' project for juniors, as well as helping to support English teachers when students undertake their senior projects," said Reimer.

Her students said she is passionate about teaching history, and she goes deeper into the curriculum than the AP text.

"She knows so much," said an AP History student. "She's able to add to the text and make it more interesting."

"She has a very dynamic teaching style," said another AP History student. "She talks about important issues that some teachers might be hesitant to address."

The students also said she builds relationships with them that make them enjoy coming to class.

"She cares about us and about the way we ingest historical reasoning and content," one student said. "She knows how to make things stick and get it across to high schoolers."

These students also agreed that the skills Ms. Reimer is teaching are beneficial in other classes and in life.

"Just in general," a student said, "the ability to analyze, reason, and opinionate on something - I think that's invaluable." 

"I first met Christine as her U.S. History student when she was a student teacher at Northgate," said Meg Honey, an ethnic studies and U.S. History teacher and 2017-18 MDUSD Teacher of the Year. "As her student, I was inspired and excited every day in her class. Christine continues to set the standard for professionalism, empathy, historical knowledge, and dedication. I feel so lucky to be Christine's colleague at Northgate, 31 years after we first met! Congratulations, Christine; you are loved, respected, and celebrated by students and teachers alike!"