It’s Not About the Money Meet Teacher Victor Wu by Gary Anolik
Science teacher and cross country coach Victor Wu has made quite an impact at Clifton High School.
CHS science teacher Victor Wu will answer any question posed to him, except one — “How old are you?” After talking to this youthful looking teacher one realizes that his experience and knowledge cannot be quantified. It doesn’t matter how old he is, because what he brings to his classroom goes beyond years of experience. Wu is a graduate of Clifton High School (out of respect we won’t say which year). His favorite subjects were math and science and he ran track and cross country all four years. Victor Wu’s high school educational experience was not typical. “I really enjoyed math and I wanted to be in calculus with my friends,” he said. “For some bureaucratic reason I did not get into calculus so I went to see Mrs.
Cristador (currently the principal at School 16). She told me I should try going to Montclair State at night and take pre-calculus. I decided to continue going at night while going to school during the day. When I graduated high school, between AP, CLEP and Montclair State, I already had 96 college credits.” Wu took those credits to Alfred University, one of only ten schools in the country that offer ceramic engineering. Despite the fact that he entered college with so many credits, Wu stayed four years, picking up a second major in theater production. While at school, Wu also got involved in school productions and ran the steeple chase — a 3,000 meter race with hurdles over water. “Try jumping into a pool of water in upstate New York in March. That’s cold.” November 2007 • Clifton Merchant
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