Tracey Kobayashi
Coach, Teacher, Geek
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Before we begin a whole term together, I thought you'd like to know a little about me. I expect a lot from my students, but I wouldn't ask anything I didn't think they weren't capable of doing.
Work Life
I am, by necessity, a jack-of-all-trades. Past jobs include: database and report development for a medical lab; statistical analysis and graphical presentation of research data; digital image editing; website design; race timing; teaching gymnastics to kids; coaching a youth track team; organizing two national-class track & field meets.
More recently, I was an occupational biomechanics/ergonomics consultant, did individual and group training/tutoring sessions in subjects such as: computing and applications training; math & science; english grammar and composition; grammar and conversation for non-native speakers; sports training and conditioning; and of course, human biology/anatomy/physiology/kinesiology.
I currently work in finance/accounting for a semiconductor firm.
I have taught Physiology/Kinesiology to Art students at Art Institute of California, San Franicso, and one session of computer and applications training for the SF Housing Authority. I also taught at Chabot College in Hayward, CA and at my alma mater, San Francisco State University. Going back to SFSU was a lot like being back in school. I found myself slipping back into old habits, like drinking highly caffeinated drinks...a lot!
Personal
I play violin and am teaching myself guitar, and the harmonica, speak enough French to get by, and enough Japanese, Spanish and German to get myself into trouble!
I have lived in the Bay Area most of my life, but have lived other places, including: Massachusetts for two years during graduate school; Bristol, UK for work; and Metz, France.
Education
My most recent educational undertaking has been the occasional course at local community colleges, including accounting and finance work, which allowed me to move into my current position.
Less recently, I earned an MS in Movement Science/Biomechanics at Springfield College, a small, private college in Massachusetts. Springfield was a completely different world from my home in the Bay Area, and my undergraduate experience at San Francisco State University, where I earned a BA in Physical Education/Human Movement. When I finished my undergraduate work, my parents encouraged me to continue studies somewhere completely different from what I already experienced, and the two schools in their respective areas couldn't have been any different! SFSU is huge, Springfield is tiny, SFSU has people of all ages from all backgrounds, Springfield is homogeneous, SFSU has long lines, Springfield has none... Living in an area where people were completely different from my home crowd was as much of an education to me as school itself. Anyone considering going away to school should try it. Even if it's not your ideal place to live, you finish within a few years, which in the greater context of a full life, is not long. You can always go home when you're finished, or you may find the world out there is so fascinating you want to see more.
Physical Education
North Gym
50 Phelan Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112