Like mom, Port Angeles student’s achievement puts her in teacher’s spot

PORT ANGELES — Preetha Patel followed a family tradition when she was selected as the teacher for a day in her Franklin Elementary School third-grade class last week.

Her mother, Minaxi Patel, was selected as the teacher for a day when she was a fourth-grader in India.

Preetha won the honor to preside over her class on Valentine’s Day by winning a geography map game.

Teacher Cynthia Green was searching for an educational website to help improve her students’ geography skills and discovered an interactive site called www.KidsGeo.com.

“There was a world map game that randomly showed 21 different countries and kept time on how long it takes you to drag them onto the world map and place them in their correct spot,” Green said.

“I got hooked on it and played it many times trying to beat my best score. My best score was 93 seconds.

“As a whim, I posted a challenge to my students on my blog and announced in class that the first student who correctly placed the 21 countries on the map and said the name of each country in 100 seconds or less could take over the class and be the teacher for one day,” Green said.

Her blog can be found at www.room5franklinschool.blogspot.com.

“Within two weeks, Preetha could do this in less than 100 seconds,” Green said.

“On the day she challenged me, her time was 75 seconds. Her best score to date is 59 seconds!”

Preetha taught the class 
Feb. 14 and instructed students in math, research reports and handwriting.

“[She] took her job very seriously,” Green said.

“She had us write research reports, complete a math page and work on handwriting; however, the handwriting was of her parents’ native language, Gugarati.

“At the end of the day, she managed a class Valentine’s party with cupcake decorating, games and distributing valentines — all without chaos. She’s quite a kid.”

Green said the practice of having a student teach a class is a regular occurrence in India; a student who is academically advanced and mature is selected.

More in News

Increased police presence expected at Port Angeles High School on Friday

An increased police presence is expected at Port Angeles… Continue reading

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Stanley is sworn in by Judge Simon Barnhart on Thursday at the Clallam County Courthouse. Stanley, elected in November to Position 1, takes the role left by Judge Lauren Erickson, who retired. Barnhart and Judge Brent Basden also were elected in November. All three ran unopposed. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Judge sworn in

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Stanley is sworn in by Judge… Continue reading

Clallam trending toward more blue

Most precincts supported Harris in 2024

Landon Smith, 19, is waiting for a heart transplant at Children’s Hospital of Seattle. (Michelle Smith)
Teenager awaits heart transplant in Seattle

Being in the hospital increases his chances, mom says

Port, Lower Elwha approve agreement

Land exchange contains three stormwater ponds for infrastructure

Clallam County lodging tax funds awarded

$1.39 million to be provided to four organizations

Forks DSHS outstation updates service hours

The state Department of Social and Health Services has announced… Continue reading

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina’s 300-ton marine lift as workers use pressure washers to blast years of barnacles and other marine life off the hull. The tug was built for the U.S. Army at Peterson SB in Tacoma in 1944. Originally designated TP-133, it is currently named Island Champion after going through several owners since the army sold it in 1947. It is now owned by Debbie Wright of Everett, who uses it as a liveaboard. The all-wood tug is the last of its kind and could possibly be entered in the 2025 Wooden Boat Festival.(Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden wonder

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat… Continue reading

Mark Nichols.
Petition filed in murder case

Clallam asks appeals court to reconsider

A 35-year-old man was taken by Life Flight Network to Harborview Medical Center following a Coast Guard rescue on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles via Facebook)
Injured man rescued from remote Hoh Valley

Location requires precision 180-foot hoist

Kevin Russell, right, with his wife Niamh Prossor, after Russell was inducted into the Building Industry Association of Washington’s Hall of Fame in November.
Building association’s priorities advocate for housing

Port Angeles contractor inducted into BIAW hall of fame

Crew members from the USS Pomfret, including Lt. Jimmy Carter, who would go on to become the 39th president of the United States, visit the Elks Lodge in Port Angeles in October 1949. (Beegee Capos)
Former President Carter once visited Port Angeles

Former mayor recalls memories of Jimmy Carter