by Jean Wang

New chemistry teacher Alec MacLean hasn’t always been a teacher. In fact, for 30 years, he was a semiconductor engineer and safety consultant at companies such as National Semiconductor, Applied Materials and Du-All Safety.

The reason for MacLean’s move to teaching was simple. “It was because I really like kids,” he said. Unlike his previous career as an engineer, teaching involves greater interaction with other people, especially students.  “The biggest difference is that I’m working with and for people now,” he said. Over the course of this year, he is looking forward to getting to know the students better and becoming a part of the Gunn community.

Before coming to Gunn, MacLean completed his student teaching at Gunderson High School in San Jose. However, Gunn is his first official teaching job. “I’m very lucky I got an offer from such a good school,” he said. Yet, as a new teacher, he stresses that he is just like his students, unfamiliar with the class and adjusting to the situations that arise. “Everything is new and a question for me,” he said.

Asides from teaching, MacLean holds an eclectic body of outside interests. On his website, students will find a picture of a wood carving of a shell, which he carved and gilded himself. Additionally, he cultivates bonsai and orchids and plays the bagpipes.