SO42-, sulfate.
Among the 29 polyatomic ions we had to memorize, sulfate stands out as one of the special ones. Its chemical formula bears a striking resemblance to S104, the classroom of Ms. Kuso. Her analogy, likening sulfate to ‘soul fate,’ provides a quick way to memorize the ion, and solidifies her class as a space for a lasting destiny.
On the first day of my sophomore year, I was uncertain if S104 was the right classroom for Chemistry Honors, until Ms. Kuso greeted me with a smile so apparent, it was clear even behind a mask. Having Chemistry Honors as the dreaded period 1 is never easy, but Ms. Kuso gives a new sense of comfort.
The meticulously decorated classroom, scented with various candles each day, resembles Ms. Kuso’s dedication to creating a warm and inviting learning environment for her students. Her passion extends to every part of the classroom, with inspirational quotes adorning the walls to create an environment brimming with motivation. With her diverse array of gifts to students, from self-made lemon tea to aromatic lavenders from her garden, she ensures her classroom is a safe place for students to feel wanted.
She is open-minded and enthusiastic about her subject. Rather than presenting the mundane, text-heavy chemistry equations, Ms. Kuso personalizes her notes by integrating visual elements related to the concepts, using a wide variety of colors to simplify the complicated topics. Acknowledging that chemistry isn’t limited to the periodic table or memorizing equations, Ms. Kuso draws real-life connections between science and our everyday lives: her analogy between a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and stoichiometry tells the importance of the often concealed chemical equations; her emphasis on the importance of rock salt in ice-cream creation easily clarifies the concept of lowering the freezing point.
Other than her consistent willingness to ease any confusion in class or during lunch, Ms. Kuso’s efforts to help her students extend far beyond her classroom; she makes her lecture screencast for almost every lesson for those who struggle to keep up with the class pace and devotes extra time to learn her students’ needs. I will always remember the time when Ms. Kuso encouraged me to keep going, even when Chemistry felt so difficult. She sat with me to help create an after-school schedule to effectively allocate my time. She told me that, just like every student, I have infinite potential.
Chemistry Honors is so worth it because of Ms. Kuso, I thought (and think!).
During the 2022-2023 school year, she brought Wellness Week activities into classroom, providing time for self-check-ins and meditation. That school day was tough for me, but her small act of kindness completely turned it around. Even after each of these activities, she would always take time to gather our feedback to improve the activity for next time.
Despite the amount of work she handles daily, Ms. Kuso puts her students before herself. Her door is always open to help her current and previous students—not only with academics but with their personal struggles as well. She wields the power to connect with each and everyone, and was able to do so with effortless humor and approachability.
I always feel comfortable sharing with Ms. Kuso my silly aspiring egos, such as one day winning a Pulitzer Prize and self-nominating myself as a “Distinguished Chemistry Scholar.” And she’s always supportive of me.
Regardless of grades and opinions on the subject of chemistry itself, everyone has something meaningful to take away from Ms. Kuso’s class. Her daily group warm-ups foster meaningful bonds among her students, pushing us out of our comfort zones and teaching us to communicate comfortably with strangers. By the end of the year, we all knew one another, having grown together in an environment where we struggled, interacted, and found fulfillment through learning.
Though Ms. Kuso’s class taught me a lot about chemistry, it, more importantly, taught me about learning to learn. From the very beginning of the school year till the end, she emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. Things may not always turn out as expected, but we can always stay positive—just like a cation.
Since the first time I met Ms. Kuso, it has been a tremendous privilege to learn science, both Chemistry Honors and AP Environmental Science, and grow as a person in S104. Thank you, Ms. Kuso. I’m so grateful to have been, and to be, one of your students.
Updated November 2024
