Quentin Painter, a new ISB math teacher, has passions for golf, gaming, the gym, and … poetry? Outside of the classroom, you may find Mr. Painter on the golf course, though he says he’s not a particularly good player. He finds it to be a good way to relax, let off steam, and engage in healthy competition. Physical fitness seems to be a big motivator in Mr. Painter’s life, and he tries to go to the gym as much as possible.
He also has a love for gaming. Among other games, he is very much into the Assassin’s Creed franchise, especially exploration of the game and all the side quests it offers. While Mr. Painter is known as a math teacher here at ISB, he explored a few writing courses in college and likes to read in his spare time. He hopes to combine his knowledge in these vastly different fields and is exploring the possibility of becoming a published author.
“This is still new to me, but I am thinking of writing some children’s books,” he says. “I’m trying to figure out how to leverage AI to help me with that because I am not necessarily the most experienced writer.” He goes on to explain the overarching theme of these books, with numbers as the main characters and a storyline geared towards younger, maybe Kindergarten-aged kids. “It will be about mathematics that will maybe create some positive relationships and ideas around mathematics while also encouraging kids to read.”
The Importance of Mental Health
Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body, a sentiment High School Attendance Secretary Khun Tukta Kaewkinda would agree with. She is not just a friendly face who helps students when they walk in late or need a pass to leave. She is also passionate about nourishing mental health practices, which she accomplishes through her hobbies outside the job we all know and love her for. Going to the gym and listening to music are great ways to reset from the day. Nearly everyday, after school and on the weekends, you can find her working out.
“It’s important for your mind and health and you feel better afterwards,” she says. “Exercise helps with working better and more efficiently.” Outside the gym she loves to stay at home and just relax when she isn’t working. At home, Khun Tukta loves to watch TV — “I don’t really have any favorites, I like to watch everything actually” — especially shows that encourage mental clarity and self improvement.
Mr. A is a Film and Board Game Geek
Mr. Peter Assimakopoulos, ISB’s CAS and Service Learning Coordinator, has been involved in Bangkok Community Theater, putting on plays and performing in front of audiences. This love for performing arts extends beyond the theater and into film. He is an avid movie watcher and loves to analyze films. He enjoys the experience of going to the theater and especially talking about whatever movie he has just watched.
“The one that still resonates with me, it was years ago, was Everything Everywhere all at Once,” he says. “I just thought it was such a brilliant film, and the way it was put together, like their AV team working through YouTube tutorials to make the movie.” Mr. A. is also a self-proclaimed board game geek. Although perhaps the weakest player among the people he chooses to play with, he still relishes these games, sometimes stretching over many hours.
Check Out Mr. McMillan on Spotify
Mr. Triston McMillan writes and records music with his wife Justyna McMillan (ISB’s HS Dean of Academics), every year finishing one or two songs. He plays guitar and she plays violin, and their kids are also musical, playing various instruments. Some of their songs — their single “Forget Me Not,” among others — are even published on Spotify.
“I mostly write country or folk music right now, but I’m starting to branch into rock music, mostly just the typical songs about love and nostalgia and those genres,” he says. Mr. A., who was in the room when PantherNation was interviewing Mr. McMillan, characterizes him as “a great songwriter.” He and his wife also have a passion for cooking, pushing themselves to experiment with really complicated recipes and engaging in elaborate cooking events every Sunday. “We love this guy called [Yotam] Ottolenghi,” he says. “He’s an Israeli chef. He just has the most amazing food that combines Jewish and Palestinian and all these Arabic recipes from the Middle East. It’s this really cool cross cultural food.”
