DID YOU KNOW?
Tacoma’s story spans more than two centuries from the time Captain George Vancouver anchored off Tacoma’s north shore in 1792.
In 1870, Tacoma’s natural deep-water port became an attraction that the Northern Pacific Railroad couldn’t pass up, when it made Tacoma a stop on its transcontinental line.
Old Tacoma and New Tacoma merged in 1884 and incorporated as Tacoma. By 1890, the population reached 36,000 people.
Tacoma is home to the Port of Tacoma, the seventh-largest container port in the United States, and it is within 20 miles of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and 36 miles of the city of Seattle.
Gil LeFrancois,
Upper School Math, Math Dept Chair, Chess Club
Gil LeFrancois teaches geometry, calculus and advanced math topics in the Upper School. “I enjoy helping students develop the ability to examine problems from multiple perspectives,” says LeFrancois. “This increases the likelihood that they will experience those great ‘ah-ha’ moments where they recognize an insight that connects different concepts, allowing them to solve challenging problems.”
LeFrancois graduated from the University of Washington. He joined the Charles Wright faculty in 1983 and serves as chair of the math department. In addition to teaching, he has coached soccer for 20 years, coached track and chess teams, advised the juggling club, and led Winterim groups.
“A few years ago on a trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a Winterim rock climbing course, we arrived in Southern California to heavy rain and cold temperatures,” recalls LeFrancois. “We set up camp just before the temperature dropped. We had snow for the next two days and weren’t able to climb. Despite their disappointment, the students did a wonderful job of working with their teachers to make the most of our time in the high desert. Thankfully, the precipitation stopped and the weather warmed up so that we could climb for the next four days.”
LeFrancois was born in Germany. He enjoys soccer, chess, the game of go, reading, long distance hiking, running, cycling, climbing, juggling and studying astronomy. He occasionally volunteers at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen.
Visit his home page
LeFrancois graduated from the University of Washington. He joined the Charles Wright faculty in 1983 and serves as chair of the math department. In addition to teaching, he has coached soccer for 20 years, coached track and chess teams, advised the juggling club, and led Winterim groups.
“A few years ago on a trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a Winterim rock climbing course, we arrived in Southern California to heavy rain and cold temperatures,” recalls LeFrancois. “We set up camp just before the temperature dropped. We had snow for the next two days and weren’t able to climb. Despite their disappointment, the students did a wonderful job of working with their teachers to make the most of our time in the high desert. Thankfully, the precipitation stopped and the weather warmed up so that we could climb for the next four days.”
LeFrancois was born in Germany. He enjoys soccer, chess, the game of go, reading, long distance hiking, running, cycling, climbing, juggling and studying astronomy. He occasionally volunteers at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen.
Visit his home page
