Spotlights 2010

Like other students, I didn’t come into UCI knowing what I wanted to do, let alone that I wanted to major in math or pursue teaching as a career. My first year flew by, with my having no idea what path I was taking. I knew I loved math, but I never thought anything of it.

At the beginning of my second year, I started taking more math classes and found that I truly had a passion for math. I have always loved kids, so teaching seemed like a no brainer. My friends and family had always told me that I had the patience and personality to become a teacher, but I never really took them seriously. It was not until Spring Quarter of last year that I took my first Cal Teach class, PS 5, which placed me in an elementary school classroom where I got to do fieldwork. After working in this classroom for the first time, I immediately knew that I had made the right decision to pursue teaching.

I was so excited that I had finally found my niche and was more passionate about teaching than anything else before in my life. Every time I went to my school site, I looked forward to it; it was always the best part of my day and going to my new school site still is. I immersed myself into teaching and joined the Cal Teach program, which gives me the opportunity to graduate with my math degree and my secondary teaching credential. I saw this as an amazing opportunity, especially being one of the first possible graduates of this program. This quarter, I am in one brand new class, Education 55: Knowing and Learning in Math and Science, and am enjoying it tremendously.

While discovering my passion for teaching, I decided that I wanted to be more involved on campus, and through this desire I found the Cal Teach Club and some amazing people, ones that I now call some of my best friends. I have only been involved with the club for a couple of months and am the Secretary for the 2010-2011 academic year. I am the perfect example of how you can get involved on campus and be in a leadership position in a short amount of time. All it takes is taking that first leap and putting in the effort. Next year, I plan to run for president and will attempt to take the club to even bigger heights than we have thus far this year.

Now a third year, I am currently living in the Careers in Teaching House in Arroyo Vista and having the time of my life. It has been such a great experience living in a house with people that have the same interest in teaching that I do. I am planning on applying to be the Housing Assistant of this house next year. I know it will only further deepen my passion for education and teaching.

Now, education is my whole life. If it wasn’t for our education, none of us would be where we are in our lives, striving to become better educators for our future students. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the teachers who inspired us to be better students and better people. I hope that as a new generation of teachers, we can continue to do that for our students.

At this time last year, I never could have pictured myself where I am today: a math major with a concentration on education, working towards a secondary teaching credential through the Cal Teach Science and Math Program, and Secretary of the Cal Teach Club. The past year has been a whirlwind of new experiences and decision-making and I have loved every second of it. I am thankful that I was able to find my passion, and in doing so, I found myself.