I have always loved teaching and helping people learn. Since elementary school, I helped younger friends with schoolwork when they were struggling. In high school, I tutored other kids in marching band to help them pass their classes. I started college in 2018, and by my second semester I realized I wanted to work with kids, and specifically teach math. Since joining the UTeach program and having more experiences with students, especially at the middle grade level, my passion for teaching has only grown. 

        Especially in STEM classes, the humanity of students and the subject is often left out. School, including math class, should be a safe space for kids to learn, share, and grow as learners but also as people. As a transgender disabled person, I never saw teachers like me, and I often felt unsafe or unsupported at school. I want my classroom to be a safe space for students to express themselves respectfully, and to be respectful of each other as learners and as people.

        Another thing I want to impart on students is why learning math is important. As a simple answer, being able to do the basic operations helps with budgeting, cooking, and other everyday activities. Particularly at the middle school level, it’s so important for students to gain knowledge and understanding in foundational math so that they can be successful rather than miserable and lost in high school math. I’ll admit that from what I can tell, most people will use hardly any math past a sixth grade level outside of school. But I also believe that mathematical thinking and problem solving can be applied to any challenge. I strongly believe that making it through challenges and gaining a deeper understanding of math helps students feel more confident not only in math, but in their view of themselves.

        With math in particular, many people have bad experiences and struggle with math in middle school and then for the rest of their lives, they believe they are just not a “math person” and can’t do it. Since math is a crucial part of so many other fields, feeling discouraged from math can spread into kids feeling like they just aren’t good at school, or worse, that they aren’t “smart.” By helping students work through challenging problems and concepts, they can gain not only a deeper understanding of the material but hopefully belief in more of a growth mindset and confidence in their ability to overcome challenges.