I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl, and as fortunate and easy as that may sound, the journey to get to the conclusion of pursuing a math education major has not been easy. I’ve been teaching dance since I was nine years old as a teachers assistant working with students from ages three to five. I quickly fell in love with the idea of sharing my knowledge with the youth, the future, and the undeniable satisfaction when they achieve something new because of your teachings. I conducted my first dance class as the primary teacher at fourteen years old. Since then, I have gone to teach at more than ten different dance studios, at dance competitions as a guest teacher, a choreography coach, and have received the teacher of the year award at the Universal Ballet Competition. I’ve always had a passion for math and was on the math team for several years during my middle school years and have always excelled in my math classes. Furthermore, my mother was a math teacher in Japan, and has always been my role model and someone I looked up to. Specifically, I would love to be able to teach High school math where I could possibly be more involved in the school by potentially helping with the Orchises Dance team, the Poms team, the school musical, or even the talent shows. I would also like working within the school districts for stability as well. Teaching dance may be rewarding, however it does not provide insurance, maternity leave, or any breaks in general. I would love to have a job I can depend and rely on for my future but also my future family as well. I am an advocate for homework over tests. Sticking to the curriculum is extremely important so your students stay on track with the other students who may be learning the same material in other classes. However, I do believe that understanding and grasping the material through homework, in-class activities, and participation is extremely important. Some students, my self included, are not good test takers. Although as teachers we should strive to make a student’s ability to take tests efficiently a priority to prepare them for college, AP testing, and for other standardized tests, however, we should also prioritize the students understanding of the material rather than memorizing material for a test. I intend to teach my class where if homework is done efficiently, correctly, and on time, the student should be rewarded. I intend to keep an encouraging, uplifting, and positive environment where, as a class, we help each other understand the material and to make learning Math a process where students are enticed and focused, but eager to learn more. In conclusion, I believe that the nature of teaching and learning is to make an impact on the class as a whole and the students as individuals with the knowledge a teacher should provide but also the support and care that the student needs. I do believe that I have a kind, and compassionate heart and I want to impact people in a positive way as my contribution to the community. I hope to continue my studies, increase my knowledge, and to always keep an open mind in hopes to be the best Math teacher I can be for my future students.

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl, and as fortunate and easy as that may sound, the journey to get to the conclusion of pursuing a math education major has not been easy. I’ve been teaching dance since I was nine years old as a teachers assistant working with students from ages three to five. I quickly fell in love with the idea of sharing my knowledge with the youth, the future, and the undeniable satisfaction when they achieve something new because of your teachings. I conducted my first dance class as the primary teacher at fourteen years old. Since then, I have gone to teach at more than ten different dance studios, at dance competitions as a guest teacher, a choreography coach, and have received the teacher of the year award at the Universal Ballet Competition. This may all sound great, and may strike the question, “Then, why teach Math?” Although teaching dance has been very rewarding, at nineteen years old, I was in a bad dancing accident which resulted to a horrible back injury. Since then, dancing for a long period of time has been difficult and sometimes even painful. I don’t want to give up in my passion for teaching, however, if I continue down this path of rigorous dance teaching, that I will further my continuous injury and will cause long-term pain. I’ve always had a passion for math and was on the math team for several years during my middle school years and have always excelled in my math classes. Furthermore, my mother was a math teacher in Japan, and has always been my role model and someone I looked up to. Specifically, I would love to be able to teach High school math where I could possibly be more involved in the school by potentially helping with the Orchises Dance team, the Poms team, the school musical, or even the talent shows. I would also like working within the school districts for stability as well. Teaching dance may be rewarding, however it does not provide insurance, maternity leave, or any breaks in general. I would love to have a job I can depend and rely on for my future but also my future family as well. I still have a lot to learn about the specific disciplines of Mathematics. However, my interest at the moment is to teach Algebra, Pre-Calculus, or Quantitate Literacy through a nurturing, motivational, and positive environment. I am an advocate for homework over tests. Sticking to the curriculum is extremely important so your students stay on track with the other students who may be learning the same material in other classes. However, I do believe that understanding and grasping the material through homework, in-class activities, and participation is extremely important. Some students, my self included, are not good test takers. Although as teachers we should strive to make a student’s ability to take tests efficiently a priority to prepare them for college, AP testing, and for other standardized tests, however, we should also prioritize the students understanding of the material rather than memorizing material for a test. I intend to teach my class where if homework is done efficiently, correctly, and on time, the student will be rewarded in order to accomplish two factors: First, to teach the students, self-discipline and to teach the hard, tedious work in their schoolwork and in life in general will result to better results. Second, to help students who may not be the best test takers to not be punished rather given an opportunity to make up for that fact with their homework and participation points. I intend to keep an encouraging, uplifting, and positive environment where, as a class, we help each other understand the material and to make learning Math a process where students are enticed and focused, but eager to learn more. In conclusion, I believe that the nature of teaching and learning is to make an impact on the class as a whole and the students as individuals with the knowledge a teacher should provide but also the support and care that the student needs. The hardest thing I had to learn as a dance teacher, was the balance between teacher and ally. What I’ve learned is that separate from the material being taught whether that is dance, math, English, culinary, basketball, etc, students rely on their teachers for support during their most vulnerable moments, which is when they are learning something new. Making mistakes, being lost in the material, confusion, this can cause the student to become stressed and vulnerable, on top of any situations outside of the classroom that are adding to the stress. What I want to continue is to be a listening ear, an ally, and a comforting supporter for all of my students to not only help them excel in their education but to also help shape them as people. I do believe that I have a kind, and compassionate heart and I want to impact people in a positive way as my contribution to the community. I hope to continue my studies, increase my knowledge, and to always keep an open mind in hopes to be the best Math teacher I can be for my future students.