Experience Inspires!

Interview with Greg, a Pre-Service Mathematics Teacher

Greg worked thirty years in computer research, support, and security at a university before taking the plunge into teaching mathematics teaching.  Though hesitant at the thought of switching careers, Greg found in MU’s SMAR²T program a "university program to fit my current situation and which hastened achievement of my goals."

"Teacher education has given me more than technique.  Teaching has given me back my 'ahha's!'"

"The university program fit my current situation, added new skills, and hastened achievement of my goals.  College staff connected me with peers, internships, mentors, and continuing support."

"Such personal preparation, expert support, and perseverance help me through those days when students complain, 'I don't get it.'  These bring those days when whole groups of students exclaim, 'Ahhhha!'  They have connected to some universal truth!  As a teacher, I sometimes hear 'eureka' from myself, when I reach a student, when I have passed the torch successfully. Why do I teach?  Well, I aim to serve.  But I also aim to enjoy the occasional, 'Ahha!'"

November 2003

             Interview with Greg,  after a Year in the classroom

"As I expected, teaching is more challenging than my previous work. My greatest challenge is uncovering and nurturing any spark of intrinsic interest the student might have in the subject matter. Also, planning to address requirements and individual needs demands expert care. Dealing with students in the classroom presents many decisions per minute. Grading, conferring with parents, and other activities take all the time you can give them. The students were stimulating. I met earnest ones, con artists, social butterflies, plodders, naïve kids, scarred kids, independents, clingers, and many more. I even met some who entertained interest in mathematics!"

May 2004