Experience Summary
While I was attending BYU-Hawaii I realized I had a real love of teaching, especially young people, so I channeled my love of mathematics and science into a degree in math and education.
Upon graduating from BYU-Hawaii in 1979, I accepted a position at the Church College of Western Samoa as a teacher. I love opening a student’s eyes to the possibilities in mathematics and learning. During my three year tenure at the Church College I received an award for ‘Outstanding Teacher of the Year.’ I also realized that I wanted to help even more young people and that if I went to the United States to teach, I would have greater opportunities to reach more students and for my own children. After arriving in Utah in 1982, I accepted a teaching position at Eisenhower Junior High School where I am still teaching. Those first years of teaching in Utah taught me that I could help many students because of my ethnic background and my own experience struggling to learn English while attending BYU-Hawaii. I found that I could be an example, mentor, and role model for all the students. Many of the students just need someone who encourages them and lets them know that they can do math or science. No student has to fail in any subject if they know someone believes in them.
In addition to teaching at Eisenhower, I have done tutoring throughout my career at the request of and through the recommendations of the parents and former students. I have also been adjunct faculty for both the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College working with student teachers and college students. I received the "Teaching Excellence" award for adjunct faculty at the SLCC in 1999. I get the same enjoyment in watching older students light up as they learn they can do math as I do with the younger kids. They often comment that they never liked math and some say they were afraid of math before taking my class.
Teaching Style
Through my extensive teaching experience I have learned that everyone can do math if they are given the right steps and tools at a pace that works for them. I use lots of examples in my teaching. I have found that so many students don't have a belief in themselves with math and they need to know that their teacher believes they can do it. I go through each concept and make sure my students understand how to do it before moving on to the next concept. I also teach my students that there is more than one way to get to the right answer and I teach the skills that let them find the way that works best for each of them. I love to see the light in their eyes when they finally "get it" for the first time. I have seen so many of my former students do great things with their lives and they have come back and said "thank you for believing in me." That is the reward I get as a teacher.