Experience Summary
When I came to Hawaii from Fiji to attend college, I was very interested in learning more about computers and what they can do. I noticed that most of my American friends could operate a computer fairly well but could not solve simple math problems like Algebra or Trigonometry. I talked to my adviser and found out that my high school math in Fiji could cross credit for all the math I required to earn a BS degree in Information Systems.
I have helped a couple of students while in college study math for the GRE exams to get into graduate school.
Teaching Style
I have a two year elementary teacher certificate from Fiji where I taught school for five years before I got a scholarship to study in Hawaii. I noticed a great difference between American students and Polynesian students. Polynesian students are very passive learners and will never dare ask questions in class. The teacher can do pretty much anything he/she wants to do with little or no major challenges. American students on the other hand are full of life and excitement in the classroom and ask all kinds of questions that they could think of. I have learned that I need to be more resourceful, attentive and specific when teaching in an American setting.
I had a job on campus during my last two years in college fixing computers and training the professors about how to use education software to teach effectively.