Experience Inspires!

Interview with Travis, an Alternative-Program Mathematics Teacher

Travis is a recent college graduate (major in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science).  After working at a variety of jobs including one in a dental office, he decided to combine his degree with a love of "working with young people," and pursue teaching.  "Knowing that I love teaching and the love I have for mathematics [made] my decision to teach mathematics an easy one." 

He enrolled in SMAR²T after hearing about the MU alternative certification program at a job fair.  Although Travis started out in a teaching internship, he soon found himself a full-time mathematics teacher replacing a teacher on maternity leave.  "So far the experience has been good, though sometimes a little scary," he says of his new-found responsibility.  "Being put in charge so early has left me learning a lot everyday and made me think about things in ways I had not thought before.  Some of the issues were very new and unexpected, but I have been able to work through them because the teachers and administration at my school are always there to listen and give advice."

1.  Why did you choose a career in teaching?

Because I love working with young people.  I love working with others and have found through several different experiences that I love teaching others.  Knowing that I love teaching and the love I have for mathematics makes my decision to teach mathematics an easy one.

2.  What did you do before deciding to become a teacher?

At first I was a Computer Science major with a Math minor. Then I switched.  I took some time off school and work at various jobs including in a dental office.  It became clear that working in an office would bore me to death.  I knew that I needed to work in an environment where I would be constantly interacting with others in different situations every day.

3.  What do you think of your decision?

So far the experience has been good, though sometimes a little scary.  I took a math position at the end of September for a teacher who decided to not come back after she had her baby.  Being put in charge so early has left me learning a lot everyday and made me think about things in ways I had not thought before.  Some of the issues were very new and unexpected, but I have been able to work through them because the teachers and administration at my school are always there to listen and give advice.

4.  What have you enjoyed the most about the certification program?

Talking and thinking about the many aspects of teaching I had and had not thought about before.  There are so many things that teachers do, it is nice to get to talk about some of them with people going into a similar teaching field as myself.  I have also enjoyed being able to have these discussions with such a diverse group of teachers. Yes, we are all going into math or science education, but the age range and variety of backgrounds really adds to the discussions we have.

5.  What has been the most challenging aspect of the certification process?

Trying to figure out how I am going to meet all the requirements of the portfolio while going to graduate school and teaching my own class during the week days.  There seem to be so many different things that have to be done to get certified. 

November 2003