"UC Davis generally prepared me for this by providing me with opportunities to practice my own skills of critical thinking, research and communication, as well as learning how to learn."
Graduation Year: 1993
Teaching Credential: 1995
Position: Social Studies Teacher at Natomas Charter School, Performing and Fine Arts Academy
WHAT DO YOU DO AS A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER?
As a high school social studies teacher I teach five classes of 25-30 students, including the following: classroom management, curriculum development, grading, and communicating with students, parents, and colleagues. If I had to philosophically describe teaching, I would have to say it's all about equipping and facilitating others to develop their skills of critical thinking, research, and communication of ideas; while balancing that with being encouragers of young people as they struggle through adolescence. Day to day, teaching is an exciting blur that requires the ability to be "on" for several hours of the day, make quick decisions, and manage people who have a diversity of abilities and motivations.
HOW DID YOUR UC DAVIS EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR THIS WORK?
UC Davis generally prepared me for this by providing me with opportunities to practice my own skills of critical thinking, research and communication, as well as learning how to learn. Specifically, the credential program helped me to practice teaching in the real world while receiving behind the scenes training for how to be an effective teacher.