Noyce Scholar Profile
Kathleen Myung
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Bachelors in Mathematics/ Masters in Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: High School
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Claremont Graduate University
Current academic or teaching status:
1 year of teaching experience
School and school district:
Los Altos High School/ Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
Background:
I am a Korean American who came to United States when I was in Junior High School.
Why do you want to teach:
I love the fact that I am able to pass my knowledge to another being. I believe teaching is a special calling. One needs to be passionate about one’s subject and love to teach. I love math and love the fact that I can teach others my favorite subject. After parents, I believe teachers are the most influential person in kids’ lives because they spend half of their day at school. I love the fact that teachers can change kids’ lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I had many memorable teaching experiences but I had a student that had never received a grade better than a C in a math class before. He was a senior and Algebra 2 was the last math class that he ever wanted to take. At the end of the year, he ended up getting a B. At my school, seniors select one person that influenced or inspired them the most in their lives. He selected me. I had the honor of walking with him at his graduation. I was very proud of him and I cannot wait to see where he will be in the future. In addition, I love working with students that struggle with math and see them being more comfortable or even to like math a little bit.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
As a Math for America Los Angeles Fellow, the NOYCE program has meant so much to me. I have met a group of great teachers who share the same passion and goal. We all love to teach math to students who are in need. We have witnessed many students changing perspective in mathematics. In addition, I was able to attend various professional developments with the fellows and shared our ideas and tips on how to become a better teacher. For example, the California Math Council conference that I have attended last year had given me so many ideas for projects and hands-on activities. When I actually used those ideas, my students were engaged and excited about math. Because our school has limited funds, I did not have enough access to classroom materials. The fellowship program has helped me with the classroom materials. It has supported me to upgrade my teaching environment. As a Math for America Los Angeles Fellow, I appreciate NOYCE program more and I am excited to see what is to come in the future.
