Lessons in Mathematics by Devyn

Lessons in Mathematics by Devyn - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Were I to take the place of a teacher, I would chose to teach advanced high school mathematics. My reasoning behind this takes into account my academic strengths and my overall skill in communicating such ideas.
Mathematics, particularly advanced mathematics, happens to be the subject at which I excel. In classes such as Calculus I readily understand the concepts and can thereby explain them to others who do not. I find concepts such as derivatives and integrals both fascinating and readily applicable, even in mundane circumstances such as finding the volume or mass of a vase or intriguing ones such as tracking violators of speed laws.[1] Additionally, these subjects are straightforward for me to put into words and thereby quickly and easily explained.
Not only am I strong in mathematics, but I have both experience and some skill already in teaching and tutoring the subject. I have been capable of helping my peers and others younger than myself to understand the subject in a timely fashion. While doing this, I have been able to provide guidance on homework without ever giving them the answer and ensuring they understand both the process and why it works. In being able to understand how mathematical calculations work, I am then able to explain as much to other people in readily comprehensible terminology. This experience then gives me even deeper understanding, constantly improving my methods, explanations, and technique.
Other than the fact that math comes relatively easily to me and I already have experiences in teaching and tutoring in this area, I just find math entertaining in any conditions. I often find myself making mental mathematical calculations and contemplating new ways to explain certain questions and concepts. (Such as forming trigonometric identities with the hands of a clock) Because of this, I would find little more enjoyable than having the opportunity to teach these subjects before a class and to help them continue on their quests for knowledge. Sharing such knowledge with students almost daily and watching them learn and understand would be both recreational and a privilege in my opinion.
Mathematics, particularly advanced mathematics, is my strongest and most enjoyable subject, and one with which I have experience teaching and tutoring. For me, the concepts seem to be relatively straightforward and thus easily explicable in a timely fashion. Because of this, were I to take the position of an instructor, I would choose to teach high school advanced mathematics.

[1]See Larson Edwards “Calculus of a Single Variable” 10th edition chapters 3.2, 7.1 and 7.2