A Professor's Capability to Inspire by Ryan

A Professor's Capability to Inspire by Ryan - August 2017 Scholarship Essay

While in high school, I was never any good when it came to mathematics. In an environment where this was subject found easy by most other students, my confidence for something which I fondly enjoyed was diminishing and my overall interest was beginning to fade.
Entering college, I didn’t have high hopes for doing well and didn’t expect things to change given how my hard work and positive attitude were rewarded with a “C” back in high school. However, I soon found that I had the highest grade in all my mathematics courses and that this was due to one teacher who truly stood out and was responsible for making an impact on my ability to understand my Calculus 1 and 2 courses. Mr Huber was a kind-hearted professor who had the best intention for his students. He always attempted to encourage everyone in his classes to overcome any obstacles blocking their path to success.
Through various group assignments where several of the students doing well in class were paired with those struggling, Mr Huber would have “students teach students,” an activity which would ultimately ensure that we understood the material to the same capacity as our own professor. By doing so, Mr Huber made his students feel confident and ready to take on any problem directed their way, mathematical or otherwise.
Likewise, there were many instances where myself or other students didn’t understand a certain derivation or approach for solving a problem. Nevertheless, Professor Huber provided alternative methods which would assist any students’ needs and allow that we comprehend what it is we are learning logically as opposed to simply going through the motions or plugging numbers into the equations and solving without solidifying our expertise in a certain section. His persistence and never give up attitude influenced me to strive further and has made myself optimistic to pursue a career in engineering, a career which is heavily reliant on math courses. Likewise, my interest in mathematics grew significantly due to Professor Huber’s inspiration and encouraging attitude to tutor a subject which he knew I admire.
As a job I’ve been pursuing during my high school and collegiate years, tutoring struggling students particularly in math provides myself satisfaction as I view my clients improvement throughout our lessons and their schoolwork. Similar to Professor Huber who has inspired me to emphasize in mathematics, what I most enjoy about tutoring is viewing my students aha moments; these instances when I see the content immediately click make what I do worthwhile. The life lessons and experience I’ve gained through tutoring for the past five years is what I wish to utilize as an engineer.
After retiring from my career as a Biomedical Engineer, I plan on becoming a math professor at my current institution mainly because of my interest to teach as well as Professor Huber’s impact on myself and other students. The words of encouragement he provides everyday when we walk in and out of his class, his ability to teach a concept in various ways to make sure everyone understands the material, and his friendly attitude which makes students feel comfortable talking to him, is something that I wish to posses because I know how a great professor can influence his students and play a critical role in their lives especially at a time when students are impressionable, require positivity and words of encouragement, and are unaware with what their future holds. If not for Professor Huber, I would not feel confident when it came mathematics nor would I have an interest to emphasize my tutoring in such a subject, pursue a career in engineering, as well as one day teach in the shoes of my professor whom I look up as my role model.