I am currently teaching Algebra I and Geometry to 9th - 11th graders. I have loved getting to connect with these students and see them grow in their mathematical, critical thinking, and communication skills. Looking back on my time at Messiah, I appreciate that I had the opportunity to learn about cultivating a healthy learning environment. The words from my textbooks and lectures have come to life as I have seen how developing good rapport with students and setting up consistent routines helps students achieve. Once students feel cared for and comfortable, they are much more open to doing hard work. One student told me, “I typically don’t like math, but I like you Miss Mitchell, so I’m going to learn the things you ask me to learn.”
Since I was a mathematics with teaching certification major at Messiah, I was able to learn from both the mathematics faculty and education faculty, which allowed me to be fully prepared with both content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. I’m thankful that I was able to form relationships with my professors and learn from their personal experiences in teaching. For example, Professor Lehman and I set up a practicum during my senior year where we met weekly to discuss teaching practices, ways to promote excellence in students, and how to make math accessible to all. These personal connections helped me to feel like I had a support system as I prepared for interviews and eventually the first week of school. I feel like I can always reach out to those professors if I have questions or need advice (especially since I’m lucky enough to only work 10 minutes away from Messiah)!