What are our alumni doing?
Becky Steele
Graduation Year: ‘06
Major(s) and minor(s): math major (ELE teaching emphasis)
Post-grad education: GVSU ’14, MEd in Special Education
Current position: 7th Grade Math Teacher
Employer: Jenison Junior High, Jenison Public Schools
The most helpful aspects of my undergraduate education in mathematics were: Ten years ago, I answered this question by saying the following: The mathematics content courses for elementary teachers (especially Math 322, 323 and 324) taught me to think deeply about activity, lesson and unit design, and to analyze incorrect answers to uncover misconceptions. Assignments and activities where I was required to think both like a teacher and like a student were especially engaging and beneficial.
This is all still very much true.
The further into my career I get, though, the more I value the relationships I built during my time in the math department at GVSU. Staying connected with favorite professors means that I get a solid dose of professional development every time I scroll through my Twitter feed. Maintaining peer relationships with other math education majors means I have colleagues across the state and country with whom I can brainstorm and problem solve and creatively thrive. Those relationships all feed my educator soul, and keep me grounded and positive through all the pendulum swings of being a public school teacher.
The advice I’d offer to current undergraduate students in mathematics: Find ways to get involved in your dream career path as soon as possible. If you are pursuing math education, consider substitute teaching even one day a week in a district where you'd like to work or pursue opportunities with after school or summer programming. Connecting with professionals doing the job that you want to do will give you a tremendous advantage when you graduate, or maybe even before. Employers are always on the look out for ambitious hard workers, and often give preference to people they have gotten to know over more external candidates.
In a typical day in my work: I help seventh graders grow their understanding of number systems, foundational algebra skills, geometry and statistics. I hope I also help foster their growth in the areas of problem solving, work ethic and grit, number sense, communication about mathematical thinking, and confidence.
Other thoughts/comments: I miss GVSU, especially the math department, and cherish any opportunity to reconnect with all of you amazing, mathematical people.
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