Reflecting on Senior II: Math Ed.

By Karlee Fee (May '08 graduate)

It was not long ago when I was sitting in my desk, looking up at my teacher, and paying attention in my high school math class. I cannot believe that now I am on the other side of that picture, and I now I am responsible for teaching roughly eighty students the concepts of geometry and advanced functions. It just amazes me that my journey at East Carolina is almost complete, and soon I will be entering the “real world” as an educator.

I am not nervous. In fact, I feel that I have been prepared in so many ways. Since I am a North Carolina Teaching Fellow at ECU, I have attended countless seminars and participated in a variety of volunteer work to help prepare me. Granted, at the time I might have been begrudgingly going through the motions. But now, as I have reached the near end of my college experience, I can honestly say that the seminars, cultural events, etc. have really helped me become a better teacher.

There is so much more to teaching than learning the material you are going to teach. A teacher is not only an educator, but you play the roles of comforter, counselor, motivator, friend, manager, and so much more. My university classes may have taught me the mathematics I need to know, but being a Teaching Fellow helped me develop into the educator they knew I would become all along. So, thank you Teaching Fellows! And underclassmen, do not take for granted the wonderful opportunities you have been awarded.