Page 9 - Menlo Magazine: Winter 2018

Rachel Chou
Upper School Math Teacher and Department Chair
Everyone nds joy in learning about something. For me, I nd a lot of joy and beauty in the subject of mathematics. But that isn’t completely what inspires me. The joy I nd in the subject of math just makes my job that much more interesting.
My “why” is the complexity of the process of learning coupled with how rewarding it is to help deepen students’ meaningful intuitions for mathematical ideas and principles. I did not become a math teacher to show students how to solve math problems. I became a math teacher to help them understand why a particular idea or technique works and to help build their intuitions for mathematical principles. I am deeply engaged by both the subject of mathematics and the ways
in which kids interact with the subject. I also very much enjoy the company of teenagers. They are joyful and silly and curious and interesting. Finally, I’m passionate about making seemingly complex mathematical ideas seem very tangible and physical to students.
I think for many (hopefully not most!) teachers, teaching might be just a job, but at Menlo, for almost all of my colleagues, it feels like a calling. My colleagues seem deeply intellectually engaged by their respective academic interests and areas of study, while also being deeply intellectually engaged in the problems of teaching. It’s just inspiring to work alongside people who are so thoughtful about each
of their choices in the classroom. I feel very lucky to work in a professional environment in which I feel constantly and meaningfully stimulated by my colleagues.
Dan Devitt
Upper School History Teacher/ Mock Trial Sponsor
I’m not sure if this was a prescient warning that I would become a teacher, but growing up, I always wanted to be
a police o cer. When my phobia of weapons and danger kicked in, I opted for the profession that I think is sometimes the closest, teaching, which, whatever you think of the comparison, surrounded me growing up: parents, uncle, cousin, etc. My rst real teaching job was at a school called Woodside Learning Center in San Francisco, which turned out to be a nice title for SF Juvenile Hall. This job inspired both my faith in kids and the idea of redemption and was incredibly rewarding on a daily basis. At Menlo, as a history teacher, I now have the chance to work with students who share my joy and passion for learning about America’s political struggles and accomplishments, something that puts our current political climate in context. Teaching politics and history today is challenging my profession in new ways. But it reminds me of my mission: students have to be exposed to a variety of viewpoints so they can decide for themselves their major arguments, using the evidence and analyses they have been exposed to throughout the year. It’s a new challenge but it’s always inspiring to see my students exploring their political journey, deeply engaged with the constitutional and legal issues of the day.
MENLO MAGAZINE
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