MS. VARADA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MY FAMILY

I could not have even fathomed making it through this journey without the support of my mother, my cousins, and my best friends. They were there for me through the highs and the lows, every single step of the way, just as they always have been and will be. They were the ones that I could express my excitement with over a particularly great lesson plan, or to whom I could cry and depend on when I felt overwhelmed or needed motivation. They inspired me in ways that nobody else could, when nobody else could, and I cannot trade that for anything.

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Specifically, I would like to thank a very special friend of mine, Victoria Mercouris. I met Victoria very early in my WPI career, just as she was preparing to embark on this exact journey herself, albeit teaching physics during the latter half of the year at Worcester Tech, rather than math during the former half. I got the see Victoria through her highs and her lows just as my family and my friends saw me, and she has been an endless source of inspiration and encouragement through every step of the way. Victoria called me on the phone all the way from New Orleans, Louisiana during Week 14 of my practicum to not only congratulate and to check in on my progress, but to ask my opinions on some programs and ideas that she is working with at her current high school teaching job and for my input on how she can optimize her practice for her computer science and makers space classes. I see her as an equal and as a close friend, yet I will always look up to her, and I hope that she realizes just how much her guidance and her humor has meant to me since Day 1, August of 2017, until now.

MY ADVISORS

These extraordinary women have seen so much more of me than they signed up for, yet they continued to support me and to share feedback when I needed encouragement or critical action. Each advisor aided me in different ways, all of which were so crucial for me to complete this practicum with my head on straight and with my focus in the right place.

Jackie, my program director, was ever punctual and put up with a lot when I was going through some particularly rough patches. She continuously gave me seasoned, well-earned praise and criticism, all of which I took to heart during my future (even during the following period!) lessons. She gave me patience during my most strenuous, embarrassing trip-ups, including the process of submitting this portfolio.

Katie was very helpful to supporting my well-being and with giving me ideas to continue with my culturally responsive teaching, even taking it to the next level as a career suggestion. She was always a smiling face that I could trust whole-heartedly ... after all, she was the very first person whom I met during my WPI pre-acceptance orientation and she convinced me to come to the school for the TPP!

Finally, Shari has been a beacon of light and assurance throughout this entire process. She feels like a second mother to me. Shari stepped in when times were extremely difficult, for issues ranging from a complete overturn of my semester schedule and sanity, to advice on days when I completely overslept and did not know my next move. This program simply runs on these women, as did I as a "newbie" teacher.

MY MENTOR TEACHERS

The teachers at Worcester Tech are some of the most amazing, understanding individuals that I've met in my academic career, and their advice felt invaluable to me throughout my journey. I was never alone in the classroom, thanks not only to our wonderful Teaching Assistants, Miss Bigelow, Mrs. McKnight, and Mrs. Bonofilio, who always have so much to offer as remarkable, accomplished women who give their all to their students each day, but thanks to two other teachers who impacted my practicum in unexplainable ways. 

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I cannot even begin to thank Mr. Fitzpatrick. He gave me unparalleled (math pun) expertise, not just on my lesson plans, but on my personal struggles and triumphs throughout my time as his co-teacher. He comforted and reassured me on days when I arrived tardy for my classes or did not show up for them at all, focusing instead on addressing the reasons that I'd missed these classes rather than on the plain fact that I was not available for the students during those times. I learned so much from him, even from the fact that he seemed to learn things from me. I always trusted his opinion and bounced ideas off of him every single day, whether academic or even if I just had a rant that I needed advice on. His students respect him so much, and I don't even need to express how much I do.

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I also dearly appreciate Ms. Marini. She and I forged a bond early in the semester, as it was also her first year teaching in Worcester. She is so intelligent and she has a beautiful sense of humor, and I feel very comfortable around her. She even let me observe her class and ask questions, taking both my teaching and my learning seriously, for which I respect her all the greater.

MY STUDENTS

My kids made such an impact on my life, even in the sixteen short weeks that I'd worked with them. I missed their humor when I was not with them, and I enjoyed working with every single one of their rather unique questions, even if they ran my patience a bit thin. Their drive, spirit, and dedication to their shops opened my eyes in ways that I do not even yet realize, and I gained a whole new perspective on post-high school college and career prospects through their inspiration. I will miss my students so much! Make your marks on the world!