My name is Marian and I started tutoring as a way to share my enthusiasm of math, technology and cultural diversity. Educating youth is important to me because while they are still young today, they will be the leaders and engineers of tomorrow. Our future is in their hands!
I had a very non-traditional upbringing for a girl. My father, who had won many math awards throughout high school, taught me 6th grade algebra when I was in 1st grade. It was such an advantage to go into school and wiz through all my assignments. My math teachers were my favorite and it sparked a passion that led me to get my bachelors (BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2003) and masters in mathematics (MS, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2006).
I discovered my own passion for computers with the purchase of our first family computer in 1993. I read the Win 3.1 and DOS manual from front to back cover and dialed into local Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). By age fifteen, I was hired to work as a System Operator (SysOp) at the local BBS, Realm of Mirage. I took part in a moment of technological history and broke many female stereotypes along the way. Following high school graduation, I was one of the 1:3 female ratio at RPI’s freshman class dual majoring in computer science. I am excited to see how women are becoming more involved in technology and engineering and hope to be a part of inspiring women to go in this direction.
Culturally, I come from a mixed background, half mestiza Filipina, part Sicilian and Czechoslovakian. Growing up, being mistaken for anything from Indian to Lebanese, culture has naturally interested me. The study of ethno-mathematics shows us how connected our cultures really are. It is important to me that youth are exposed to this diversity. Knowing the contributions of their own culture and others in the sciences garners a unique understanding and respect within the classroom.
Now that you know about me, I look forward to meeting my new students and all about what inspires them. Contact me if you have any questions!
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