I am a graduate of Marquette University located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During my time at Marquette, I was an economics student in College of Arts and Sciences. Not only did I graduate with a GPA of 3.165, I worked full-time to pay my way through my undergraduate career. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2008. During my senior year of college, I was a trip leader on a service trip to New Orleans with the purpose of helping the forgotten parts of the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. During my work in the Lower Ninth Ward, I became became inspired to pursue a career that would allow me to help others. At this time, I applied for Teach For America, a prestigious and competitive teaching program because I come from a family of teachers and I wished to pursue a career in education as well.
I was accepted to the program, and upon graduating, I moved to Los Angeles to teach secondary math in Los Angeles. I was certified through the California State University system and I completed two years of teaching high school mathematics in an urban charter school. Here I taught various courses including algebra 1, algebra 2, math support for algebra 1 and algebra 2, and advanced algebra 1 for honors students. I learned a great deal about teaching methods and the importance of teaching material in a variety of ways to reach all types of learners. I spent a great deal of my time tutoring individuals after school who were struggling in the subjects that were taught in class. I believe in the logical breakdown of information and consistently pushed my students to think at an analytical level, rather than a procedural one, to help develop a deeper understanding of the mathematics. As a teacher in an urban school district, I had students ranging from a second grade math level to being at grade level all in one classroom. It was imperative for me to ensure that all of my students walked away from my class advancing in grade level and with a deeper appreciation for mathematics and the sciences.
At the close of my second year as teacher, I was unfortunately laid off due to budget cuts and my school was closed down as a cost-saving measure. I decided at this time that I wanted to pursue medicine for a variety of reasons. I have always been invested in the math and sciences, and I felt as though I could make a much greater impact by pursuing something that I loved to learn about. Thus, I moved to Boston and began a post-baccalaureate program at Harvard University Extension School. Here I completed coursework in biology, calculus II, chemistry, physics, cell biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and pathophysiology. In my undergrad I also completed courses in neuroscience and physiology. At this time I am studying for the MCAT and will be applying to medical school in June of 2013. I also work full time in a research position at the Massachusetts General Hospital and am looking to help tutor students in the area part-time who may be struggling with math or science.
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