Ashlyn Bergethon, Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow II at Cox High School

I want to be THAT teacher - the one students remember, even long into adulthood. What

makes an impactful teacher, one whose influence carries on? A great teacher is one that forms

relationships with their students. Their door is always open and they can often be found cheering

students on at games or in the theater. They embrace their school by leading the way in SCA,

dancing the night away at Prom, packing lunches for the less fortunate, or decorating hallways

for Homecoming. Not only do they know how to make activities fun, they also know how to

engage students in learning. Planning for different learning styles, being open to questions,

giving extra help when needed, and having clear expectations make for a supportive classroom

atmosphere. Creating engaging lesson plans causes students to want to learn and helps them

retain new information. Adapting lessons as technology expands keeps learning interactive and

stimulating. These are the things that make a memorable teacher!

So why do I want to be a high school math teacher? Why not an engineer or an architect?

There are a multitude of “math” careers, but for me there is just one. My love for math began in

a Montessori elementary school, as I added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided golden chain

beads. Whenever someone asked my favorite subject, my answer was a resounding, “Math!”

This love for math is what I hope to instill in my future students. Too many students, especially

females, shy away from upper level math classes once they get to choose their classes. As a math

teacher, it is important to inspire students of both genders to reach for their full potential in math

and STEM related fields. Otherwise, a lot of doors will close for them when they consider their

career prospects. I want them to understand the power of mathematical concepts and how they

can be applied across various career fields. There is so much to comprehend about the world

through the order and predictability of math.

Ashlyn Bergethon, Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow II at Cox High School

My first experience teaching came in sixth grade when I asked my science teacher, Mr.

M., if I could teach class one day. He fully supported me when he saw my enthusiasm, and he

gave me a topic to teach - sound and light waves. Without even being taught how to lesson plan,

my natural instinct was to engage the class in an activity - think ropes and slinkies as waves!

This experience sparked a desire in me to teach using a hands-on approach. As I entered high

school, I found that I loved helping my friends in math when they “just didn’t get it.” That led to

tutoring jobs, and eventually Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTFT) where I became even

more passionate about teaching. I love to explain ideas and see the “light bulb” go off when

someone finally understands a concept that has been a struggle for them. My classroom will be

designed to spark enthusiasm, curiosity, and interactivity (and I have the Pinterest boards to

show it!).

One day soon, I will be the teacher standing in the hallway, a hot mug of coffee in my

hand, greeting students with a smile, welcoming them into my classroom. My class will be the

one students don’t want to miss. When they want to push snooze one more time, they will think,

“ I don’t want to miss Ms. B’s class!” and will roll out of bed with anticipation for what is

planned next. I want to be the teacher that turns negatives into positives, both mathematically

and in real life. Two negatives do not make a positive, unless it’s math class!

While I hope that my students love math as much as I do, and remember all they are taught, my

even greater desire is to come alongside them as they navigate the tricky adolescent years. A

teacher that takes an interest in their students, not just academically but in their development as a

whole person, is one that makes the most impact.