Deborah Rosenfeld
Human Development
I taught 1st, 4th, and 8th grade before I began writing a NSF-funded
elementary math curriculum called Think Math. As I wrote lesson plans,
observed teachers using them, and interacted more with students, I realized
my need to know more about child development. I got my Masters in Human
Development and Psychology and am now starting my Ph.D. in Cognitive Studies
in Education. I am curious about what motivates (or de-motivates) students
to learn in general and more specifically to learn math. I'm very excited to
be part of the Buddies program and can't wait to teach and learn from my
students!
Trent Henry
Counseling & Clinical Psychology
Hi, my name is Trent, and I am pursuing a M.A. in Clinical Psychology at TC. I was raised in Ohio and I love nature, but I love people even more (which explains why NYC currently monopolizes my time). While I am excited to improve a few students' math skills at PS 200, I am most passionate about contributing to the cultivation of young peoples' self-esteem. I believe humans are creative and intellectually curious by nature, and it is our environment that robs of our instinctive ways. As a math tutor, I hope to help students succeed within our current system, as a means of improving their self-esteem with the larger hope that each person may find the confidence to define themselves and enliven their inborn spirit.
Brett ApRoberts
Mathematics, Science and Technology
Greetings! My name is Brett ApRoberts and I am a student at Teachers College working on my Masters in Teaching with the intent of teaching high-school chemistry and physics. I find math to be strangely compelling because I have often struggled with both abstract and spatial representations as presented in traditional pedagogy. It wasn't until I was forced to make my own meaning of these representations, as I utilized the mathematical methods and procedures in my chemistry and physics courses, did I begin to comprehend math's complexity and elegance while pondering its usefulness in my life. The question is, how do we compel students to explore and assign their own meaning to their understanding and utilization of math?
Elizabeth Jacob
International and
Transcultural studies
My name is Elizabeth and I am very excited to be a part of the EdZone Math buddies. I
have been tutoring since i was a teenager but i still learn new things from every student
I have. Last 2 years, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso as a secondary school
teacher and taught Chemistry/Physics and Math. Currently, I am a Masters student in the
International Educational Developmental program in the Department of International and
Transcultural studies.
Aisha Burrell
Awais Ahsan
Mathematics Education
(INFJ)Assalaamualaikum (Peace be with you)! I am in the Mathematics Education program at Teachers College. I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts (home of the MLB champion Red sox). My interests include learning about Islam, playing and watching basketball, and of course, teaching and learning mathematics!
William Bassett
Mathematics Education
Hello, my name is Bill Bassett. For the past 1825 days, I have been teaching math. (How many years is this?) I am passionate about the exploration of math as well as working with kids. I love to make math interesting and show off its exciting real world uses. I was raised in Colorado and am currently studying Mathematics Education at Teachers College.
Ashvin Jaishankar
Christy Moorman
Sociology and Education
My name is Christy Moorman (ENFJ). I am a M.A. student in the Sociology and Education Program. It was my search for self and motivation to seize opportunities that led me to New York City. I find potential in everyone and want to help others fulfill their potential. I am empathetic, responsive, and responsible. My linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal strengths enable me to achieve my goal “to live deliberately.”
Jennifer Ochs
Mathematics Education
Hi! My name is Jennifer and I’m in the mathematics education program. As an ENFJ, I am able to talk through my thinking as I plan and organize problems, which helps me as a math buddy. Further, since I am strong in mathematical/logical and interpersonal intelligences, I look forward to learning from my students who have strengths in other areas. My favorite math joke is: Why are lumberjacks musically inclined? Because they have natural logarithms!
Narmeen Razzaqui
Mathematics Education
(ESFJ)Assalaamualaikum (Peace be with you)! My name is Narmeen. I just started my maters in math education at Teachers College. I’m excited to be part of the TC math buddy program because I love working with others and I love math. In my free time I like to spend time with my friends and family – most importantly, with my 4-year old nephew, Yusuf. :-)
Adam Voight
International Education Development
My name is Adam Voight, and I'm very excited about working with students at PS 123 this year as a Math Buddy. My background in teaching and working with children stems from my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar teaching environmental education, ESL, and HIV/AIDS education. I also have experience tutoring elementary math in my hometown of Northport, MI. My public school was K-12 with an approximate student body population of 300, and I was constantly involved in programs to work with elementary students who were only at the other end of the building. Presently, I'm pursuing an M.A. in International Education Development from Teachers College and hope to be involved in global education and peace education development efforts in the U.S. and abroad. My Myers-Brigg label is INFP with very strong tendencies towards I and P. I look forward to a rewarding year at PS 123 for all parties involved.
Yuanda (Kenny) Zhang
Mathematics Education
My name is Yuanda Zhang and people call me Kenny. I am from China and I am a first year Master student majoring in Math Ed at Teachers College, Columbia University. I am not very familiar with education since my undergraduate study is electrical engineering. However, I have several teaching experience with different level of students. I was a peer tutor when I was in high school. It was an after school program which I tutored 7-12 graders in their math, physics, or chemistry homework’s. Moreover, I was a peer tutor at college level too. I provided homework help to freshmen and sophomore in math and physics. In addition, I was a Teaching Assistant in an Electronic Design Lab class where I assisted students in their design projects. Being a math buddy will enhance my practical experience in teaching which helps me establish my unique pedagogy. My Myers Briggs Type Indicator is INTJ.
