Big Brain Testimonials
Alex Brown
After tutoring friends in math, Alex Brown knew he wanted to teach. He also wanted to pursue a degree in science. So, he entered GeauxTeach. "I am not learning to teach physics," Brown explained. "I am learning physics and I am learning to teach at the same time." Brown changed his mind about becoming an acoustical engineer. "Being able to explain a complicated concept others could understand and use, would be a lot more rewarding to me than doing a lot of deskwork. in a cubicle."
Nick Hoenes
Nick Hoenes' mind is set on being a teacher. But make no mistake about it - he is serious about getting his biological sciences degree. That's why he decided to do both by entering GeauxTeach. "This is not a mutant biology degree," Hoenes said. "It's a real biology degree and I have the flexibility to become certified as a teacher as well."
Huong Pham
Huong Pham thinks she wants to be a doctor. But she also strives to be more. That’s why she enrolled in GeauxTeach, a program that allows LSU math and science majors to pursue their degrees and certification to teach in secondary schools at the same time. “I don‘t want to be limited to being a doctor and that’s it,” Pham, a sophomore biology major, said. “And when I have those ahhh-haaa moments in the classroom teaching kids, that lets me know I can be more than one thing in life.”
In the introductory Step One course, she got into the classroom and experienced those ahhh-haaa teaching moments right away. “It was a wonderful experience and the kids are really excited for us to be there,” Pham said. “For me, I like passing on information and knowledge. And when you do that and you see the kids are having fun, it’s the most enjoyable thing for me.”
Verlisa Kennedy
Verlisa Kennedy remembers wanting to be a teacher when she was little, because her mom was a teacher. As a teenager, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. Funny how things come full circle. Kennedy, a biological sciences pre med junior, is still on track to becoming a doctor. She’s also on track to be a teacher because of GeuaxTeach, a program that allows LSU math and science majors to pursue their degrees and certification to teach in secondary schools at the same time. “If I also become a teacher, I have more options, so it’s not just med school or bust,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said GeauxTeach let her discover right away if teaching was for her. “It’s sort of like trial and error,” Kennedy said. “You go in [an elementary classroom] and you’re thinking you know what to expect, but you’re not sure and the more you teach, you become more hip to what to do. The first time the kids were a little unruly. The next time I brought snacks and they were quiet and listening. The next time, I’m bringing a whistle.”
Rabia Chaudhry
It’s a good thing that Rabia Chaudhry plans on becoming a doctor. Maybe one day she can cure the teaching bug she caught. Chaudhry , a freshman biology major, enrolled in GeauxTeach, a program that allows LSU math and science majors to pursue their degrees and certification to teach in secondary schools at the same time. She admits that her initial reasons for joining up were less than altruistic. “I did it at first because it looks good on your application to medical school,” she said. “In fact, in high school I used to think, who would ever want to be a teacher.”
Only one thing that could have changed Chaudhry’s mind - going into the classroom and teaching. “We did a lesson with a pendulum and they measured how many swings in 15 seconds and then had them estimate what would happen when you change length of ropes or the weight at the end,” Chaudhry said. “The kids were enthusiastic and excited to have us there. I never thought I would like teaching – it’s one of those things that you have to try out and see for yourself.”
Destiny Harris
When it comes to career plans, you might say Destiny Harris has a split personality – and that’s okay.
Harris, a freshman biology major, planned on going straight to medical school. Things changed when she enrolled in GeauxTeach, a program that allows LSU math and science majors to pursue their degrees and certification to teach in secondary schools at the same time. So which will it be? Both. So much for having to choose one or the other. “Right now I am thinking about going to medical school part-time and teaching school at the same time, since med school is so expensive,” she said.
In the introductory Step One class, Harris got to teach demonstration lessons to fourth graders right away. She found out that the challenge teaching poses motivated her. “It’s not as easy as it seems,” Harris said. “But it’s fun. I like being able to interact with the kids – being able to teach them about something they didn’t know about before.”
Theodore Williams
Theodore Williams, a 20-year old biology major, was going to be a dentist. But it was GeauxTeach, a program that allows LSU math and science majors to pursue their degrees and certification to teach in secondary schools at the same time, that put the big smile on his face.
Williams tutored football teammates and friends in high school biology. So, he thought he might minor in education as a "Plan B." "I wanted to go into the medical field because I was interested in science and one of the best careers with the best hours was dentistry and I was really interested in it," Williams said.
But the plans and letters got jumbled when Williams took GeauxTeach Step One, which gives students a chance to teach in a real public school classroom right away to see if they like it. "I never dealt with elementary students - I only tutored peers," Williams said. "It's something different when you are impacting a whole different generation and when you see their excitement about learning, it makes you more excited about teaching."
So, what's the plan now? "I really didn't think it would be possible to make a career out of education reform," Williams said. "I'm going to get my biology degree, but I have decided to pursue a Ph.D. in higher education administration."