Peter Cheng
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What he does:
- Peter is a master's student in the Master's in Teaching program at the University of Washington, pursuing a career in teaching math at the middle school level. He also tutors part-time at UW in math, physics and English composition.
Math on the job:
- Teaching and tutoring math daily.
Peter's background:
- Peter has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, teacher preparation option, from the University of Washington. He graduated in Summer, 2004.
- Peter says he has always enjoyed math, and during his sophomore year in college, he began tutoring at a local middle school in Seattle. The following summer he did similar work at a private school in the area. These experiences were the deciding factor in choosing a career path in teaching mathematics.
- If you are interested in pursuing a math degree, take a course in fundamental reasoning, which is Math 310 at UW. It gives a good sampling of the various branches of mathematics and an idea of what it is like to study them through rigorous mathematical proofs. Unlike in the calculus series, just doing the homework is usually not enough to adequately prepare you for the exams. Don't let one professor's personality dissuade you from being a math major. Get to know people in your classes!
- Math is fun, but don't believe anyone who tells you it is easy.
- Talk to as many math people as you can. Talking and explaining math to others actually helps you understand the material better. You will discover you know more than you thought.
- If you are going to be a math major, take other math-related classes like physics and computer science. Not only may it help you understand some difficult and abstract concepts, but it will help answer the ag-old question students ask, "When are we going to use this?"