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Craig Young
STEP '07
Science
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"When I began considering a career change to teaching, several people suggested that I get an emergency credential and go right into the classroom. ‘You’re a great teacher and you already know the subject matter. Why spend the time and $$$ on a full-time credentialing program?’ I certainly saw some of the merits of this argument, but I’m extremely glad I chose to complete the STEP program before taking over my own classroom. While I might have been an okay teacher without it, I never would have been the kind of teacher I aspire to be. Looking back, I’m amazed at my naiveté regarding effective curriculum planning and classroom management, not to mention adolescent development, English language learners and students with special needs. Not only has STEP prepared me for these challenges but, with the faculty, the staff and my STEP colleagues, I now have a support network of inspiring teachers that I can call on in the years to come. There’s no doubt that STEP was the right choice for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to make the most of their career in teaching." |
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Stacy Ishigaki
STEP '07
English
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"My year in STEP has been a profound learning experience that has transformed me from an idealistic college grad into a young professional with a solid foundation in curriculum development, learning theory, language policy, assessment, and dozens of instructional strategies—and the knowledge to adapt these strategies for my specific students. I have learned how to best serve my students' learning needs by maintaining high expectations for their achievement while supporting their growth towards these goals. My work at my placement in the mornings complements and reinforces my learning at Stanford in the afternoons; this seamless transition between hands-on and academic learning, between practice and reflection has proven to be the most valuable aspect of the program. I have been blessed with a support system of mentors and professors who are genuinely invested in my growth as a teacher and fellow classmates who continually share different perspectives, ask critical questions, and offer words of encouragement, both in and out of class. STEP has reaffirmed my belief that all students can learn with the right kind of teaching—teaching that recognizes students' diverse backgrounds, accepts their individuality, and challenges them to develop the critical thinking necessary for future success." |
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JR Rivera
STEP '07
English
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"Education is sacred to me. It is a space where ideas can be created and explored without judgment, where pluralism is not simply tolerated but acknowledged as a means to foster a richer understanding of humanity. As an undergrad, I learned that literature had the power to extend that space into the privacy of my own whereabouts. But more importantly it had the ability to develop my sense of empathy so that I could truly begin to see the importance of a pluralistic society not just from my own limited perspective but from many perspectives; it allowed me to see the world with a constant brilliance. STEP has taught me the knowledge and wisdom to recreate those spaces so that I can teach others to find that beauty in the world on their own terms. " |
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Jennifer Payne
STEP '07
Mathematics
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"STEP has been, by far, the best educational experience of my life. Before coming to STEP, I had never dreamed that I could learn so much about teaching and, more importantly, improving students’ lives in my classroom. STEP places an emphasis on social justice and the importance that every student, regardless of their economic or racial background, deserves the best education we can provide for them. Because of this, every STEP class provides us with the information and tools necessary to communicate our subject matter to a diverse population of students and their individual needs. Each and every instructor involved in STEP has taken the time and effort necessary to get to know me on a personal level and are able to relate the course material to meet my personal educational goals. It is also these personal interactions which allow the faculty at STEP to find students teaching placements which are a perfect fit for each of us. My student teaching experience has definitely been the best part of STEP. I have had the opportunity to spend the entire year working with and learning from my Cooperating Teacher and my students. It also gives me the opportunity to integrate everything I am learning in my STEP courses into my classroom and teaching style. Throughout this program, I have grown immensely, in ways I could not have imagined, as an educator and truly feel as though I am capable and ready to change the way in which my students learn and think about math, as well as impact their lives for the better." |
Jessica Kato
STEP '07
Elementary
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"STEP is an intense year of discovering a lot not only about the teaching profession but also about yourself. Between coursework, student teaching, and impromptu conversations with my classmates and instructors, I have been pushed to define who I am as an educator as well as a person. STEP has provided me with the chance to go through this process, and has shown me that while I have learned a ton this year it is only the tip of the iceberg." |
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