What motivates me to pursue a career as a Mathematics Teacher.

I am very excited to share that I have been successfully chosen by the NSW Department of Education to be the recipient of the 2022 teach.MathsNOW Scholarship. As a scholar, I will receive course contribution fee payments of up to $50,000, a $5,000 one-off training allowance, paid part-time employment whilst studying, a $5,000 study completion allowance, and a guaranteed permanent teaching position in a NSW public school come the conclusion of my university studies.

I have included below my response to one of the questions asked during the application: my motivation for pursuing a career as a Mathematics teacher.

"Tell us what motivates you to pursue a career as a mathematics teacher. Why would this scholarship help you achieve this goal?

My passion is mathematics. Hence, my motivation for pursuing a career as a mathematics teacher is to use my passion to inspire the next generation of young Australians to value, appreciate and excel in maths. In this response, I will share why I think it is important for students to value, appreciate and excel in maths, and I will explain with how this scholarship will help me to achieve my career goal as a mathematics teacher.

Firstly, the value of a good mathematics education is that it helps students to develop important life skills, namely, their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. These skills are especially valued in our highly digitalised, competitive and global workforce. As such, my aim as a mathematics teacher is to inspire my students to value their mathematics education, because it will help them to build a successful career in any industry.

Secondly, students will develop a heightened understanding of the world if they are able to appreciate mathematics. For example, by learning about how the Ancient Greeks proved that the earth was round using geometry, or how Katherine Johnson (one of the first woman of colour to attend West Virginia University) was responsible for calculating the trajectory of the first Americans who landed on the moon, students will recognise the significant contributions of mathematics on human civilisation. As such, my aim as a mathematics teacher is to also inspire my students to appreciate mathematics, because it will help them to understand the world and connect with the people around them.

Thirdly, when students value and appreciate mathematics, they will be inspired to excel in their mathematics education. Their love for mathematics will grow, and they will be inspired with confidence to improve their academic performance in maths. As such, my aim as a mathematics teacher is to also encourage my students to excel in their education, because this will help them to realise their life’s potential.

In summary, my career goal as a mathematics teacher is to use my passion to inspire the next generation of young Australians to value, appreciate and excel in maths. This scholarship will provide me with the wonderful opportunity to live out my passion and to improve mathematics education for young Australians in NSW public schools. I am committed to becoming a mathematics teacher who is part of the NSW Department of Education’s collective effort to improve education for young Australians."

I am very much looking forward to the journey ahead! "May You

guide the beginning of my work,

direct its progress,

and bring it to completion.

You Who are true God and true Man,

Who live and reign, world without end."

- Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas