LEADERSHIP

As an undergraduate student, I was fortunate to have meaningful interactions with professors and their assistants. I have always admired teaching assistants and yearned to become one; they have a vast knowledge of a subject, but they're also relatable and easier to interact with from a student's perspective. I believe that a teaching assistant can be the key to motivating and inspiring students, especially students who make an effort to learn but still struggle with a class.  ​ In the Summer of 2021, I introduced my Histology professor (Dr. Bradshaw) to Anki, the study tool I used to succeed in her class. I became her teaching assistant, and we decided to implement this study strategy in her Fall 2021 course. I taught the students how to use the program and gave them the flashcards I made when I took the class. After the first exam, several students emailed me expressing their gratitude for this new study tool, saying that they were able to understand the topics a little better, which helped them tremendously on their test! For the Spring 2022 semester, Dr. Bradshaw suggested that we continue with the study and offered me a position as a TA for her Neurobiology class. This has been an enriching experience; I know these students now have something to help them succeed in their undergraduate classes and beyond. ​ That same semester, my Genetics professor (Dr. Bayer) offered me a position as a Learning Assistant. With this experience, I had the chance to guide students through classroom activities meant to help them understand complex topics (mitosis, DNA replication, gene transcription, etc.) When I first transferred to UCF, I found it challenging to score even a 70% on an exam; I didn't know how to study correctly and wasn't 100% focused. As a teaching assistant, sometimes I interact with students who are struggling just a bit more than their peers, and each time I'm reminded of when I used to be in their shoes. This gives me a new lens that I use to encourage them to believe in themselves. I've also found ways to teach them difficult concepts in easy-to-understand ways that I know would've helped me back when I was in their spot.