Alumni Focus: Carla DeLucia '05

This is the ninth in a series of Alumni Focus features where we hear from alumni of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department and find out what they have been doing since graduation. This note is from Carla DeLucia '05, who was a mathematics major.

Carla writes... During the summer following graduation from William Smith in May 2005, I moved to Boston and began a one-year intensive Master's program in math education at Boston University (BU). After completion of this program I will have my Masters Degree as well as Teaching Certification in Massachusetts. My studies began this past summer when I completed a six-week intensive course in number theory. (Good thing I had some background knowledge from Prof. Oaks!) In the Fall I completed graduate level math and education classes, and spent many hours both observing and tutoring at a local high school. In addition to my academic responsibilities, I served as a home school teacher for a boy with special needs. During my years at HWS, I was an active participant in student government and decided to continue that involvement at BU by becoming an active member of my Graduate Student Association. This past spring semester I completed my full-time student teaching at Watertown High School. This small, friendly community immediately reminded me of the HWS community and I felt right "at home." I met many amazing people who were all very friendly, encouraging, and willing to help in any way possible. This experience was priceless in the formative years of a new teacher. In addition to student teaching I took 3 night classes this semester so life was quite busy! This summer I will complete my graduate classes and be finished with my formal education...at least for the time being! What's in store for life after graduate school? I will be teaching high school math in Framingham, MA during the 2006-07 school year. I had originally planned on returning to my hometown of Rochester, NY to teach, but I fell in love with the city of Boston and decided to begin my teaching career in the city where I gained my education in teaching. At HWS, I was not involved in the education program so it's never too late to decide that teaching is the career for you. I am very excited to start my new job as a high school mathematics teacher! ---From Carla DeLucia, May 10, 2006 Carla DeLucia