Here is the prompt:
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate the person you are?
This is a rough rough rough draft -.- . I still feel that things are lacking and hope that you guys can help point out my weakness. Thanks a lot!
I am an obstinate learner. Ever since I began schooling, I would bombard teachers with a myriad of questions in hope of unveiling the world around me; however, my inquiries often culminated in a disillusioning admission to ignorance. Because they could not always offer answers, I despised teachers when I was a small child; however, as I matured, I found that I myself loved to teach, whether it be history riddles or science conundrums. Through my endeavors, I learned that teaching is an audacious profession. While training his apprentices, the teacher hones his own pen (of erudition) to fend off the armies of enigma. No other venture offers the gifts of experience and the gratification of bestowing priceless knowledge. Teaching is the noblest deed a person can partake of in his lifetime.
When I received my first Great Book of Math Puzzles, I was delighted by the challenge. For several days, I drudged through hidden messages and logic maps; I was extremely excited when the puzzles were finally deciphered and urgently gathered my family to share my findings. Although my brothers and parents replied with an indifferent nod, I could not contain my discovery. I felt compelled to share my knowledge with others; I had discovered my love for teaching.
Eventually, I established teaching as a minor hobby. I would tutor my brothers and friends in homework and prepare younger students for tests. All this time, because I was familiar with my pupils' curriculums, I was prepared for any attack. Confident of my capabilities, I decided to volunteer at Hopkins Junior High's math circle; however, to my surprise and shame, I often could not immediately answer every question thrown upon me. There, I understood the reactions of my former teachers to my enigmatic questions.
Through the club, I learned that the great teacher learns with his own students. Although initially embarrassed, I gradually grew comfortable admitting my ignorance and enjoyed struggling with my students to unearth the mathematic mysteries. By cooperating and conversing about the potential solutions to various problems, I not only expanded my expertise in algebra, geometry, and combinatorics but also discovered the rewarding satisfaction of having toiled and accomplished together.
2009 was the first year I lead a team of four of my top students to the states round of MathCounts; furthermore, it was the first year that the Hopkins math circle had ever sent a member to compete nationally, a prestigious feat which only four middle school students from each state can achieve. I was extremely honored to have coached this team. Through this experience, I overcame my fear of ignorance and learned to be proud of my passion to teach. I had tasted the grandeur and pride of the teacher.
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate the person you are?
This is a rough rough rough draft -.- . I still feel that things are lacking and hope that you guys can help point out my weakness. Thanks a lot!
I am an obstinate learner. Ever since I began schooling, I would bombard teachers with a myriad of questions in hope of unveiling the world around me; however, my inquiries often culminated in a disillusioning admission to ignorance. Because they could not always offer answers, I despised teachers when I was a small child; however, as I matured, I found that I myself loved to teach, whether it be history riddles or science conundrums. Through my endeavors, I learned that teaching is an audacious profession. While training his apprentices, the teacher hones his own pen (of erudition) to fend off the armies of enigma. No other venture offers the gifts of experience and the gratification of bestowing priceless knowledge. Teaching is the noblest deed a person can partake of in his lifetime.
When I received my first Great Book of Math Puzzles, I was delighted by the challenge. For several days, I drudged through hidden messages and logic maps; I was extremely excited when the puzzles were finally deciphered and urgently gathered my family to share my findings. Although my brothers and parents replied with an indifferent nod, I could not contain my discovery. I felt compelled to share my knowledge with others; I had discovered my love for teaching.
Eventually, I established teaching as a minor hobby. I would tutor my brothers and friends in homework and prepare younger students for tests. All this time, because I was familiar with my pupils' curriculums, I was prepared for any attack. Confident of my capabilities, I decided to volunteer at Hopkins Junior High's math circle; however, to my surprise and shame, I often could not immediately answer every question thrown upon me. There, I understood the reactions of my former teachers to my enigmatic questions.
Through the club, I learned that the great teacher learns with his own students. Although initially embarrassed, I gradually grew comfortable admitting my ignorance and enjoyed struggling with my students to unearth the mathematic mysteries. By cooperating and conversing about the potential solutions to various problems, I not only expanded my expertise in algebra, geometry, and combinatorics but also discovered the rewarding satisfaction of having toiled and accomplished together.
2009 was the first year I lead a team of four of my top students to the states round of MathCounts; furthermore, it was the first year that the Hopkins math circle had ever sent a member to compete nationally, a prestigious feat which only four middle school students from each state can achieve. I was extremely honored to have coached this team. Through this experience, I overcame my fear of ignorance and learned to be proud of my passion to teach. I had tasted the grandeur and pride of the teacher.
