Kat Baker
Class of 2003, Astronomy Emphasis and Math minor
Science teacher, Fountain Valley School of Colorado
For me what it has meant is having the confidence to be able to go after the things that I am interested in. I had prior success with math but physics felt like the first thing I had to really struggle with and then persist and get through it. I did not do so well in my very first 241 class but it was the kick in the butt I needed to figure out how to learn and how to handle college classes. After that when things started to click, I found that being in an area where problems had a specific solution was incredibly helpful for me. Having something that I am both good at and enjoy doing has given my life a purpose that I can feel confident about and is something I enjoy doing, especially on the teaching side of things.
When I was in high school, I thought I was going to do something related to pure math. I had no idea what that would look like but if someone asked that's what I would say. And then in college, I really connected with physics. The only reason I signed up for physics was that I thought it would look good and help my chances of getting into CC as a female physics major. It was really at CC that I developed my love for physics. I loved seeing how much you can accomplish with physics and how the problems will have one answer. I had always struggled with subjects where the answers to questions might be objective. I was horrible at picking out what the main theme of a section of writing was, but physics had concrete answers that were verifiable.
When I got here and found out about the interim program, I developed a passion for helping the students have that experience. I went through the process of leading trips, then developing my own trips, then working with the committee. Now, this is the first year I am acting as the co-director for the program. I have developed my passion for experiential education and having the students go out into the real world. I also have the opportunity to share the things I am interested in with the students in multiple ways here on campus. I teach the robotics class here and volunteer at robotics competitions, I have students volunteer with me. If I have an interest in something there are venues to share that. We are encouraged to share our passions and hobbies with our students.
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