Mya Brown is a secondary education student majoring in chemistry. In addition to her studies, she is a tutor at a local elementary school, and an active participant in the Mesa Community College service learning department and Future Educators Club.

I have always loved children of all ages and wanted to help people whether it is in the health or teaching field. I first started at Mesa Community College (MCC) in fall 2009 as a pre-med major but that all changed when one elective class, Introduction to Education, changed my life. EDU 221 was an extremely challenging class. The course covered a wide variety of topics and issues about public education, and revealed both rewards and challenges that faced educators. In this class, I discovered I was destined to be a teacher. In the fall of 2010, I officially changed my major from pre-med to secondary education.

During that semester, I immersed myself in the education program. I completed service learning hours at a local elementary school and became active with the service learning department. I also got involved with the Future Educators Club (FEC) and really started to grow as a future educator.

My drive to become a teacher is to change people's lives and perspectives on science and math. For most people, chemistry is a difficult subject and I want to change that. I want all students from all walks of life to succeed in chemistry and understand the subject. Students should not stray away from chemistry because of the negative perception that it is a hard subject. On my journey to becoming an educator, I have realized that some tasks may be difficult but all things are possible with a little bit of determination.

Over the last academic year, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of many service learning projects, such as Project H.O.P.E, volunteering at the East Valley Boys and Girls Club, and many more. One of my service learning experiences even opened up the door for a part-time job opportunity working 20 hours per week as an America Reads tutor at Mesa Arts Academy, where I tutored K-3 students to help improve their reading scores. That opportunity was amazing.

I have worked with many faculty and students on setting up events with the FEC and the Center for Service Learning. The experience working with my fellow students and staff members has helped me to develop my leadership and networking skills. It has also increased my drive to become an educator.
One of the FEC coordinated events was a screening of the documentary, Mitchell 20. Going into the movie, I did not know what to expect. Was this another Waiting for Superman or would it be something that I can apply to my life? Needless to say, it was a movie that I can and will apply to my life. As I watched the film, I was not only inspired, but I really related to the journey and camaraderie of the teachers as they sought National Board Certification. This phenomenal film increased my passion to become a teacher. It showed how to work with others and to never give up on your dreams.

After the movie was over, a panel discussion was held. Having the opportunity to hear from Daniela Robles the Mitchell Elementary School teacher who inspired her peers to pursue National Board Certification, and Lori Fultz a MCC faculty member who recently received her National Board Certification, was mind blowing. Hearing these two amazing women share their journey left me the desire to never give up on my dreams; that even if I stumble or feel discouraged with the many challenges facing educators, to never give up.

I think the key idea I received from the movie and from my experience as an active member of the FEC is that collaboration is the key to success. Working with my peers reinforces my desire to strive for the best, just like those teachers did in the movie, and like my peers do now.

I am well on my journey to become a high school chemistry teacher. In the fall of 2012, I will transfer to San Diego State University. And while my MCC FEC peers will not be with me physically, they will be with me in spirit. They are just an email, phone call, or text away for those times when I am feeling challenged or overwhelmed. Most importantly, I know I have the experience and skills to form new friendships with the other future teachers I will meet.

Note about Mitchell 20

Mitchell 20 is a documentary about 20 teachers at Mitchell Elementary School, a high poverty school in the Isaac School District in Phoenix, Arizona who decided to improve one thing they had control over – the quality of their teaching. Over a three year period, these teachers are followed as they attempt National Board Certification, a grueling program that is considered the most accurate measure of teacher effectiveness in relation to student achievement. This is a story of frustration, hope and purpose, and an amazing example of how we can fundamentally confront and overcome inequality in a society.
For information about Mitchell 20, click here.