Shirley Guerrier
I am a first generation American, and the concept that “education is the
key” was strongly ingrained in me by my parents. I came to UMBC from the
allied health and health education fields. I was working on some post-baccalaureate
chemistry classes when I took stock and discovered my true passion, education.
I want to instill the value of education in today’s youth as my parents instilled
it in me. I want to share my passion for science and get others equally
excited about it. I want to make a positive impact on the number of
minority and female students entering the scientific workforce. That’s why
I decided to make the career shift to teaching.
I am a Sherman Scholar in the STEM Project, completing
my Master’s of Arts in Teaching. I work in a school with a partner
teacher four days per week while taking classes at night. It is a challenging,
but wonderful, experience. I cannot wait to have my own fourth or fifth grade
classroom next year!
Jenny Ruchti
I am excited and honored to be a part of the Sherman STEM Teacher Education
Program. Teaching is an extremely rewarding career, but it certainly helps
to have support along the way. I am thankful for the support I have received,
and I hope to be that support to others in coming years. I look forward to
being an active Sherman alumna, having mentor teachers, attending workshops
and conferences, encouraging young people to become teachers and guiding
new teachers with similar philosophies, struggles and triumphs.
I believe every child can learn and deserves the opportunity
to do so. My experiences in the classroom have made me grateful for the opportunity
to share my knowledge, and my heart, with children. While taking evening
classes, I teach eighth grade math at Meade Middle School in Anne Arundel
County; a terrifically enjoyable and challenging experience. I am in my second
year in the MAT program at UMBC, and I will graduate with a master’s degree
and a certificate in secondary mathematics. Through my studies I gain new
insights into my job, every day.