Educational Plans Personal Statements Examples

I believed that mathematics is an exact and accurate field of study where there could be diverse ways of solving a problem; yet the solution would only be one. It was precisely this structured formal approach to learning that initially enticed me to pursue mathematics as a field of endeavor. Having graduated at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics Degree has always been regarded as an admirable accomplishment in my life. The theoretical frameworks learned, as well as the skills and abilities developed in the program were aptly applied in the corporate world. Working as an analyst after graduation satisfied by career goals for more than 14 years. It was then that I realized that, consistent with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, when a certain need has been satisfied, it ceases to be a motivating factor. A trip to China last year provided the impetus to recognize that there is a new calling – to become an educator with expertise in the field that I had been immensely interested in: mathematics.
I want to pursue higher education in mathematics through a Master’s degree in the same academic institution that provided me with the knowledge and skills in this field of study. The UMKC had always been close to my heart since it enabled the provision of opportunities for continued learning and professional growth. Through inculcating the appropriate mind set and discipline for learning and the application of what one has learned, the UMKC is deemed to be the most effective academic institution that would continue to provide advanced knowledge in this field of interest.
The experience of teaching mathematics and English to underprivileged children in a mission trip to China was an epiphany for me. There was a sense of profound fulfillment that has been achieved – analogous to a higher level need – a means to satiate esteem and self-actualization needs. I then decided that the best way to impart advanced knowledge is to pursue higher education. Working as an analyst in the corporate world made me realize that there was a void that needs to be filled. The experience of teaching children in China stirred a new passion. I found my true calling. It made me feel alive again. I look forward to sharing the reason for my genuine interest in mathematics to others. As such, I decided that I want to come back to UMKC and pursue a Master’s degree in mathematics to advance my knowledge in this field of endeavor.
My academic goal is to be a mathematics teacher and teach math at all academic levels. I want to help children and adults with their math studies. My plan is to further my study in mathematics, taking higher level mathematics classes to assist the academic requirements of my students and enable understanding math better. I am immensely optimistic to apply what I will learn at the graduate level to teach more students about math using innovative instructional approaches and methods. I am to design instructional methods in ways that cater to the distinct needs and competencies of diverse students. I have acknowledged, from my teaching experience that educators need to develop teaching methodologies and use instructional resources that should be tailored to the students’ academic needs. Since mathematics had always been classified as one of the most challenging subjects in the academe, I plan to make math more exciting and easy to comprehend. Moreover, I plan to share to my students the love I felt for this field of endeavor and hopefully, influence them to imbibe similar interests in this exciting field of discipline. Mathematics gave me the opportunity to seek more avenues for professional growth. In the end, I acknowledge that there really is just one solution to attain my goal in life: to use mathematics as a means to share this passion to others.