a guiding hand disguised as a math teacher

By Nicole Q

Do you, like me, struggle with math? There are many individuals on campus such as Mayra Munoz, a math teacher here at YB, who care deeply about her students' well-being and success.

One of the many things Ms. Munoz offers to help her students succeed is tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Ms. Munoz takes the time out of her day to help students with whatever they desire, whether that’ll be advice, math help, or even just comfort.

Being a math teacher wasn't always her plan though. Ms. Munoz wanted to be a surgeon but changed her mind her second year of college. She changed her career path because she likes having an impact on her students' lives. She realized how important it is to have a good teacher.

Ms. Munoz: “I worked with a student who was failing all their classes, Ds and Fs, and that's when I realized how important having a good teacher is because he wanted to learn but he felt all his teachers kinda gave up on him.”

Sometimes students overlook the role of a teacher. Some teachers decided to become teachers because of their experience in high school like Mr. Martinez (history teacher). But Ms. Munoz just likes to help and be able to change students' minds on their beliefs that teachers gave up on them.

Ms. Munoz is 25 and has a daughter (Jade, 7). I can tell she really loves her because she brings her up, like “oh, my daughter” and showed me a picture of her as well. When Covid first started, Ms. Munoz was graduating college with her bachelor's but unfortunately wasn't able to walk the stage. She expresses how she would have planned out her last years of college but Covid ruined it.

Ms. Munoz: “I didn't really have anything fun to do. I couldn't walk the stage; I got my diploma through the mail. I remember crying because you work so hard to go to college—that moment, it's not just for you but for your family.”

Being a teacher comes with its flaws and Ms. Munoz has said it's a little stressful but enjoys her job. It's really reassuring to know that teachers want to make an impact on their students' lives. I can tell Ms. Munoz isn't in it for the money. She genuinely loves her job and she is a great teacher.

Ms. Munoz: “I love it but it is one of the most stressful, tiring careers. It's more stressful and tiring than I thought, that's for sure. But I love my interactions with the students while in the classroom—that's my favorite part.”