Five UC Irvine CalTeach Juniors Gain Inspiration and Community at Math Education Conference in Palm Springs
By Sofia Del Fine
February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025
UC Irvine CalTeach Teacher Network CoordinatorNaehee Kwun (right) with the students at the conference
Last November, five UC Irvine CalTeach junior students – Vlada Kuvshinova, Whitney Noh, Luz Hernandez, Lauren Duong, and Emma Garcia – had the incredible opportunity to attend the California Math Council (CMC) South Conference in Palm Springs, thanks to the generous support of the Mike Contino Scholarship.
The CMC South Conference, a hub for collaboration and professional growth, provided these future educators with access to inspiring workshops, seasoned mentors, and a vibrant community of fellow educators. As part of the student volunteer program, the attendees were paired with experienced conference committee members who guided them through the event, sharing insights and helping them maximize their experience.
Each student, who was enrolled in ED 55: Knowing and Learning in STEM last fall, selected workshops that aligned with their coursework and career aspirations, exploring topics like equity-driven teaching practices, creative classroom management, and antiracist education. Their participation also included a year-long CMC membership, granting ongoing access to valuable resources and professional development opportunities.
Reflecting on the experience, the students highlighted how the conference inspired new teaching strategies and reinforced their passion for becoming educators. "Talking with these teachers at the conference gave me so much hope and excitement to become a teacher who does make an impact on students," Kuvshinova shared. "The community was just incredible, and I would love to go again. I also loved going to some workshops to see what other things to implement in my future classroom."
Noh added: “Attending this conference reminded me that there is a strong and passionate math teacher community where everyone is truly there to support and celebrate one another. It was comforting to witness this as a student and know I get to be a part of it."
Through opportunities like this, UC Irvine CalTeach continues to prepare the next generation of equity-focused STEM educators, committed to creating inclusive and justice-centered classrooms.
The CMC South Conference, a hub for collaboration and professional growth, provided these future educators with access to inspiring workshops, seasoned mentors, and a vibrant community of fellow educators. As part of the student volunteer program, the attendees were paired with experienced conference committee members who guided them through the event, sharing insights and helping them maximize their experience.
Each student, who was enrolled in ED 55: Knowing and Learning in STEM last fall, selected workshops that aligned with their coursework and career aspirations, exploring topics like equity-driven teaching practices, creative classroom management, and antiracist education. Their participation also included a year-long CMC membership, granting ongoing access to valuable resources and professional development opportunities.
Reflecting on the experience, the students highlighted how the conference inspired new teaching strategies and reinforced their passion for becoming educators. "Talking with these teachers at the conference gave me so much hope and excitement to become a teacher who does make an impact on students," Kuvshinova shared. "The community was just incredible, and I would love to go again. I also loved going to some workshops to see what other things to implement in my future classroom."
Noh added: “Attending this conference reminded me that there is a strong and passionate math teacher community where everyone is truly there to support and celebrate one another. It was comforting to witness this as a student and know I get to be a part of it."
Through opportunities like this, UC Irvine CalTeach continues to prepare the next generation of equity-focused STEM educators, committed to creating inclusive and justice-centered classrooms.
