Please have a look at my SOP for PhD(Mathematics Education) and suggest corrections

[Chinna_Vinay]

“The best way to learn mathematics is to do; the worst way to teach mathematics is to talk”

                                                                                   – Paul Halmos

I have always believed in this phrase and for me that steady purpose is to bring out the best in me and to scale new heights. Today, as a 23-year-old individual I perceive that life for me has been a process of conscious evolution. The most integral part of this growth is the value system taught to me by my parents, teachers and mentors combined with a natural curiosity for mathematics. This played a vital role in my decision making for the future. However my liking for mathematics has guided me into pursuing a Bachelor degree in Mathematics with minors in Statistics and Computer Science. This decision gave me ample opportunity to consolidate my creative energies and harness my mathematical skills. One of my mathematics teacher’s method specially the way he involved us successfully in learning process was the reason I became so interested in mathematics. It was then I dreamed to be a mathematics educator in future. While earning my bachelor`s degree, I had the opportunity to student teach 10th grade mathematics at the same school from where I graduated with a Secondary School Certificate. During this experience, I learned and applied a broad range of teaching strategies by consulting experts in this area for clear objectives and learning goals. After which I choose to further excel in mathematics and cracked few entrances tests to be qualify for the master’s education.

 

After teaching at my school for 2 years, I joined National Institute of Technology, Warangal, INDIA, one of the nation`s best and reputed institution. I graduated with a Master`s in Applied Mathematics in 2014. This is where I started teaching in an under-graduate engineering college as a part time instructor for the ‘Differential Equations’ course.  My experiences in the undergraduate college enhanced my success as an educator. As an educator, one hopes to experience teaching in various level of education. This great experience reinforced my desire to help bridge this gap between teachers and research. Through my work with university students, I am able to make decision in difficult conditions and see the diversity between experiences in schools and universities. In addition, I found that how the lack of research and project-based education affects students at learning university courses.

 

When I moved to the USA for my PhD degree at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, I received Graduate Teaching Fellowship from my department which includes duties such as Supplemental Instruction and Grading for two Calculus courses. Looking at my previous experiences, the department of mathematics asked me to serve as a Supplemental Instructor for the course ‘3400 – Intro to Differential Equations’.

 

 

Now, I am assigned to teach a full semester course at the university which, with all my experience, I am incorporating different kinds of technologies and techniques to help students in understanding the material effectively. For example, I use the computing software Wolfram Mathematica to introduce them to the various kinds of functions and its behavior. To keep their learning capability active, I do notable mistakes (common error students often do) on purpose when solving a problem and wait for a couple of minutes until any of the students raise their hand to rectify it with absolute confidence. Surprisingly, this trick is working very well and turns out my students are actively participating in the lecture. My experience as Graduate Teaching Fellow for a year has proven to be an asset both in the classroom and on campus. I have a deeper understanding of what diversity means after dealing with students at the University and have been able to build productive and valuable relationships with students and peers.

But my daring and serious change happened when I decided to take a big step towards my dream. This major step is to transfer to a university where there is a PhD program in Mathematics Education. There are two main reasons why I want to pursue a PhD in Mathematics Education. First, I want to be involved in decision-making concerning equality, reform, and curriculum development for high school math education. Second, I want to better understand issues in undergraduate mathematics education. My experiences as a student and teacher have allowed me to realize these goals and have prepared me for studying Math Education at the PhD level.

 

 Ideas such as the lesson study model and others provided the chance for me to focus my pedagogical lens. Collaboration practicing teachers helped me see the need to bring research back to the classroom and to lead teachers toward a better understanding of math. By completing a doctorate, I plan to improve my own proficiency in mathematics and math education so that I can help to bridge the gap between research and practice.

 I know what it takes to succeed in a graduate program. Over the past year, I have learned how to balance teaching, studying, research, and classes. In my first year, I successfully studied for, and passed, a qualifying exam in real analysis and also took a course in Mathematical Modelling. To make myself comfortable to the Analysis, I have started writing Solution Manual to the text book of analysis that is used at our university. On top of my teaching, exams, and research I have been able to thrive in my classes by maintaining a 3.7 GPA.

Mentioned all above, I’m seeking a Department with high-level research programs in order to guide me to my destination. I intend to complete an Education program enthusiastically. Combining my talent with hard work, I am passionate to discover beyond the corners of my major, where there are always new undiscovered directions lying in wait, and I believe my strong background proves that I am qualified enough to do so. Although I’m not a native speaker of English, my schooling and college education has been taught in English.  My intention for applying for Mathematics Education program at University  is due to its high quality of study, strong research facilities, diverse cultural environment and honorable faculty members that altogether make your university the best choice for me in order to achieve my goals. I am really attracted results of the research project ********************** and I would like to be a part of more such projects in future. I am pretty sure that I have made a perfect choice and now I see myself closer than ever to my goals, dreams and vision. I believe I will contribute to your program through my researches, coordination and energy while increasing the intellectual richness and diversity of University .

 

 

Sincerely, 

Vinay Kanth Rao Kodipelly