By Veeshan Narinesingh, STEM co-teacher
On Thursday, our STEM students had a special guest. Jhevon Smith, a lecturer at City College and my professor for vector calculus and linear algebra, gave a talk entitled “What I Wish I Knew at 13.”
It was a great way for our young men to interact with someone who came from a similar background and worked his way up to teach STEM at the collegiate level.
He began by asking the kids about their favorite subjects. Many of them said math and science.
He talked to them about growing up, study and memorization skills, problem solving, STEM careers, and the character qualities we must develop in order to be successful. At one point Noah asked, “How can someone who doesn’t like math learn to like it?”
Jhevon told the students that we develop pride in things we are good at. Even if a subject doesn’t come easily, they can improve through perseverance and sacrifice. When a subject is mastered through hard work, this pride will follow.
The kids had many questions for Jhevon, and they really got a kick out of asking him about me as a student. It was very informative and also fun.