Mas

larger view

Name: Hector Leonzo
Age: 27
High School: BHS
College: Recently graduated from CSUB
Major: Mathematics

Q: Who has been your inspiration academically and why?
A: “It all started when I was a little boy having my mother pushing me into becoming the best at everything and it continued with my wife, who always expected success from me. Their expectations were energy that encouraged me into becoming a real mathematician. I feel that behind every great man there is a great woman, but in my case there are two great women. All of my siblings had been a success in their careers, and that antecedent made me never give up on my path toward a BS in mathematics.”
 
Q: What has been one of your most memorable college moments?
A: “Besides the graduation ceremony, it will have to be when a professor gave me a note where it said that my answers were ‘very elegant.’ I spent my whole weekend working on an assignment that was only worth 2 percent of my grade, but when I got my assignment back with the note attached, I knew that my close to 35 hours spent on that assignment were well spent. I actually saved the note and will keep it as a certificate of recognition.”
 
Q: Why did you choose the field that you did?
A: “Mathematics has always being my passion. Ever since I can remember I had always being playing numerical games in my head. Others things I enjoy doing are helping people understand new concepts and the opportunity to help others achieve goals. The movie ‘Stand and Deliver’ helped me realize that teaching mathematics is what I want to do for the rest of my life. With the responsibility of teaching mathematics every morning, I will gladly say ‘I get to go to work’ and not ‘I got to go to work.’”
 
Q: What are your career plans and future goals?
A: “I recently got hired by Mira Monte High School where I plan on staying for as long as possible. My plans are not only to become a math instructor, but a mentor for troubled kids. I wish to light up a spark into my students’ minds for them to succeed and one day graduate from college. If one of my students decides to keep studying toward a degree in mathematics, the day that student graduates from college will be an unforgettable day for me. Education never ends, so I will continue my studies toward a master’s degree.”
 
Q: What are your expectations regarding your first year of teaching?
A: “It will be a little tough at the beginning since it is something semi new to me, but it is something I will be able to control and make the best out of it. I have many ideas, as the use of the abacus, which I will try to use as assistance. I will teach my students to not only learn how to solve mathematical equations, but to learn the usage of them in real life. Ever since I got hired I have been reviewing academic standards and ways on how to help my students succeed. Aug. 18 will be the first day of classes, but my classes had already started.”

“Numbers are the highest degree of knowledge. It is knowledge itself.” — Plato

“Los números son el grado más alto del conocimiento. Es el conocimiento mismo.” — Plato