My name is Aranka Akunyili

 

According to family folklore, my favorite toy as a toddler was my older brother’s abacus. Nevertheless, as far back as I can remember, I loved Mathematics. I studied Engineering and worked as an engineer and part-owned an engineering business, prior to entering the teaching profession.

​

        Few years back, I concluded that my love for mathematics and for teaching children, combined with the necessary training, would make me a good teacher. The catalyst was my on the spot decision to help a coworker, during lunch break, understand working with fractions.  I used an orange to explain whole numbers, the segments to explain fractions and I instantly became the unofficial math tutor for everyone in my immediate circle of acquaintances.

         I started substitute teaching in August 2016 and I worked as a substitute teacher in four different school districts in Southern California, holding many long term positions as a math teacher. I have completed my credential program in Mathematics at California State University in San Bernardino and completed my student teaching at Kings Middle School in San Bernardino, teaching 8th grade math. Additionally, to holding a preliminary Math teaching credential, I obtained a preliminary credential in Career Technical Education, Engineering & Architecture.

​

        I am presently teaching 7th grade math at Cucamonga Middle School, Central School District. Teaching exposed me to the culture and diversity of the environment I live in now. Born and educated in Europe and having lived in Africa for many years, I feel prepared and comfortable working with the students made up by a diverse population. I have also decided to add to my myriad of languages, Spanish, which I learn at this moment. Being a life-long learner is very important for me, but the most important aspect of teaching is to care about my students, individually, and about their learning experience in my classroom.

         I am a firm believer that each young adult is a fountain of untapped potential and is my job as a teacher to help tap that potential. Giving each student a sense of confidence and believe in oneself is the most important thing I could do as a teacher. This is the conviction I hope to be able to install in all my students and a set of skills that will help them reach the best of their potential.
 

​

​