I believe that teachers hold a powerful role in shaping the future of our communities. Part of our job is to advocate for the success of all of our students, which means preparing them with the appropriate skills and providing the appropriate environment to expand their worldview.”

Brenda’s Story

Teaching brings together Brenda’s love for science and mathematics with her passion for creating positive social change through youth advocacy. She has always been excited by the prospect of sharing what she’s learned about the world with others and continuing to learn new things about how the world works. As an introspective and analytical person, the process of sharing and receiving information brings value and meaning to her life.

Since beginning her undergraduate studies in physics education at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Brenda has worked with a wide range of learners. She began working with students at her high school alma mater. Next, she tutored high school students in physics, math, biology and Spanish, and college students in physics and math. While at UCSC, she observed and taught physics, algebra, and physical science as a student teacher.

For one year following graduation, Brenda worked at an after school program, where she led a classroom of fourth graders. To earn her teaching credential and a Master of Arts in Teaching, she began graduate studies at the University of California, Irvine.

Brenda, a first-generation American citizen and college graduate, fully understands the elevating power of education. As such, she is passionate about bringing access to meaningful science learning to underserved and underprivileged communities.

As a Knowles Teaching Fellow, she hopes “to learn how to optimize the deep, meaningful learning in her classroom, so that her students are able to transfer the skills they learn in physics into other aspects of their everyday lives.”

In her spare time, Brenda teaches people about infrared astronomy and its real-world applications as a Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) volunteer.