Name: Ben Nachman

Myron Zhang

Name: Myron Zhang

Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Major: Physics, Math

Graduation year: 2012

My experience in the UTA program has given me a deeper appreciation for teaching. In taking on a teaching role, I have realized how much effort and consideration really goes into being a good teacher. I have also become more aware of the impact that a good teacher or professor can have on a student. Through practice via the UTA program, I am learning more and more about how to become a better teacher myself.

Name: Adam Dishaw
Hometown: Shrub Oak, NY
Major: Physics and Math
Graduation Year: 2012

I think one of the most valuable aspects of the UTA program was being partnered with a graduate student in the discussion sections. It made me realize how important it can be to have multiple ways of explaining a concept or demonstrating it to students. Although it seems obvious different people will learn in different ways, it was a very interesting experience to actually work with someone else who may have an entirely different way of envisioning a concept. Having two different TAs at different points in their physics educations allowed us to help students by giving different explanations and helped me by giving me new ways of thinking about physics and useful demonstrations and ways of explaining important ideas.

Name: Andrew Flye
Hometown: Newark, NY
Major: Physics
Graduation Year: 2011

My participation in the UTA program has given me a lot of insight into what goes into being a good teacher. I've had a chance to see how I think about things, and how that differs from other people, and how I can bridge those gaps. It has shown me that there is more to teaching than just knowing the material, but also knowing the student.

Name: Ben Nachman
Home Town: Omaha, NE
Major: Physics
Graduation Year: 2012

My involvement with the UTA program for the fall '09 semester has been very rewarding. I have had the great opportunity to develop my teaching and critical learning skills in the Teaching and Learning Seminar in addition to developing my team-teaching skills through Faculty/TA team meetings and working directly with graduate students.  Also, I have developed a better understanding of my knowledge of the physics concepts that I helped teach.  Most importantly, I had firsthand experience in the classroom helping students develop their physics knowledge.

Tia Plautz
Hometown: Ocean View, DE
Major: Physics
Graduation Year: 2011

From my participation in the PhysTEC UTA program I have gained the ability to look for and find creative solutions to problems, both in physics and in communication.

Name: Jesse Ru
Hometown: Media, PA
Major: Chemical Education (Minor: Education)
Graduation Year: 2012

I have gained much from the UTA program.  Most memorably is the various techniques to teaching any subject, not just physics.  The use of open questions, argumentation, etc has enhanced my teaching ability greatly.  I loved every part of the teaching seminars and the discussion sections.  My most memorable experience is the time when my Graduate TA allowed me to teach for the whole day.  It was definitely fun and a great learning experience.

Name: Noah Singer
Hometown: Blue Bell, PA
Major: Earth System Science
Graduation: 2012

Through the UTA program I haved learned a lot about helping others learn physics. It is very interesting to look at a classroom from a different perspective and become the teacher. I have not only learned specific techniques to communicate with students in a classroom but also learned ways to convey ideas in many different situations.

Name: Myron Zhang
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Major: Physics and Math
Graduation Year: 2012

The UTA program has given me an introduction to the world of teaching and has made me more aware of the process of learning.