On Friday, May 14th, the first MAT@USC cohort participated in the 2010 Master’s Commencement Ceremony. This week we’ll be showcasing some of these remarkable graduates.
Anita Singh
Washington, DC
Anita is the eldest of four children and she spent her childhood in Wayne, New Jersey. She graduated from Wayne Hills High School in 2005 and then spent four years at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. In May 2009, she graduated with a double major in International Affairs and Anthropology and with a double minor in Spanish and Psychology. Anita fell in love with Washington, DC and decided to stay there after graduation. She has an obsession with cupcakes, running, the beach, and cherry blossoms.She is a founding sister of the DC Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi at GW and she helped to put on two of the largest intercollegiate dance competitions in the country, Bhangra Blowout and Raas Chaos. She is also proud to be a member of USC’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
Q&A
Why did you want to become a teacher?
One of the reasons I want to become a teacher is because of my mom. My mom was my first teacher and she showed me the impact that one person can have on someone’s life. Another reason why I want to become a teacher is because of the experience I had as a part of the inaugural Urban Education Leaders Internship Program (UELIP). I learned from my colleagues, Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and the central office staff of DC Public Schools that teachers play a critical role in reforming the education system. Their dedication to making sure that every child in the nation’s capital receives a quality education influenced me to want to be one of those teachers that brings change to Washington, DC.
Why did you chose the MAT@USC?
Upon graduation from GW, I was presented with many different paths to become a teacher. One of the reasons why I chose the MAT@USC is because of the innovative online learning community. The ability to attend classes with students and faculty from around the country and from around the world seemed incredible to me. Another reason is because of the emphasis on student academic achievement regardless of socioeconomic background. I really wanted a teacher preparation program that focused on maximizing student learning and specifically addressed problems of practice in the education world. Finally, being a part of the Trojan family even from across the country made me choose the MAT@USC program. Fight on!
What is the most valuable learning experiences you are taking away from the program?
One of the most valuable learning experiences I am taking away from the program is being able to utilize technology to enhance student learning in the classroom and to collaborate and communicate with fellow MAT@USC students. The other valuable learning experience is the ability to really look closely at the social context of schools and the communities that schools are a part of.
What are your future teaching plans?
I have recently accepted a job offer to be a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Marie Reed Elementary School in Washington, DC. It is an exciting time to be an educator in DC Public Schools and I look forward to the upcoming academic school year! My long term goal is to earn my Ph.D. or Ed.D and to take on a leadership role in an urban school district.
