Bronco Spotlight: Michael Buhler
Masters of Arts in teaching, education, 2016
Mathematics Teacher at Bonneville Joint School District No 93, Idaho Falls, Idaho
I am the Dual Credit College Algebra teacher at the brand new Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls Idaho. I work with students to earn college credit in mathematics at the College of Eastern Idaho.
What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is making a difference in the lives of my students. Seeing students make progress step by step in spite of their struggles and obstacles is the best thing in the world. The most challenging part of the job is removing all of the personal and societal obstacles that get in the way of our students achieving their potential.
What activities, resources, or people helped you prepare for your career?
The biggest thing that helped me prepare for my career was to get in a classroom as early as possible and as often as possible. I began tutoring and teaching classes at college my freshman year. By my junior year I was working part time in a charter school teaching and tutoring at-risk students. I then did a twelve-week internship for my undergrad and a year-long internship for my masters. You learn more from one day in a classroom working with students than you do in a while semester of classes. Get in the classroom and spend time with students! It's the best way to learn to teach.
What advice would you offer students to help them decide on a career path?
Find something you love and stick with it. If you hate your job you will be miserable and your job performance will suffer. If you love your job, every day will be a joy and you won't feel like you have worked at all. Sure there will be some challenges and struggles but if you love it you stick with it and you make it through. Also find a way to make work fun everyday. If you are doing something you love you can make everyday enjoyable with a good attitude and a bit of planning.