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From Math Fear to Math Career
Student Discovers His Potential in Developmental Community
Randal Vela just “kicked algebra’s butt.” That’s how he describes scoring an A in his College Algebra class this past spring. It wasn’t easy though; it took three semesters of developmental math at Austin Community College to achieve it.
Randal Vela
Vela almost didn’t make it past his first semester at ACC though. He had been out of school for a while, so he wasn’t in the habit of studying. And it was hard to stay on top of his assignments and figure out what his professors wanted. “I was like a deer in the headlights – I didn’t know what I was doing.”
Look at him now. Vela is pulling mostly A’s as a full-time student, earning credits toward an education degree – he wants to be a middle-school math teacher – and working as a peer instructor in the developmental learning community where he got his start.
“I can do things I never thought I was capable of,” Vela says.
Put skills in practice
“Randal took the ACC study skills course like many students do,” says Professor Frank Cronin, associate professor of developmental writing. “One big difference between him and other students is that he has worked hard to put those skills into practice.”
One thing Vela learned is success comes from making the right choices. “You got a party to go to this weekend? What’s your best move: Finish your homework and go to the party, or go to the party and do your homework at 3 a.m. when it’s due Monday at 8 a.m.? You have to think about those things.”
I constantly talk to my teachers. ‘How am I doing?’ ‘What else is coming?’
When Vela’s assessment scores fell below college level for math and writing, he registered for “Intersections,” a learning community that connects three developmental education courses: Writing Skills I (DEVW 1403), Basic Math (MATD 0330), and Basic Study Skills (DSSK 0012). For one semester, he attended Intersection classes with a common group of students co-taught by Cronin and Math Associate Professor Don Lavigne.
“The first time I got a college report card, I had four A’s on it; I started bawling,” Vela recalls. “That was the start of my success.”
This past spring, he became the Intersections peer instructor, attending classes and helping other students learn what it takes to be successful in college. Vela also took classes that will count toward a teaching degree at Texas State University in San Marcos.
His schedule kept him busy, but his new time management and organizational skills helped.
Outside study time
“I had about 18 hours a week of class, and I spent about 36 to 48 hours of study,” he recalls. “I carried all my stuff with me and set up study times; there were no variables where I couldn’t get things done.”
Along with procrastination, Vela says, his toughest challenge is self-doubt. “I deal with that on a daily basis. If you were never good enough for 20 years, it’s hard to get out of that hole.”
His hardest class so far has been U.S. History I, where he struggled to earn a B. “Now I go to my professors and ask to see an old test so I have a better idea what kind of questions to expect on their tests.”
As a peer instructor, Vela coaches his students on the importance of connecting with professors. “I constantly talk to my teachers. ‘How am I doing?’ ‘What else is coming?’ I had a comp teacher who terrified me, but I sat down with her, too, and by the end of the semester I had learned a lot.”
Vela understands that he is a role model for his students, Cronin says. “If he is helping them to learn and pass, then he has to do the same.”
The ACC student looks forward to someday running his own middle-school classroom, and he hopes to take the technical jargon out of math and make it more understandable for kids.
“I’m not here just to become a teacher. I want to make a difference for others,” he says.
24 Responses to “From Math Fear to Math Career”
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Splash,
Your light is shining bright, and I am very proud of you. I have always known how bright and passionate you are. It thrills me to know that you are on the pathway to becoming a phenonemal teacher. You touch the lives of those around you, and I know that you will be an incredible blessing to your future students. Congratulations! xox Michele
Your story is inspiring. Great job!
Hey Splash
Awesome to hear your story and Congratulatins on all your success!! You will make a great teacher and mentor. You have the gift of connecting with that age group. My son Tristan and nephew enjoyed your company before the Phi Theta Kappa inductions.
Have a good summer hope to see you soon!!
Melissa Wilsob
Great job Splash!
Hey splash, I am very inspired from your story and I too struugle with math. I would love to chat with you more on how you overcame your fears in math and study skills.
SPLASH! This is such an inspirational story. WAY TO GO! Im glad to hear that you are still doing so well! Good luck on everything in the future!
So very awesome, Splash! ACC and the community are very appreciative of your service and support! You are such a great person inside and out, and you have so much to give. I am truly honored to have volunteered with you though our Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa. I can’t wait to work with you next semester.
You rock, Splash! I couldn’t be prouder of you. I’m even more proud to call you friend. Keep up the outstanding work buddy!
Great job Splash!! You rock!
Go Splash!! Great job!! I am so proud of you! You rock!!
Splash, it has been great knowing you snice i have started at acc. You have been one of my biggest fans, and I of yours. You have supported through it all and never gave up on me. For that I am truly thankful. You are a great peer, helper, assister, friend and most importantly perso to be around and make life worth living. You always see the positive in everything that you and others do. Thank just for living man you are truly a special and amazing person. I love you as friend and a person who is commnitted to learning daily. It is an honor to be around you.
Splash, Way to go brother!!! You really do practice what you preach. You have always been there when fellow classmates need help & want to study. Not only were you always ready to hit the books, you remained very active in Phi Theta Kappa and convinced me to better prioritize my own schedule enabling me to attend more events! Congrats bro and I know you will be an amazing teacher!!
Hey Splash,
You are awesome! You have turned you life around and will be a great teacher. We are all proud and grateful to have you in Phi Theta Kappa.
I am so proud of you Splash! I just happened to see your photo cross the front page of the ACC website and voila! You really are inspirational not only for your perseverance but also for your attitude. I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to get to know you.
wow! now I dont feel so bad retaking my intermediate algebra course for the second time! kudos, homie, kudos!!
Splash, keep up the good work. You inspire people to work hard and be succesful.
Way to go Splash! You carry a heavy load yet you do so much to give back to the community. Phi Theta Kappa appreciates everything you do for us…a true servant leader.
Great Job Splash, Phi Theta Kappa is proud to call you one of our own
Way to go Splash! Keep up the good work bro!
I do not know you personally, but your story is an inspiration. We need more stories like yours which will help everyone realize that the potential to achieve is in us all. Don’t give up! Achieve!
The one thing in life that we can try to do is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Randal, you are well on your way to making that difference. Be proud of yourself and keep the good work up!!!!! We love you!
Love it!
I grew up with Randy and I am proud that he is making a difference not only in his life but in the lives of the community as well.Congratulations,Randy it looks like were both on the same track to providing contributions that will make a difference. Go Celtics…
Good job dude! You deserve it Splash!