Ivonne Grunseich

When you were younger did you always want to become a teacher? Especially a math teacher?

Yes. I did know pretty early on that I wanted to become a math teacher. My first real job when I was fourteen was as an educator at an aquarium. From then on I kind of knew that I wanted to go into the educational field.

Can you tell me about a teaching experience that stood out to you?

I think I’ll always go back to this past summer. I was working at this sleep-away summer program in Norton, and the kids came from all around the world. We had kids from Shanghai, Hong Kong, different parts of Brazil, France and all these European countries. It was just really interesting to see how different people learn and to teach people from so many different cultures. I think that experience teaching at that summer program really opened my eyes to the diversity of students. There are so many ways students learn and interpret things. It was interesting to serve them in any way I could.

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?

I think my favorite thing to do was anything water related. I’m from Long Island, New York so there were a lot of beaches. My parents had a marina, so we would do a lot of boating and fishing.

What are your favorite things to do on the weekend when you have free time and you aren’t grading papers?

I still like going to Boston College football games. I used to be in the marching band, so I also go to support them. It’s always fun going to the games and seeing my old friends. I know some people still in college in the band so it’s nice.

If you could give advice to your younger self what would you say?

I would definitely say have more fun. I spent a lot of time sort of just like in the bubble of the marching band and math so I didn’t really do much in college. I would definitely tell myself to get out more and have some fun and not stress as much. Because it all works out in the end and it may seem difficult at times but it’ll work itself out.