Margarita Yñiguez Aceves
I grew up in Tulare, CA, located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, as the oldest daughter of two immigrant parents. Being the first child of parents with minimal schooling wasn't easy, as significant barriers often arose due to my parents' limited English proficiency and functional literacy. Nevertheless, my family always provided support and helped me recognize the privileges associated with receiving an education. These experiences instilled in me an appreciation and love for education.
I attended and graduated from Tulare Western High School as part of the class of 2018. It was during my time there that my love for math grew, along with my belief in myself and my desire to be a catalyst for change—a person who believes in and cares for their students at all costs. I owe much of this transformation to the guidance of Mrs. Berg and Ms. McGuire.
Subsequently, I enrolled in the M2S2 program at Fresno State. This program not only provided financial support but also challenged me and introduced me to valuable mentoring opportunities. I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics focused on Teaching through this program and learned to be a mentor to students in my community. I also embraced teaching through roles such as an Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) and participation in programs like Math Circle, CSM, and Math Mentoring.
These experiences eventually led me to discover the Noyce and BMATTC program at Santa Clara University. I graduated with my Masters in Teaching, a Single Subject Mathematics Teaching Credential, and a Bilingual Certificate. This journey has equipped me with the knowledge and passion to make a difference in the lives of my students and my community.
Mariella Beltran
I’m a Native Californian and grew up in the Bay Area. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Mathematics from University of California Irvine and my Masters and Credential from Santa Clara University. Even though math is often frowned upon in school, it was my favorite subject. I liked it because it was clear when there was something right or wrong. I could always check my answers and find a solution that works which brought me joy. As a teacher, I hope to model a strong work ethic for my students as I believe it's a critical skill in today's working world. Some of my favorite animals and hobbies are my pet snail and beta fish, rock climbing, working out at the gym, and listening to music.
Miguel Garcia
I was born in Central Mexico, and when I was 12 years old, my family and I migrated to Salinas Valley in 1988. It was then that we embarked on a pursuit of the American ideal, which, for my parents, meant that I would be able to pursue higher education and become a professional in some specialized field. I chose to attend UC Davis and pursue a career in Physics, specifically laser research. After completing my B.S. in quantum optics, I soon realized that the radiation emitted by the lasers I was building while working for the U.S. Government in a national laboratory was putting my health in grave danger. I decided to pause my research and teach for a year. That year of sabbatical has turned into over a decade of various roles and assignments in the educational field. While teaching, I observed a significant need for math teachers, particularly in low socioeconomic communities. It is for this reason that I am teaching math to promote math awareness among youth, especially in applied math fields like engineering (robotics), coding, sports, and new technologies.
Steve (Brad) Gospe
I was born in Philadelphia but grew up in Santa Rosa, California. I graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Physics and earned an MS from Stanford in Applied Physics. Additionally, I hold a single-subject teaching credential in Mathematics from Santa Clara University.
Why math? I faced challenges in my earlier years, prior to college, which fueled my desire to help students realize that everyone can excel in math. With over thirty years of experience in the engineering industry, I currently teach Integrated Math 1 and engineering classes to 9-12th grade students at Westmont High School.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing classical piano, practicing karate, horseback riding, hiking, and making wine. I also teach karate to adults once a week and plan to support the robotics club at Westmont High School in the future. I am the proud parent of two adult children and happily married to my wife of many years. Unsurprisingly, everyone in my family is involved in some field of engineering or technology.
Justin Happ
I'm from the Bay Area, born and raised. I earned my BA in Government Studies with a minor in German from Lawrence University. I continued my studies at San Francisco State University, earning an MA in Economics. Later, I pursued an MA in Teaching at Santa Clara University and a Mathematics Teaching Credential. Why Mathematics? It's everything—it explains things, serves as mental scaffolding, and gives the brain a good workout. Outside academics, I'm into coaching water polo, swimming, and helping out with the AMC Math Competition. I also advise the Class of 2026, Business Club, and Choreo Club at Lawrence University. Some of my hobbies include bouldering, cars, music, and enjoying the simple pleasures of peanut butter, curry, and Steph Curry games.
Jessica Hom
I graduated with my Master's in Teaching and a Single Subject Mathematics Teaching Credential from Santa Clara University. My bachelor's degree is in Biological Sciences from Chapman University, where I focused on molecular biology, human anatomy, and leadership development. Currently, I teach 6th Grade Mathematics in San Jose, California, and I am honored to be part of a program committed to improving students' mathematics learning opportunities and promoting equitable education.
My love for education began when I worked as a leadership coach and operations intern during summer academies. As a coach, I was dedicated to developing students' perceptions of themselves and their awareness of their attitudes and actions. I also adapted the curriculum to online learning platforms at the start of the pandemic. While times may continue to change, as they did then, my desire to educate the whole person and teach students to honor their full potential will undoubtedly remain the same.
Mayra Muñoz
I'm originally from Watsonville, California, a small town known for its strawberries and agriculture. My college journey began at Holy Names University, located in Oakland, where I spent my first two years. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for becoming a math teacher. Working with teenagers in this community showed me the profound impact a good mentor can have on someone's life. I learned valuable lessons from these students about their strength, capabilities, and extraordinary potential when given an opportunity. Inspired by this experience, I made the decision to change my major and transfer to UC Davis to earn my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics with the goal of becoming a teacher.
I was determined to work with students of color, particularly Latinx students who were first-generation and from low-income backgrounds. This choice was deeply personal as I come from this community and understand the need for support to access higher education. My journey led my family and me to San Jose, where I now have the privilege of working at Yerba Buena High School. Here, I teach Integrated Math 2 and Exploring Computer Science. Additionally, I serve as the Varsity Volleyball coach, JV Soccer Coach, and MESA advisor.
Daniel Pham
I grew up in San Jose, California, and earned my degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself contemplating my career path, as I hadn't had the best experiences in the tech industry. Fortunately, I was presented with an opportunity to serve as a long-term substitute teacher at Milpitas High School, where I taught Algebra 1 to students with special needs. Initially, it was challenging, but I valued every moment of the experience.
Teaching required me to think creatively and find innovative ways to simplify math concepts for my students. I also learned how to connect with them and become a trusted adult figure in their lives. When my long-term substitute position ended, I was certain that I wanted to pursue a career in education. I applied to various credentialing programs and was fortunate to be accepted into Santa Clara University under the NOYCE Scholarship. Currently, I teach Math II (Geometry) and Math III (Algebra 2) at Milpitas High School.
Mark Ramos
I was born in Ventura and raised in Oxnard where I attended both public and private schools until I graduated from Oxnard High School in 2012. From there, I continued my education at California Lutheran University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2020. I spent the 2020-2021 school year working as a substitute teacher for the Hueneme Elementary School District. It was throughout my time as a substitute teacher that I came to realize how truly rewarding a career in education could be. While I was never in a teaching assignment for long, I would strive to create positive relationships with the students that I met. It was during this time that I learned about the Noyce program offered at Santa Clara University, which I applied for, and earned my Master’s degree in Education and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics in 2022. Since then, I have been working to clear my credential by working as a middle school mathematics teacher in the school district neighboring the community that I grew up in. When I am not teaching, I can be found playing music and taking advantage of the beachside hiking trails that are local to me.
Julieta Segura
I was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in West Covina, a suburb of LA. I attended West Covina public schools, and after graduating from high school, I enrolled in community college. It was during this time that I struggled to find a career path. While juggling various jobs and college courses, I realized that I felt most fulfilled when working with students. Witnessing their growth as math learners was incredibly rewarding.
This realization led me to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. During my time at CPP, I had the privilege of taking a course taught by Dr. Robin Wilson called "Math Literacy, Access, and Culture." In this course, I learned about the vital role mathematics plays in addressing the challenges faced by underserved populations. Inspired by this, I became involved with Pomona Hope, where we created a math workshop aimed at developing students' confidence as math learners and showing them that math could be enjoyable. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in math education.
Shortly afterwards, Dr. Wilson introduced me to the Noyce Fellowship at Santa Clara University. After learning about their mission, I knew it was a perfect fit. Being a Noyce Fellow and graduating from SCU has equipped me with the tools I need to pursue my goals – to 'go forth and set the world on fire with competence, conscience, compassion, and math!'
Currently, I teach 8th-grade math at Wiltsey Middle School in Ontario, California. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading by the pool, going on walks, and learning about sustainability. I hope to use my experiences to enrich my students' learning and eagerly look forward to learning from them.
Valerie Tu
I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, where I then went to UC Davis for my Bachelor’s in Data Science. I worked briefly in the tech industry before returning to education as a Noyce Fellow at Santa Clara University to pursue my true passion for teaching mathematics. I received my Master’s in Teaching at Santa Clara and I currently teach Integrated Math 3 Stem and Statistics at Westmont High School in Campbell, CA.
I realized my calling to become a teacher very early on in life because I was fortunate to have such great mentors at school and saw how important it was that the adults in my life were supportive, and challenged me towards constant improvement. In math specifically, my goal is to integrate financial and media literacy into our math education. I previously taught at Yerba Buena High School in San Jose, CA, where I learned how students can challenge the status quo by using math as a sword to prove and fight injustices in their communities, while using their newfound literacy as a shield to prevent them from falling deeper into the systemic injustices that threaten their community.
In my free time, I enjoy playing PC games, watching mystery and crime shows, and embroidery! At work, I can typically be found in my classroom prepping for the next lesson, or advising the Bracelets for Friends Club.