Student Profiles

student profileMichael Browning ’11
Mathematics-Secondary Education

I decided to major in math secondary ed because math was a subject that always came pretty easy to me. I find math to be fun and challenging. I always liked the fact in math you can get the answer, its not an opinion or a guess/estimate like in other majors its right or wrong. I would have to say my grade school teacher Sr. Judith really inspired me to become a math teacher. She was my honors math teacher for 5-6 years and she really helped developed my math skills and love math.  My other academic interests are physics and computers. I have taken a few classes in each area and really have developed an appreciation for these two fields and could see myself maybe one day also pursuing a career in one of those areas.

I began my college career at Holy Family. I really like the class sizes and the 1 on 1 attention you can get with your professors. They are always readily available if you need any help or have a question. The faculty can get to know you and work with you individually to help you maximize your potential. Also, Holy Family has a good reputation for its education program.  That was a plus.

The program offers a nice variety of math courses to study, and it is very easy to find a class you will like. We also have a lot of fun in the various clubs we have on campus with Pigers (the math club) and Kappa Mu Epsilon (the math honor society).  At Holy Family I am the president of the math honor society, as well as a member of the math club. I also participate in intramural football/basketball.

After I graduate I am planning on working towards my masters degree in math while teaching in a high school. My goal is to be a math professor one day.

student profileJacqueline Gallelli ’11
Mathematics-Secondary Education

I always wanted to be a teacher. I was always really good at math and enjoyed it. In high school I had a teacher who encouraged me and said that I would make a great math teacher. Many people say that math is boring, but I want to show students that math can be just as fun as other classes.

I chose Holy Family because it is well-known for its education programs. One thing I especially like are the small class sizes. You are able to get to know the professors and other students in class. The faculty is always there to help when you need it and keep you on track to graduate on time. Also, there is a lot to get involved in such as clubs, honor societies and volunteer opportunities. At Holy Family I am active in the math club, and the math honor society and the education honor society. In my junior year I was active in Ed Connections. This year I serve as a mentor to seventh and eighth grade students in an after school mathletes program at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in South Philadelphia.

After graduation I plan on obtaining a teaching position and later a master’s degree, possibly in special education.

student profileAlyssia Overline ’11
Mathematics-Secondary Education

I have always liked math since I was in grade school.  When I was in fifth grade, my class was the first to be offered an honors math program and I was one of five students selected to be in the advanced class.  I enjoyed my math classes in high school.  While in high school, it dawned on me that math is usually not a young students’ favorite subject so I wanted to try and change opinions about math.  When I am a teacher I plan to make math educational and enjoyable!

I am a math secondary education major so besides math I am also very interested in my education courses.  I had one class on issues in special education that I found extremely interesting.  I want to learn more about special education.  I chose Holy Family because it was close to my home and I did not want to travel far to school.  I was also attracted to the wonderful education program Holy Family has. 

I like studying math at Holy Family because the class sizes are very small.  I know I will always be able to get extra help from my professors  when I need it.  I also like how friendly everyone in my program is.  I like my classmates as well as my professors.  The math club and math national honor society are also very beneficial at Holy Family.

After graduation, I plan on getting a job teaching middle school or high school math.  I want to be a teacher who makes learning fun.  I also plan on getting a master’s degree in special education.