Faculty Focus is a student life series featuring a faculty member at Coppell High School, rotating by department each week.
Coppell High School AP Calculus BC teacher Alec Bui does not only instruct his students but also strives to connect with them. By engaging in conversation or making bets with his classes, Bui fosters a comfortable learning environment in which students can succeed.
What inspired you to become an educator?
When I was at [University of North Texas], I was pursuing an electrical engineering degree, but I was not very happy with that degree. While in college, I was tutoring a lot of my close friends. That kind of opened my eyes that tutoring was something I really enjoyed doing – working really closely with a learner in that way and helping them achieve something that they could not achieve on their own. My best friend told me, “You’re such a great tutor. That was so easy after you explained it,” after having just one session with him. I liked the feelings associated with that and then when I got to the classroom, it was pretty much set that I knew where I was supposed to be.
How would you describe your approach to working with students?
I am all about getting on the same level or bringing their level up to mine, where we are all just having a conversation. Rather than trying to talk down at them, I like to just be a leader, in a sense. I am being a mentor, but we can also just have a conversation. I am not that much different than my students, and we are just here to help everyone out and talk together.
How was the shift from teaching Algebra II to AP Precalculus to Calculus BC?
It was a major shift. Honestly, it was where I was very comfortable because the math at that point was pretty easygoing. Now, I am at a level where my expertise has to be very high and the expertise of the kids coming in is also very high. So, a lot of high standards come around once you make that transition. Overall, it is a lot of fun, and I think it is a very rewarding position to be in to be able to teach the highest level of math.
What is a memorable moment from your time at CHS?
I love making bets with students. There is one bet where I lost and I ended up getting a tattoo of fourth period: the actual Roman numerals for the number four and “PD” with it to signify that class period and everything that came with it.
What do you love most about working at CHS? What are your goals for this school year?
It is definitely the students, my coworkers and my department. It all ties together as far as what a great working environment is and what a great school this is. Some bigger goals are just getting through the year, as it is my first year teaching AP Calculus BC. There is a lot to learn on my end to make sure I am confident in what I’m doing, especially for many years to come when I will have the proper expertise and hopefully grow from that.
What advice would you give new staff members at CHS?
Take all the expertise that is already available to you. There are plenty of veteran teachers that are here, plenty of people and plenty of resources that you can really tap into if you are ever feeling like you do not know something or you feel like you can grow. There are definitely a lot of places that you can reach out to help you in that regard. Do not be afraid to ask questions and learn from everyone who has been here for so long.
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