Faculty Focus is a student life series featuring a faculty member at Coppell High School, rotating by department each week.
Coppell High School math teacher Ming Yang engages students in the classroom and supports them outside. Yang shares her inspirations, student connections and experiences alongside her goals and advice from the 2024-25 school year.
What inspired you to become an educator?
When I was in Texas Woman’s University graduate school, to get my master’s degree in math, I was assigned a teaching assistant job. As a teaching assistant, I had to teach and I had to help the professor teach some of the lessons and at the same time, tutor. I found out, many students need help with math. I felt like I could help somebody, and that I was good at teaching, too. I was a teacher’s assistant and sometimes when I was tutoring, that made me seriously think about being a teacher because I’m good at math, many people need help, and I can explain something so it’s easy for them to understand it. They feel happy and make me happy too. They make me feel like I can make a little impact on somebody.
How would you describe your approach to working with students?
The most important part for me is that I always want to create a positive and engaging classroom for my students. The reason I’m saying to engage my students is that sometimes you’re teaching, but you don’t know if people understand or don’t understand it — it depends on the students. That’s why I think knowing your students is key, and trying to engage your students and create a positive environment for them to feel safe and to learn.
What’s a memorable moment from your time at CHS?
The first year I was here, one of my students invited me to their teacher appreciation night. I felt touched because they said I made a positive impact on their life. He would tell me he’s doing much better and has gained more confidence with math. I went to the football game that night, which was teacher appreciation night and watched my kids outside of the classroom. That night actually changed me, changed my thoughts. You want to see a student as a whole person, not just inside the classroom. You see a different part of the students, you understand them better and you build better relationships, too, so I think that’s very important. I will always remember that.
What do you love most about working at CHS? What are your goals for this school year?
The most important thing I love is the teachers. We have many experienced teachers here, and everybody learns something from each other. If you don’t know something, you always find answers from experienced teachers and there is always somebody who can help you. You can always learn something from each other; I think that’s the most important part. The second part is students. Everybody studies hard and I like the whole school selection. They offer different labels of classes (IB and AP) to meet all the students’ needs. Every year, my goal is to improve my ability to teach math. I’m focusing on using technologies to help engage my students, to learn more, to improve their math skills. I’m trying every possible way to make it easier for the students, using my ability to use technology. The second is that I want to go to all these activities to support my students outside the classroom. Sometimes, I participate in teacher appreciation nights to see their games, to cheer with my students.
What advice would you give to new staff members at CHS?
Try to use all of the school resources here. If you need help, you can go to the learning coach here. They help teachers learn their technologies, how to develop their lessons. Second, I think they should ask if they need help or if they need support. Because we have many experienced teachers here, they are always willing to help you. Reach out to experienced teachers to get help, to get guidance, and to get support. I would also say try to learn new things using technology to help you, and you can always go to a professional environment to learn something new. Learn from each other.
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