The summer of 2024 was my first real experience teaching and consistently standing in front of more than 20 people, explaining ideas and leading activities. While I had some experience with peer tutoring—and, of course, having younger siblings teaches you a thing or two about managing a group—being a STEM ambassador last summer was a unique and transformative experience.
My co-ambassador and I faced several challenges, including a shortage of materials, student behavior issues, and moments of disengagement with the content. Despite these obstacles, we pushed through with perseverance. I was fortunate to work alongside a second-year ambassador who not only supported me but also shared helpful strategies that made a big difference. I learned so much from that summer—about leadership, adaptability, and how to guide a classroom in a way that keeps students engaged and excited about STEM.