"Hello! My name is Mr. Juarez or just Erny. I started my physics journey like many of you will with my graduation from Citrus Hill High School in Southern California in 2015. In 2019, I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Physics specializing in Astrophysics. In my time at UCI, I tried to be a part of a variety of programs and work study positions. I mentored college freshman who were physics bound in the program called Resonance. At the Dept. of Education , I assisted in data acquisition with Excel and reviewed semester reports of various students while giving written positive feedback (to see the effects of it). Additionally, I have extensive experience teaching/tutoring various subjects but especially physics from my time at UCI in the Department of Education, Department of Physics & Astronomy as well as the Learning & Academic Resource Center (LARC).

I genuinely love to see when my students have that 'Aha!' moment when working with their peers but even more so, when they *question* as to what is happening. It shows commitment and integrity when a student admits to themselves that they don't understand a topic and ask for help. I truly believe that learning is all about these moments more so than the 'Aha!' moments.

Physics is one the most difficult topics to grasp and I hope that all my students feel like they can always come to me with any questions they might have. The main characteristics I strive for in my classroom are for my students to want to come to class everyday and participate. I believe the way to do this, is include technology, labs(group projects), and open fair discussion in the class. But more importantly so, a safe and welcoming environment where students feel *truly* comfortable engaging in the content. That… is where true learning happens." less...