Wave-Maker Spotlight: Vitalis Obidi
Over the past few months, we have been posting profiles on the amazing alumni that have come out of the Making Waves College and Alumni Program. These profiles are meant to both highlight our inspiring alumni and support young professionals in understanding their own career path. If you have questions for us or our alumni, please post them below.
Today, the spotlight is on a conversation that we had with Vitalis Obidi, a 1st Waver from our old San Francisco Education Program, a graduate of Santa Clara University and the University of the Pacific, and current middle school math teacher with Aspire Public Schools. We want to proudly announce that Vitalis just earned a position as a certified 7th grade math teacher in Richmond, CA with Aspire Cal Prep Academy. Congratulations Vitalis!
Describe your career path. What experiences provided insight along the way? Was your career path straight and planned, did you stumble into it, or was it somewhere in between?
Although I have been working in education for a few years, it wasn't until my summer internship in the Santa Clara County supervisor’s office that I realized that I wanted to be in a classroom. After figuring that out, I applied to any position where I could work in a school. This led me to being an after-school staff member, an AmeriCorps member (City Year) who worked in the classroom and in after-school programming, and then taking on some substitute positions. I went from one position to another to reach my goal of becoming a middle school math teacher. This process gave me great experience but also allowed me to see which path to certification would be financially sustainable. Fortunately, I connected with a recruiter for the Aspire Teacher Residency and I am now a 6th grade math Resident at Berkeley Maynard Academy with Aspire Public Schools.
What advice do you give to those interested in your field and type of work? Are there any experiences and skills that you recommend them working on while in college?
If anyone is interested in going into education or teaching I would highly recommend that they do something low stakes first like volunteering or AmeriCorps to get some experience and understand if it is for you. There were a couple folks in my teacher residency program who did not have classroom experience until they started the residency and they are no longer in the program because of the high challenge level. Also, know that you probably have more experience than you think - whether it’s working with data or being a leader. Many skills and strengths apply somehow into education.
What general advice do you have for college students still trying to understand their path?
For those still in college, take your time and really soak it in. You will miss college after you graduate and realize how much of a bubble college really was. Try new things so that when you do graduate, you have a better sense of what you like or don’t like. Also, start gaining real world experience.
If you could give a piece of advice to your college self, what would it be?
I remember just wanting to graduate college for the sake of graduating and getting college over with – at that time in my life I didn’t understand that participating in a club or activity would serve me down the line. I would tell my college self to be more purposeful with my decisions. I know that earlier I advised to be in the moment and not rush the experience, but young people should also think about the future.
Did you or do you currently have a mentor? How did they support you personally and/or professionally?
A big reason for my current success has been the mentors I’ve had along my path. These have been my direct and indirect supervisors and my current Mentor Teacher. The great thing about having a mentor is the two-way benefit. I gained knowledge, feedback and support, and my mentors get to stay on their A-game by best supporting me and staying sharp.
What are your career dreams you have for yourself over the next 5-10 years?
The next thing I want in my career is to be asked to become a Mentor Teacher. I think it’s the ultimate compliment and testament of a teacher when they are asked to mentor and prepare another teacher for the position. I have a ways to go, but that’s my current aim.
Looking for more inspiration from our Wave-Makers - check these Wave-Maker Spotlights out!
6th-12th Grade Principal
7 年Congratulations, Vitalis--so proud of you! I wish my daughter could have had you as a teacher, but she missed you by a year. Stay in touch!