“Why I Teach” Brings Real-World Teaching Perspectives to Cal Poly

For those considering a career in teaching or simply wanting to hear from a professional in the field, the School of Education and the Center for Engineering, Science, and Mathematics Education (CESAME) offer a powerful way to learn more and feel inspired.

The “Why I Teach” conversation series, open to the Cal Poly community and the public, features local educators who discuss experiences in the classroom, professional journeys, industry insights and more.

 “Why I Teach,” which started in 2023, takes place approximately twice per quarter. The evening event includes free pizza for attendees who enjoy a relaxed fireside chat, spotlighting a guest educator and Chance Hoellwarth, the director of CESAME.

A question-and-answer segment comes at the end of each event.

“The speakers share their inspiration, dedication, innovation and the rewards of a career in education,” Hoellwarth said. “It’s an incredibly impactful time to be a teacher. This series underscores many of the ways teachers can influence student lives and discover a sense of fulfillment in their work.”

Speakers, most of whom are Cal Poly School of Education (SOE) alumni, come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, serving in PK-12 schools, special education and alternate educational roles.

Conversations lead to anecdotes, discussions about how teachers work successfully with students and colleagues, useful tips about embarking on a career in education and insights into the current climate of education work.

“Why I Teach” guests have included science teachers Ashley Calloway and Samantha Stauch (Tommie Kunst Junior High in Santa Maria); bilingual specialist Gloria Sevilla (Taylor Elementary in Santa Maria), ethnic and gender studies teacher Oscar Velasco (Santa Maria High); Kari Applegate (Cal Poly Preschool Learning Lab); transitional kindergarten instructor Fiona Lloyd-Moffet (Hawthorne Elementary in San Luis Obispo); and many more.

"Why I Teach" presenter Sharmin Eppley, a science
and forensics teacher at Santa Maria High School, with
some of her former students.

“I think Cal Poly students benefit from hearing directly from a current K-12 teacher because it gives them a clearer, more grounded perspective of what to expect beyond coursework,” Calloway said. “For me, the most enjoyable part of the ‘Why I Teach’ experience was connecting with students, answering their questions, and hopefully helping them feel more confident and prepared as they consider a career in education.”

Stauch emphasized to the students the importance of support networks and knowing that teaching can make a long-lasting difference: “Whenever I speak to prospective teachers, it is important to me to express the idea that you do not just teach a certain content, but you teach kids important life skills. When my students comment on my teaching, it is rarely about science. They almost always are expressing appreciation for the positive, consistent, and safe environment I set up in my classroom.”

Paul Soto, a Cal Poly liberal studies major from Paso Robles, California, said he has appreciated hearing about teaching methods and classroom management, as well as answers to the “Why I Teach” question.

“This conversational series has been helpful as a future educator to understand how I can implement some of their teaching strategies into my future classroom and how I can support each student's academic needs,” Soto said.

Maggie Doolittle, a Cal Poly junior transfer student from Pleasant Hill, California, majoring in liberal studies, said that she plans to become an elementary school teacher.

“Teaching is a profession that requires so much dedication it inevitably impacts your life outside of the classroom, which is something we don’t cover much in actual classes,” Doolittle said. “Getting to hear what my life may look like in the future, as someone studying to be a teacher, from real-world professionals in the field has been very inspiring and affirming for me and my education path.”

The event is designed to attract students of any major no matter whether they know they want to pursue careers in education or are just curious.

“If Cal Poly students are looking for inspiration — regardless of their career path — the ‘Why I Teach’ event will not disappoint,” said Megan Guise, director of the School of Education. “Students will leave with a strengthened appreciation for the teaching profession and be energized to pursue their own professional and personal aspirations.”

The next scheduled “Why I Teach” is Thursday, May 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m in the Baker Center (Building 180, Room 120) featuring two local math educators — Robyn Amendola, a 7th grade math instructor at Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo, and Steven Arata, who teaches applied mathematics and algebra at San Luis Obispo High. Both are graduates of Cal Poly’s math single subject credential program.