summer working in the Engineering Process, Automation &. Tools (EPAT) department in VCE's Santa Clara office. As a t
VoiCE Around the Block S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 i ssue
Interview with Carole Ng
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s is so often the case, most of us tend to romanticize about the summer months as a time for relaxation and rejuvenation. But if you’re Carole Ng, you see summertime as an opportunity for taking on new and interesting challenges. That’s why this dedicated wife, mother of two and math and computer science teacher chose to spend her down time this summer working in the Engineering Process, Automation & Tools (EPAT) department in VCE’s Santa Clara office. As a teacher of grades 9-12 at Santa Teresa High School in San Jose, California, Carole has always had a knack for how to get around computers. With a background that includes extensive experience in IT, Carole found herself intrigued by the prospect of passing along her own insight and understanding to students of all ages. In essence, Carole has a genuine love of learning that she enjoys sharing. It’s lucky for VCE that the Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME) gives teachers, like Carole, the opportunity to come aboard for the summer. As an organization, IISME gets its sponsorship from a host of companies, which in turn provides opportunities for educators to act as primary agents for affecting meaningful change within their school systems. Teachers are then able to transfer the skills they acquire in their chosen industry to the students in their classroom. Educators can also inspire more students to get involved with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program (STEM) by sharing their experiences learned during their summer fellowships. Since Carole’s arrival in early June, she’s gained a wealth of knowledge, often times shadowing her mentor, Kenny Paul, who’s made it a point to keep Carole busy learning new and important skills. “Undoubtedly this program will help me to be a better teacher, which hopefully will result in my students achieving more in the classroom.” In fact, when asked what she looks forward to imparting most, Carole replied, “holding my students more accountable for their own deliverables.” That idea was born out of having witnessed the strong work ethic among the folks she works closely with here at VCE. She adds, “so often I notice my students are distracted by outside influences, keeping them from accomplishing what’s asked of them.” She continued, “I’ve been impressed by the collective drive of the people I work with here. And I’d like very much for my students to adopt that same philosophy of having to be mindful of deadlines and responsibilities – without me having to constantly remind them. In the long run I know it will prepare them for what’s to come.” Carole has also expressed real interest in getting her students to live by “21st Century Skills.” These are skills that challenge people to collaborate with others and connect through technology – imperative for excelling in this knowledge-based world we now live in. In fact, in Carole’s Algebra II class she’s opened her students’ eyes to the beauty of excel, helping them to work with more efficiency when tackling tedious assignments.
Carol Ng and manager/mentor Kenny Paul “With the time that I’ve spent here and the knowledge that another school year is fast approaching, I’m really excited about getting back into the classroom and explaining to my students what VCE is responsible for, what a Vblock System is, and how the product line allows for more business innovation and less management of IT infrastructure.” It’s also Carole’s hope that her time spent at VCE will give her students a glimpse into something other than required textbook reading. “I get tremendous satisfaction from watching my students really understand something that’s being taught to them, especially the ones who might not have initially grasped a subject matter, but then all of a sudden do. That, to me, is worth all the money in the world.” Carole went on to say, “VCE’s choice to participate in the IISME program is an excellent one. They’re not only helping teachers, like me, learn about the tech industry, but they’re also creating more awareness around the importance of the STEM program in our educational system. That alone is incredibly important exposure.” Thanks to teachers like Carole Ng, it’s VCE that benefits the most. As a caring and dedicated teacher who’s gone above and beyond, all for the benefit of educating her students, it’s Carole who becomes a most valuable evangelist to the ongoing advancement of VCE. 5
