Mr. Juan Contreras is a new teacher at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School who provides additional math instruction for students. He often works with students in small groups, but he also assists teachers with math lessons in their classrooms.
Here are a few things to help you get to know Mr. Contreras:
What is your role here at the Hudson City School District, and where do you work?
I am a math AIS teacher at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School. “AIS” stands for Academic Intervention Services.
When did you start working in the district?
This is my first year!
What does your job entail?
I teach math to small groups of children spanning four different grade levels. I also push in
to classes to assist other teachers with math lessons.
What do you like most about your job?
I love seeing students become better at something that they’ve had difficulty with in the
past.
What is your education background?
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Education at SUNY New Paltz.
What is your background like – previous jobs?
Prior to working at HCSD, I spent the last two years working for a Chinese education firm
teaching English to children in China. This was done via Skype.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of school.
My favorite things to do are travel and spend time with my girlfriend, family, and dogs. I have
a huge interest in history and culture, which is a big reason why I like to travel so much. I also
like to read fiction and non-fiction. There is a wide variety of topics I like to read about,
ranging from the American frontier to finance.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
Be patient!
What is your motto or personal mantra?
Not a motto or a personal mantra, but I like this quote by Ben Franklin: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”