Mrs. Uner is a very large part of Dee-Mack High School and is a big part of why it is such a good establishment today. She has been working at the High School as the Algebra 2 teacher for 10 years and before that worked as an engineer for Blank years. Mrs Uner is also involved in the Student Council as she is one of the leaders alongside Mrs. Putney teaches Stats to seniors. Some of Mrs. Uner’s favorite things include Oreo cookies, The Fighting Illini, and the color purple. Mrs. Uner is not only a math teacher and a huge part of her school but she is also a mom of 2! She enjoys watching End of The World Weather Disaster and her favorite classroom essential is colored expo markers. Get to know Mrs. Uner more through her interview below:
Interview:
Mrs. Uner Interview
How long have you been teaching? When and why did you decide to become a teacher?
Mrs Uner: “I’ve been teaching for 10 years. And I decided to become a teacher because I wanted a better quality of life and to hopefully help students see why we’re going to use math in our lives.”
Have you had any regrets about becoming a teacher since you decided to do it?
Mrs Uner: “No, I haven’t. But this is also my second career. So I chose it on purpose.”
Who inspires you? What makes this person so influential to you?
Mrs Uner: “I think my kids probably inspire me, because now I can see them learn and face challenges and like to overcome them. So getting to see it firsthand and see how they grew up.”
What’s your favorite unit/lesson to teach? Walk us through what it looks like and why you like it so much.
Mrs Uner: “ I think my favorite unit is probably all about quadratic equations. I like that it has some heavy math and calculations involved, but also that there’s the visual piece for kids who don’t quite get the calculations, they can see how it all works and comes together.”
And eventually be able to see a hands-on connection between quadratics and life.
Did you ever use quadratics in your old job or was it something you started liking when you first started teaching it?
Mrs Uner: “I did not use it specifically in my old job, but we used a lot of mathematical models in my old job. So being able to make the connection to real life and using an early mathematical model, I think, is valuable”
What is your favorite memory from your teaching so far?
Mrs Uner: “I had a previous student come to me in person who always struggled with math in high school and came and showed me his college report card that he’d gotten an A in college math/ And I thought that was really cool because he finally realized that he could be successful in a subject he wasn’t as comfortable in.”
What’s something you wish your students knew? What do you think is the most challenging part about getting students to believe in themselves when doing math?
Mrs Uner: “That they can do hard things. And that you don’t always get the problem correct the first time. And actually do the learning in the first place.I think you guys expect instant gratification and being able to do it right the first time. Or trying to like cheat codes and things that are making people understand that there is not always an easier path. You just have to push through it. But anyone can do it if you are motivated and want to try.”
What were you like as a student? And how much of that has changed since you’ve become a teacher?
Mrs Uner: “School came very easy to me. So I didn’t , I was able to get all of my school work done in the school day or in study hall. I still did all my work, but I never really had good study habits until I went to college and then I had to figure it all out. And coupled with being away from home was a challenge. I don’t know that much has changed. I still think I work pretty efficiently in the time given to me because my time at home or my free time is very important to me. So I make the most use of the time I have.”
Have you always liked math as a subject?/ Did you like math when you were a student?
Mrs Uner: “I’ve always liked math as a student since 1st grade. We did multiplication like competitions and those were my happiest moments, even though I saw other people in the back of the class cry about it.”
Finish this statement: If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be…..
Mrs Uner: “An engineer. Because that’s what I was before.”
Why did you choose to be an engineer?
Mrs Uner: “Because I was good at math and science, and my eighth grade math teacher talked me out of being a math teacher.”
What are you like outside of school?
Mrs Uner: “I think I’m probably a lot similar to how I am inside of school. Outgoing, I probably mother too much. I like to read and talk to people and yeah, probably I don’t know that there’d be much difference except I get to wear sweats and a sweatshirt instead.”
What do you spend your time doing outside of school? And what are some of your favorite things to do with your family?
Mrs Uner: “Reading, hanging out with my family, watching movies, and shopping. When I can afford it. We are foodies, so we like to go and find cool restaurants and experience different types of food and cuisine that we can’t make at home.”
Why did you decide to switch careers?
Mrs Uner: “You can’t do everything. So eventually I had to prioritize where I couldn’t be replaced and that was at home and my engineering job was getting to be very travel heavy where I was, I was gone a lot and that wasn’t what I wanted for my family.”
How do you feel about being voted the school mom 2 years in a row? And do you think it reflects your personality at all?
Mrs Uner: “It’s great, I love it. I do. Teaching is more than just the subject. I think it’s teaching you all to be better humans. And if I can help you in that process, I’m really proud of that.”
Other People’s Perspective:
Interview 1: Kadence (Dee-Mack Senior, Previous Student):
What do you think about Mrs. Uner and why do you like her as a teacher?
Kadence: “I think she is a very good teacher, and she actually cares about what he’s telling her students, and she’s there to help us, and she’s just a good role model for the kids.”
Interview 2: Kaleigh (Dee-Mack Junior, Current Student):
What do you think about Mrs. Uner and why do you like her as a teacher?
Kaleigh: “ I think she cares a lot about her students and tries to make a very comfortable environment for her students to learn in.”
Interview 3: Sophia (Dee-Mack Senior, Previous Student):
What do you think about Mrs. Uner and why do you like her as a teacher?
Sophia: “I think Mrs. Uner is a great teacher. She definitely goes out of her way to look out for her students and makes sure we’re all taken care of, whether it’s like schoolwork or not schoolwork, she’s, you know, always there and she’s always one to go to.”
Interview 4: Miss Hammond (Dee-Mack English Teacher, Mrs. Uner Colleague)
What do you think about Mrs. Uner as a fellow staff member?
Miss Hammond: “Mrs. Uner is very much a mom, as much to the teacher, I think, as she is to the students. Before I even met her, I was told that the Italian math teacher down the hall was going to mom me to death when I worked here, and look after me, and she absolutely has. There’s a thing called being a Marigold in teaching, and Marigolds help the other flowers around them grow. And she’s very much that. Especially for me. So she is a huge emotional support, but also, like, talks through every problem I’ve ever had with me, and that’s really helpful, so.. I don’t think I would be who I am today without her as a teacher.”
Mrs. Uner’s Favorites:
- Color: purple
- Song/Artist (right now): pop/ country (no one specific)
- Movie: End of the world weather disaster
- Book: The women- Kristin Hannah
- Sports Team: Fighting Illini
- Thing to Teach: NOT factoring
- Classroom Essential: colored expo markers
- Snack: Oreo cookies
Mrs. Uner is a very important member of our staff and community. She is a leader, an inspiration, and a role model to many students and staff members throughout the district. She is a very welcoming and fun person to be around and will always bring a smile to your face. She enjoys teaching math, being a mom (not just to her 2 sons), watching movies, and going to get food with her family. Mrs. Uner is a very accomplished person and can do anything she sets her mind to. She is a very special staff member to many students and we are very happy to have her as one of the teachers at this school. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Uner!!!
