Meet Kathy Kubo, a 2019 - 2021 HS & TYC Fellow! Kathy is currently a professor at College of the Canyons, where she teaches introductory statistics courses, both with and without corequisite support. Kathy received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UC Berkeley and a Master's in Mathematics from UCLA.
Where did you first fall in with statistics?
I fell in love with statistics at College of the Canyons during the summer of 2012. On an early Sunday morning before our summer session began, my colleague called me and said, “I have a crazy idea.” Within minutes, he convinced me to teach a short-term introductory statistics course for the first time and mentored me everyday that summer. He helped me develop an appreciation and passion for statistics that I had completely missed as a student.
What made you choose statistics as a profession?
Statistics combines my interests and work experience in business, mathematics, technology, and writing. I do wish I had been more open to statistics while I was trying to choose an area of specialization for graduate school. My advisor’s husband was a statistician -- a missed opportunity!
What is your go-to source for data?
My go-to source for data is my brother, a retired biotechnology professor who has been learning data science online.
What is your favorite teaching technique?
My favorite teaching technique is to move away from timed exams and towards projects, presentations and written reflections on their learning. I also like to incorporate student choice into those assignments as an opportunity for students to share their interests and passions with their classmates.
In general, my assessments now place less emphasis on exams and more on group projects, presentations and written student reflections on their learning.
What project are you working on for the Section Fellowship?
With the generous support of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, our team of facilitators led by Dr. Roxy Peck provided a series of workshops to deepen statistical understanding and introduce best practices in pedagogy related to the teaching of introductory statistics.
We designed these workshops primarily for mathematics faculty who have very limited formal training and/or experience with statistics. Additionally, to develop leadership capacity within our system, we have established a group of community college mathematics faculty who co-facilitate with Dr. Peck at each workshop.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to teaching statistics?
Find a group of faculty or even one colleague to meet with regularly to share and discuss teaching practices. Attend USCOTS and connect with others at the conference. The statistics education community is one of the most welcoming and supportive groups I’ve encountered as an educator.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Salsa dancing, surfing, going to music concerts, traveling for unique dining experiences, and pruning Japanese maples and black pines.
If you have a section member you'd like to nominate for an upcoming Meet a Member profile, please email Maria Tackett.
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