Judy Song's Fieldwork Portfolio Homepage
Judy (Su Yong) Song's Biography
Judy Song is a product of the California public education system. As an immigrant, her passion has revolved around the celebration of her immigrant identity and a want to celebrate these identities in others as well. With immigrant experiences and public education in tow, she attended UCI as a mathematics major.
During her college career, she was involved in CalTeach, which is an on-campus organization that provides STEM majors with student teaching opportunities in low-income schools in Santa Ana. She enjoyed working with students whom she felt connected to because her own student experiences somewhat paralleled theirs. After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, she went on to pursue a Masters of Arts in Teaching and a Secondary Mathematics Teaching Credential at USC. She was also invited to join Math for America Los Angeles, and was a Teaching Fellow from 2008-2013 and is now a Master Teacher Fellow. She is also currently working toward a Masters in Education and Tier 1 Administrative Services Credential from UCLA.
Judy began her teaching career at Abraham Lincoln Senior High School in the Lincoln Heights community of East Los Angeles. There she taught a variety of 9th-12th grade mathematics courses including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Algebra Readiness, and a CAHSEE Preparation class. After being displaced, she decided she wanted to take a chance at teaching middle school students. She is now teaching 6th grade Math, 7th grade Math, and Advanced Placement Calculus at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES). Throughout her teaching career, her fellowship with Math for America Los Angeles has helped her stay current in the mathematics teaching community. She is passionate about making mathematics fun, exciting, and approachable to students of any age. She has been able to share successful practices through speaking opportunities at the regional and national mathematics conferences. Additionally, she enjoys working with pre-service teachers and hosts student teachers in her room every year.
Judy wants to continue being a part of the mathematics teaching and education communities after completing her Administrative Services Credential.
School Profile
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) is a California Distinguished, 6th-12th grade, LAUSD magnet school located on 18th Street between La Cienega Blvd and Fairfax Avenue in West Los Angeles. LACES was founded in September 1977 as the first magnet school in LAUSD and as part of LAUSD's integration program.
Today, the school still maintains its diverse population with 25.3% Asian, 1.8% Filipino, 29.2% Hispanic, 14.7% Black, 28.3% White, and 0.7% Other students. The school serves around 1700 students, and many of them are bused in from different communities within Los Angeles. Of these students, approximately 53% of the students receive free or reduced lunch.
The school is known for its rigorous courses and boasts one of the highest API scores in LAUSD. Throughout 2004-2009 LACES received various rankings within the top 100 public schools in the nation. In 2012-2013, 45% and 19% of LAUSD students scored proficient or advanced in English and Math, respectively. Comparatively, LACES students scored 80% and 66%, respectively, in the same year. Additionally, while the LAUSD average of earning a C or better in the A-G required courses was 35% for the 2012-2013 school year, LACES' average was 80%. Lastly, 100% of LACES 10th graders passed the CAHSEE in the same school year.
LACES Mission Statement:
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies provides a challenging environment where all students pursue academic excellence leading to productive lives in a changing world.
Vision:
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies reflects the diversity of Los Angeles with its students coming from many socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies provides a challenging curriculum in a humanistic school environment offering close and personal involvement among teachers, students and parents. Courses develop academic abilities, artistic talents, and athletic skills.
Project Links:
Leadership Project: Detracking
LACES Sharing Brings Hope Charitable Campaign
