Department of Education

Student Spotlight: Leo Tamagawa Gordon, MAT'24

Leo Tamagawa Gordon is a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate and Education Studies A.B. alum from Berkeley, CA. In this spotlight, he shares his journey from being inspired by a high school teacher to pursuing a MAT in Secondary English, and discusses the program's impact on his approach to teaching and connecting with students.

Name: Leo Tamagawa Gordon
Hometown: Berkeley, CA    
Program: Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary English
Education: Brown University, B.A. in Education Studies, Class of 2023    

What made you want to be a teacher?

I had a teacher senior year of high school who taught a class called "The Bible as Literature," and I think it rekindled my love of reading. I used to be a huge reader growing up. I love books, and I really enjoy writing. I took some education classes at Brown, and one was "The Psychology of Teaching and Learning" with Professor Diane Silva Pimentel. We had to shadow teachers and write about it, and I thought back to my high school teacher. I was like, “Dang, I kind of want to be him.” He was very influential in my life, and I want to do that for other people.

How is being in the MAT program different from being a Brown undergraduate?

The biggest difference is the schedule. I have to wake up much earlier than 8 am to go to school every day and attend classes, so it's a much longer time commitment. It's also a really cool chance to meet people in Providence. As a Brown undergrad, it's easy to stay in the College Hill bubble. However, getting involved in the schools, meeting students, and connecting with Providence teachers has been an incredible experience to explore more of Providence and its people.

What is something you enjoy about being a teacher?

Last week, I was grading my students' papers. They had to write a synopsis of a movie they would like to create, and the stories were just wild. One student wrote about a social media famous poet who stole money from her partners to live a lavish lifestyle. Another created a story about a robot living on the planet Aphrodite and falling from grace. There were all sorts of stories, from a horror movie set in a forest to a tale about going clubbing in Puerto Rico. It's so exciting to work with these students because they have such wild and creative ideas, and it's very inspiring.

What has the program taught you about culturally responsive teaching and a teacher’s part in change-making?

David Upegui, a mentor teacher/seminar leader, came and talked in one of our classes and began by asking everyone three check-in questions. He took great care to listen and showed genuine interest in getting to know our class, even though this was likely the only time we would see him, and it was just a one-time presentation on questioning in the classroom. He explained that he does this in many of the settings where he teaches because teaching is fundamentally about acknowledging the humanity and brilliance of students. For him, it's an opportunity to communicate "I see you" and recognize the students in this period of growth. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is showing students that their ideas and efforts matter, not just because they perform well or are inherently smart, but because they are trying hard and imagining and creating. These small moments of connection with students, where I can communicate that I care, form the foundation of my teaching.

How do you engage with your students and community outside of the classroom?

One of my favorite moments of this year was attending a basketball game and witnessing all my junior students starting for the Varsity basketball team, showcasing incredible athletic feats. Another highlight was my students' capstone night, where they presented their capstone research projects and their families came to watch. Opportunities to engage with students and their families outside of school are always incredible.

What is next for you after the program?

I just accepted a job offer to teach 12th-grade English at Latitude 37.8 High School in Oakland, California, which is in the town next to where I grew up. I’m super excited about that. I hope to be able to coach ultimate frisbee and help students with writing personal statements and preparing for college.