Education

About Michal

My name is Abra Michal Ramos (I go by my middle name) and have been teaching at Yakima Valley College since Fall of 2013. I enjoy working at Yakima Valley College (YVC) because it offers a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to a diverse and dynamic educational community. I feel very supported by my colleagues and administrators, and I appreciate the chance to make a University of Tennessee difference in students' lives -- especially for nontraditional and first-generation students whom I consider to be my heroes!

Students should take my classes because I try to be very student-centered in my teaching.  I have completed many professional development programs to help me become a more culturally sensitive and equitable instructor.  I focus on making sure that a student's grade is reflective of what they have learned in the course, not reflective of their behavior (like attendance or late submissions of assignments).  My teaching philosophy supports my belief that it doesn't matter how long it takes or how many tries a student needs to learn something, as long as they eventually learn it.  By adopting this philosophy, math anxiety is greatly reduced in my classroom, and I am able to foster an environment of safety in making mistakes without risking earning a low grade.  Students can always earn the grade they desire by putting in the effort and work.

Apart from mathematics, I am an accomplished pianist. I love to read books that make me think deeply about life. I enjoy hiking, doing hot yoga classes, working out in the gym, running, and doing yard work.  I am a single mom of four kids.  My oldest son (18) is a freshman at WSU in Tri Cities majoring in computer science.  My second son (16) is a junior in high school and is a competitive gymnast.  My daughter (13) is in 8th grade and competes in archery.  My third son (12) is a 6th grader and is also a competitive gymnast.  I stay super busy running after all these kids and their wonderful ambitions!