Tiffany Enriquez
High School Math Teacher
Bachelor of Science, Education, Secondary Mathematics, English Language Arts, Eastern Michigan University
For Ms. Enriquez, becoming a teacher was all about the cookies. As a third-grade student, she enjoyed winning her class's regular “math minute” challenge—and the cookies that came with it. “I did it all for the cookies,” she says with a smile. Math always came easily to Ms. Enriquez. Even as a student, she says, “I loved helping others understand it the way I did.” Since becoming a teacher in 2010, “the feeling hasn’t changed.”
All it Takes Is One Connection
Ms. Enriquez has been teaching at Connections Academy since 2015. She explained that during her previous experience working in a traditional school setting, she had limited opportunities to engage personally with students—and even fewer opportunities to get to know their families. At Great Lakes Learning Academy, she says, “Connecting with students and families is the most rewarding part of my work.”
Ms. Enriquez’s own experience in school has helped her make those connections with her students more meaningful. “I have been both the A+ student as well as the nearly failing student,” she explains. “All it takes is one connection for a student to feel heard, and I use my experience to harness that power.”
In her time at Great Lakes Learning Academy, Ms. Enriquez has become a strong believer in online education and the advantages it offers students. “Learning online is becoming more and more mainstream,” she says. “The 21st century is all about technology, adapting, and overcoming. These are life skills that are learned here at Great Lakes Learning Academy.”
Mother, Gamer
Ms. Enriquez is the mother of two girls (and one miniature Yorkie). When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys taking the family to the beach near her house, especially during the summer. When she can find some time for herself, Ms. Enriquez likes playing sudoku (as you might expect of a math teacher!) and even gaming on her phone.