“In college, I was open to other STEM careers, but nothing stood out like teaching.” -Leif Vargas
For the 2025-26 school year, MCS welcomes Leif Vargas as a new 7-12 math teacher. Vargas grew up in Chappaqua, New York and went to Binghamton University where he earned a master’s in mathematics adolescent education.
Question: Would you tell us about yourself?
My becoming a math teacher is thanks to my amazing teachers. In high school, math was my worst subject until an abundance of support from my math teachers helped me overcome misconceptions that were holding me back. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their compassion and support. Now, my job is to share my knowledge with students that are in a place I once was.
Content knowledge is very important but even a math genius is not guaranteed to be a great teacher if they cannot connect and create a welcoming learning environment. Without compassion some students will get left behind. I believe all educators are enforcers of equity and it’s our job to make sure all of our students have safe spaces to learn. Compassion and connection are truly the most important qualities in a teacher.
I feel very lucky to begin a career that encourages me to continue to be curious while letting me connect with people and pay my teachers’ kindness forward.
What attracted me to Middleburgh was the opportunity to create engaging and creative math lessons that challenge students and encourage them to be curious about the world. Middleburgh students are very lucky to be attending a school that fosters a culture of great learning experiences that deepen student critical thinking skills every day. I deeply admire a school that helps all students achieve excellence and the compassionate thoughts and mission statement of MCS.
Question: Do you have a favorite quote?
A quote I love is, “I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do,” from Jana Stanfield. Sometimes knowing we can’t fix all the world’s problems leaves us unmotivated and keeps us from trying, but this quote always reminds me the good I can do is needed and it keeps me motivated to keep trying and to be a good person everyday. If everyone felt defeated and thought the world can never change then nothing would get done. Focusing on elevating the lives of the people we encounter everyday is still goodness the world deeply needs.
Question: Do you have a favorite book?
My favorite book is “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. I’m fascinated by the future Huxley illustrates and its warning of a world powered by intellectual thought but void of emotion and compassion. This story reminds me we can have an amazing technologically advanced world or classroom but it means nothing if it forgets to treat its people well and help those who need extra support.
You must be logged in to post a comment.