During my mentor interview with Desi Forbes, I learned she has been teaching at Engisn Peak Academy for the last three years.
Desi has a degree in math education and taught math for 1.5 years before her husband got stationed in Japan. She took a long break from teaching publicly while their family was growing. During that time, she tutored and took jobs on the side.
It was a pleasure speaking with Desi and the following is my mentor interview with her.
How did you first hear about Ensign Peak?
Ryan Free was the previous math director at Ensign Peak Academy and he lived in my ward. My daughter needed a school we could do at home, and Ryan mentioned Ensign Peak Academy to me. A position came up for a math mentor and Ryan mentioned that I should interview for the job. The rest is history.
What do you love about your subject? Tell us about how you became interested in that subject.
I like that there are different ways to approach and think about problems. There are a lot of problems to be solved in society, and math helps with problem-solving.
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was young. I didn’t feel like I was great at any subject except for math. But now, I not only teach it, but I love it.
How did you become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? What does that mean to you?
I was born and raised in a home where my parents were members.
The church means everything to me. I’m grateful for the understanding I have being a member. Knowing about the Savior and the plan of happiness brings me so much joy and there is so much joy our Heavenly Father wants us to have.
Tell us about yourself and your family.
My husband is in the Air Force. I have lived in eight different states and two different countries (Japan for three years and also Canada). This has helped me understand different cultures. I feel like I can relate to where my students live physically.
Our family has two dogs. We enjoy our swimming pool and l love to be outside hiking or doing yard work.
We have four kids (two girls and two boys). Our oldest is at BYU-Idaho and our youngest is in 6th grade.
I play the flute. And I am very much a people person. I love talking to people and making new friends.
Where do you live?
Lexington, Virginia
What is something unique about you?
I enjoy learning Japanese. I started studying Japanese when I lived in Japan.
What hopes do you have for your students?
My honest hope is that they can learn to do hard things if they put effort into it. And that they are capable of learning if they take the time and effort.
It was a pleasure speaking with Desi Forbes during this mentor interview.
To learn more about the math program at Ensign Peak Academy, click on the following link: