Clare McGovern

About Me

I begin my day with a piping hot cup of coffee as the sun rises over the city skyline. As steam rises from my cup, I realize this daily ritual is who I am, a creator of positive experiences. I take a sip reflecting on the question I’m asked a lot these days,“What would make a Math Teacher take the leap into UX Design?” The answer is surprisingly simple. A good teacher is in the business of creating user experiences. And with the right skills, instincts and experience, she can be a great UX designer. I became a teacher at the beginning of a technology revolution in education. And with experience came self discovery: Realization 1 - I love to explore. Whether it’s strolling the streets of NYC on a weekend getaway or taking time to explore what makes students tick, I love making a find. Wandering the streets of Midtown, the find might be a hip coffee shop with the best cappuccinos. As a teacher, the find may be that flash of understanding that lights up a student’s face when they “get it.” What excites me about UX/UI design, is the power to replicate that “aha moment” a thousand times over for students, teachers, and ordinary users in need of answers. Realization 2 - Empathy is one of my intuitive instincts. My first college internship was teaching a classroom of English Language Learners, many recent refugees from Nepal. When I began to understand them — their interests, their culture — I was able to create a comfort zone for learning and fun. I had discovered the first design principle of UX. Realization 3 - Technology lights a fire inside me.I’ve spent thousands of hours as a teacher and team leader, planning, collating, and designing user experiences for students. The tech revolution has allowed my team to personalize learning and make it interactive. EdTech was my spark. Realization 4 - Math teachers are an analytical bunch. It’s my nature to work from a plan, but I’m flexible enough to know when to change. In 2020 I stepped away from the classroom enrolling in an intensive Springboard Boot Camp in UI/UX Design. Working with industry pros, I’m building a portfolio of new technical skills and industry savvy. My goal is to work as part of a Design Team that makes user experiences as satisfying as that first sip of a steaming beverage at sunrise. So, if any of my story strikes a chord, feel free to reach out. Or if you’re interested in chatting about UX Design or EdTech over a warm beverage, let’s connect.

My Skills

• Product Design
• UI/UX

My Career

• Revolution Math teacher | Making Math FunRevolution PrepCurrent

My Details