Professor

“Teaching is a great way to learn. I have students every day—electricians, mechanics, builders—who ask me questions I never thought about. Perspective is extremely valuable in the study of physics.”

Challenging or intimidating? As in most areas of physics, there’s a razor’s edge to walk when the subject is presented in the classroom. For Fay Lai, this is the ‘thin ice’ where she loves to skate. “Physics has a tough reputation with students because they think it’s the hardest subject at the university. Many dread it because it’s required for transfer to engineering school,” she says. “But it’s not as bad as people think. And I want my students to know that my classes will be as fun as possible. When you enjoy a subject—and feel free to laugh in a classroom—you will learn it much better.”

Teaching, for Fay, is as much about learning as it is about directing inquiry. “Students with poor math backgrounds or who are weak in sciences: They ask the most provocative questions,” says Fay. “So I have to be aware of their viewpoints and bring that into the class.” But the great cross-section of students at SMC—who show up from every walk of life—has Fay feeling enthusiastic about her teaching and learning options.

“SMC has really wonderful technological support, like the VOH (Virtual Office Hours) site where students can check in with instructors via the Internet.” But Fay, who is from Taiwan, states that Asian students can get the most out of SMC through face-to-face meetings, both with teachers and with American students. “Our culture and the language difficulty make us shy; they are related problems,” she explains. “But when Asians learn English quickly, it opens them up. And it’s this openness that leads to everything becoming easier.”

SMC Physics Professor Hsu-Feng (Fay) Lai began full-time at SMC in Fall ’99. Welcome!

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