I taught for one year as a seventh grade math teacher, and am currently in my twelfth consecutive year as a sixth grade math teacher. I have taught sixth grade math, seventh grade math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and a myriad of skills classes that review concepts learned in elementary school. I enjoy teaching 6th grade, because it allows me to take students from a variety of schools with a variety of math abilities and levels of confidence and show them just how successful they can be in mathematics. Prior to becoming a teacher, I spent 14 years as project manager for two major U.S. corporations. I bring this real-world experience, a love for teaching, and a passion for driving students to success to my classroom each and every day.
I use songs, poems, and raps to pique student interest and help students learn and retain math concepts. I am often observed dancing to my math tunes in the classroom, and my students are often seen singing them as they walk down the hallways. I have found that published textbooks, in general, do not meet the needs of my students. I have had much more success in developing and utilizing my own lessons and units to give the students precisely what they need, when they need it..
Math Department Chairman: 2010 - present. Teacher of the Year: 2012-2013 school year. .
Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Harvey Mudd College - 1987 Master of Science in Engineering - Harvey Mudd College - 1988 Master of Business Administration in Finance - Indiana University - 1990 Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - University of Colorado at Colorado Springs - 2005
I believe ALL students can learn given the right teaching methods, materials, and relationships with their teachers. I have produced a wealth of teacher-generated materials to help students be successful in mathematics.
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, Homeschool
Math, Algebra, Applied Math, Basic Operations, Fractions, Geometry, Graphing, Measurement, Numbers, Order of Operations, Science, Chemistry, Math Test Prep, Statistics, Word Problems, Mental Math, Decimals, Place Value