What classes do you teach, and how long have you been teaching?

I’ve been teaching for 12 years. I currently teach Algebra 2 and AP Calculus

What inspired you to become a teacher?

After two years of engineering school, I began tutoring and really connected with helping others learn math. I had great high school math teachers and several college professors that were inspiring and thought education would be a rewarding career. 

If you could be any fictional teacher who would it be?

John Grady Cole. Protagonist from Cormac McCarthy’s novel All the Pretty Horses. He leaves his home in Texas to go work on a farm. As a person who loves the countryside and despises big cities, this seems like it would suit me well. 

What extracurriculars are you involved in?

Brookfield East’s Math Team the Spartangents. The team, consisting of 40 members, competes four times a year against area schools in various math challenges. 

What is something students would be surprised to know about you?

I played in a band for several years and went on a few tours across the US to the south and east coasts. I still write music and play guitar in my free time. 

Who is your favorite historical contributor to math?

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The German mathematician (1646-1716) is credited for developing the main ideas of differential calculus. He also published works in science, history, philosophy, politics, and law. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring math teachers?

No matter how desperate you are for money, do not teach summer school. Spend time doing things you normally couldn’t do during the school year. 

What are some of your favorite and not-so-favorite moment(s) of your job?

I enjoy seeing the “aha” moments students have during class when something conceptually clicks in their head. Though it may not seem like it at the moment, problem solving and critical thought skills are life lasting and I enjoy being a part of that for others. Not-so-favorite moments would be dealing with any form of misbehavior and having to repeat myself multiple times because someone was talking during the explanation the first time. The notion that “there are no dumb questions” is dumb. 

Do you have any reflections on your teaching experiences?

I’d like to think I’ve had a positive influence on students over the years of teaching. As my career furthers, it will be rewarding to see what former students do after graduation and their accomplishments. Just don’t be one of those people that says you hate school but come back to visit me two weeks into your freshman year of college. 

What are your goals for the future?

I’ve applied to be a reader for the College Board for grading AP exams. I’d like to work with the College Board in the future as an instructor for summer institutes in training future AP Calculus teachers…. or just quit teaching altogether. Either way.