Precalculus Class Profile - Spring 2002

Following is just some of the interesting information I received from your letters. The questions you asked me are answered at the bottom.

Classes 21 Freshmen, 6 Sophomores, 2 Juniors.

Majors
Discovery 4
Business 15
Digital Arts 1
Education 2
Biochemistry 1
Biology 4
Psychology 1
Communications 1

Math is hard, important, useful, fun, interesting, confusing, essential, okay, complicated, great, pain in the neck, demanding, part of everything you do, easy, challenging, all right, always new to me.

Your futures hold work, enjoyable careers, money, success, being, law school, being a sports agent, working for a large or small company or a non-profit organization, travel, managing bands, investment banking, marketing, teaching, coaching, medical school, and biological research.

Your hobbies include sports and outdoor activities, music (listening and making), travel, website design, art, reading, parties, dancing, movies, family and friends, working out, writing, meeting new people, stocks, cooking, communication & drama, computers, singing, chearleading, and stuff.

Your questions -- I'm originally from Pennsylvania. I did well in math in school because teachers encouraged me, I liked it, and so I always did my homework. I went to college at Eckerd and grad school at Vanderbilt. I've been teaching for 20 years, the last 10 of them at Stetson. I like teaching because it is a way for me to use my organization skills. Also I'm shy, and teaching helps me break the ice to meet lots of people I otherwise wouldn't. More about my professional life is on my vita page.

As a teacher, I'm demanding, accessible, and fair. If you know the material, you make the grade. If you don't know the material I'm always willing to help and I'm very patient. My classes are usually considered hard. Sometimes they're fun - it depends on how willing the students are to participate, both mathematically and socially. I don't mind jokes. Over the years, about 68% of students pass this course.

I came to Stetson because it is a small school in a small town, and I love living here. But we're close to Daytona Beach and Orlando, so there's lots of variety too. My hobbies include bird-watching, movies, and working on my car. I have no children or pets and my favorite color is blue. My list of favorite songs is too long to print here; today Immigrant Eyes by Guy Clark is at the top.


spring 2002 course description
spring 2002 syllabus
instructions for the TI-83
study tips
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