I graduated from St. Olaf College in May 1993, with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and education. I applied for a secondary mathematics teaching position in over 60 different schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I had seven interviews with various schools before I was offered a job with Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

My first year of teaching consisted of three different levels of algebra at both the high school and the middle school. In the following two years, I was able to teach an upper level enriched geometry class along with a lower level applied algebra class. Teaching at both ends of the ability spectrum has been very rewarding and creates a pleasant balance in my day. I enjoy the challenge of both the different students and the different mathematical ideas.

The biggest obstacle I have to overcome in the classroom is trying to present the material in a way that catches the students’ attention and is relevant to them. The majority of the students in applied algebra either dislike math or have difficulty understanding it. Most of my teaching becomes motivational rather mathematical. Focusing on the student is much more critical than focusing on the pure mathematics. On the other hand, the students in enriched geometry are much more focused. They yearn for the pure mathematics and its relevance to the higher levels of math.