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Teacher: Mathematics Department
- South Hadley High School
153 Newton Street
South Hadley, MA 01074- Tel. (413) 538-5063
- [Contact info page]
Courses Taught:
Beginning Aug. 2005:
Advanced Algebra and Statistics, Trigonometry, Geometery (Accelerated), AP Calculus BC (via the online Virtual HS program).At the High School of Commerce, Springfield, MA [1985-2005]
AP Calculus (AB & BC), IB Math Methods SL, Precalculus, Algebra 2, Algebra 2-Honors, Algebra 1, Alebra 1-Honors, Pre-Algebra, and several Business Education coursesEducation:
Teaching Certifications (Massachusetts):
Mathematics, 9 - 12
Professional Membership:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Publications:
- Journal article:
- "Exploring the Birthday Pardox Using a Monte Carlo Simulation and Graphing Calculators." The Mathematics Teacher. April 2001. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Awards:
- 2005 - "Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award" / Distinguished Teacher Award. Presented by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
- Who's Who Among America's Teachers: 1996, 1998, & 2004
- (Nominee) 2003 Patricia Hunter Leadership Award for Contributions to the Springfield Public Schools' Professional Development Program
- MassMutual Academic Achiever Inspirational Teacher
On TEACHING:
I have probably always wanted to be a teacher, to continue to learn and to share the joy of learning with others, so I count myself very fortunate to have been able to build a professional career as a teacher. I began my teaching career as a full-time teacher in the Springfield Public Schools system in 1985, teaching Business subjects (Accounting, Math, and Law) before moving into the Mathematics department in 1996. In August 2005 I begin the next phase of my career, when I join the Mathematics department staff of South Hadley HS.
While I enjoyed my tenure as a Business teacher, I feel I have found a true home in MATH. Having been motivated to get a second teaching certification to increase my flexibility, I became enraptured with the "supreme beauty" (to quote Bertrand Russell) of mathematics. It is more than just a topic I can demonstrate skill in. To me, mathematics has become a true passion. Expanding my knowledge of it has become more than professional development, it is my hobby, my joy, and my life.
Since I returned to college in 1992 to work on my math degree, I have become totally immersed with improving my personal education. One of my greatest experiences has been obtaining my Master's degree at RPI, a world renowned center of technology an education. This program integrated science and math and brought together dozens of teachers from many
backgrounds with varied experiences. The three summers spent there I consider to be defining moments in my life. It was a challenge to see if I could measure up to an extremely high standard, and I am extremely proud of the my achievements in this program. Beyond the education, the rewards of gaining the many bonds of friendship and camaraderie that formed between among the members of the program is something I would not trade for a mountain of gold.
Below you will see a photo of me from our first summer at RPI. It was taken in our "Nature and Process of Physical Science" course while we were studying new techniques to teach the scientific method. The lab activity was an inquiry-base approach to learning how to extract DNA from an organic substance. I was delighted to be doing a real application of science and later used math to analyse our findings. It was REALLY exciting.
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Another great thrill was to advance my computer skills far beyond where they were upon entering the program. My great thanks go to my professors and colleagues who aided me in this process.
Recently I discovered a math object that bears my family name, which thrilled me to no end. It is called "Whitney's Singularity" and is described as "an example of a singular algebraic surface of the type studied in topology and singularity theory." Sounds like something right out of STAR TREK ... Cool!Don't ask me what it is or how it is created ... because I have only the most limited knowledge about topology. You could say that in my study of this field I have barely scratched the surface. That just goes to show how much more math I have to study and learn. And, in the words of Siméon Poisson, "Life is good for only two things, discovering mathematics and teaching mathematics."
Click on the book image below to go to my web page of recommendations for reading in the field of mathematics. There you will find information of some of the many mathematics books I have read and have particularly enjoyed.
OUTSIDE of teaching:
And there is life beyond studying math.... One of my biggest enjoyments is following the Boston Red Sox. Correction ... one of my biggest enjoyments is following the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. I have been a Red Sox fan my entire life and the 2004 season was a dream come true! Yes, the photo at right is me and the 2004 World Series Trophy (photo taken at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA). As you might expect, I'm also a big fan of the New England Patriots, but the Red Sox are number one, by a long mile.
Among my other interests I include the hobbies of reading, movies, music, sci-fi conventions and renaissance faires. I am a devoted reader of the works of William Shakespeare and take pride in having read his entire body of work, both drama and poetry (and, naturally, I also enjoy live and film productions of the Bard's plays).
Beyond Shakespeare, my reading preferences lean toward fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien, Katherine Kurtz, and Anne McCaffrey) and non-fiction (science, history, and math ... yes ... reading MATH books for pleasure). Carl Sagan's writings have been especially inspirational to me. I also enjoy classic science fiction (authors such as Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov).
I enjoy films, with George Lucas' STAR WARS series having been a major impact on my way of looking at movies, music, mythology...you name it. My general preference for films is for quality films of most genres, though my favorites tend to be "up-beat" stories and science fiction and fantasy.
My music tastes range a wide spectrum: classical to classic rock, Celtic to country, folk to New Age. My current favorite bands play the small club circuit, and I would be shocked (though pleased) if you have heard of Eddie From Ohio, Great Big Sea, Altan, Patrick Street, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem, and The Nields. There are also some "big name" acts I have been a fan of for years, but the list would be too long to try to reproduce here. [In 2004, I attended 49 concerts ... so this has become quite an obsession.]
I am also a devotee of several TV sci-fi & fantasy series, including STAR TREK and the British imports BLAKE'S 7 and ROBIN OF SHERWOOD. My enjoyment of fantasy films, TV, and literature has also led me into attending Renaissance Faires such as King Richard's Faire. They are a blast!
I have even posted a pair of stories I have written, both inspired by some of these "fannish" interests. The first, "Picard's Last Theorem," was influenced by a mathematics problem and is set in the series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The second, "A Muse of Fire," is a Star Trek: Voyager story that reflects my deep interest in the works of William Shakespeare.
So, as you can see, I have plenty of interests beyond mathematics.
Site Created & Maintained by:
Matthew C. Whitney
