Stephanie Grimes, SBU Mathematics Alumnus
"I graduated from SBU in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was
certified to teach 9-12 grades. From there, I went to University of Missouri - Coumbia (Mizzou) to earn a Master of Mathematics Education and finished my degree in July of 2005. While at
Mizzou, in the Fall of 2004 I taught College Algebra as a Teacher's Assistant for one
semester. I was hired at North Callaway in February 2005 and started teaching in
August!
I am currently teaching Algebra 1, Fundamentals of Geometry, and Math Analysis at North Callaway High School in Kingdom City, Missouri to freshmen, sophomore and junior students.
My math degree and education certification
(Math 9-12) had direct influence on my current career. By learning more
complex mathematical concepts at SBU, I now have the ability to see the"bigger picture" of how all math is connected. It has also helped me to
realize that high school students don't see this bigger picture
any clearer than I did when I started my college career.
The same harder
concepts also better prepared me to teach the higher-level courses like Math
Analysis. I never thought I would even be interested in teaching PreCalc,
but I love working with the juniors. I like knowing that what they learn now
is connected to what they will learn in Calculus next year. To my suprise, I am thinking about starting a Statistics class at my high
school!! My degree gives me the "mathematical" confidence I need to even
consider this!
My education background from SBU has also been beneficial. While you will never learn as much about teaching from a class as you will actually teaching, my education classes exposed me to things that some new teachers have never thought about. Since I just finished a Master in Mathematics Education degree at Mizzou, I can't give SBU all of the credit. However, I will have to say, most of the things I was exposed to at SBU were just repeated at Mizzou.
My advice to anyone interested in persuing a career in mathematics (especially education, because I know no other ;) ) is to be rather certain that it is the job want to pursue. A degree in mathematics is, at times, a lot of hard work, and can be frustrating when you don't see the "big picture". At the same time, however, the professors at SBU are great!! They are always willing to help and are understanding when you don't grasp a concept right away. (For any math professors who might be reading this -I miss you guys!! And I apologize for any headaches I may have caused, I am feeling the pay back now :) )
For anyone that would like to contact me, at this time they can send email to my school address: sgrimes@mail.northcallaway.k12.mo.us."
Stephanie Grimes
