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Teaching Philosophy

Mr. Van Dyk is in his 22nd year teaching. This year, he is teaching Seventh Grade Advanced Math and Seventh Grade Standard Math. This is his 21st year teaching at FAMS. In addition to his teaching role, Mr. Van Dyk has coached track, baseball, and girls' basketball and has been a chaperone for Frost Valley in past years at FAMS. Previously, Mr. Van Dyk taught Seventh and Eighth Grade Math at Saint Lucy Filippini Academy in Newark, NJ. He is thrilled to be back and looks forward to another great year with the students and faculty at FAMS.

Mr. Van Dyk earned his Bachelor's Degree from William Paterson College, and has a Master's Degree in Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics from Montclair State University. An avid sports fan, he enjoys rooting for his Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, NY Rangers, and Boston Celtics. Mr. Van Dyk also enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Mr. Van Dyk also enjoys visiting Major League ballparks, and is planning his next set of stadiums to visit.

Mr. Van Dyk is very excited to work with enVision as our resource in Math. Students are encouraged to approach Mr. Van Dyk if they are unsure about anything or if they need extra help. Students are expected to be on time to class, in their seats or logged into the zoom, and ready to work before the late bell rings. All students should report to class prepared every day with their laptops charged, textbooks, notebooks, homework, and pencils/pens. Students who arrive late or unprepared repeatedly will discuss potential consequences with Mr. Van Dyk. If being unprepared becomes a problem, parents will be notified and we will all try to find a reasonable solution to the problem. The same can be said of homework. Homework is to be done and handed in on time in person or virtually. Repeated missed homework assignments will also result in parents being contacted.

Students will be given a copy of their textbooks, in addition to access to the online version of the textbook. If technical issues arise at home, students will still be expected to complete homework assigned using the actual textbook or workbook. Textbooks can be written in this year. Quizzes will occur at the various points within a chapter. Chapter tests will occur 2-3 times per marking period.