Profile

This is a little about me.

I have taught for quite some time: at the start of the 2025-26 school year I am starting my 25th year in West Side 35 years over all in my career at that point. I have worked my entire career to help students understand, appreciate and even love mathematics, learning, and thinking. My passion is to work with students as they try to grapple with the world around us, to make sense of it mathematically and globally in order to become better stronger citizens. Being at West Side provides me an opportunity to get to know a diverse group of students. I also really enjoy my colleagues.  I love exploring methods to improve my teaching and insure a rich and deep experience for all students.

In my years at WSHS I have taught every single math course at every level, whether it be for years or even part of year filling in. I have even co-taught a course that no longer exists (Integrated Physics and Pre-Calculus); for five years Mr. Bernard and I worked with students in this course to pull together both their math and physics knowledge in one class.

As I said, I have taught 34 years. Before coming to WSHS in 2001, I taught ten years in North Carolina in both private and public schools. I was also a medical software trainer for two years. For six years I served as the Mathematics Coach at WSHS, helping teachers to improve instruction and learning for all students. In addition, I chaired the Mathematics Department for twelve years, ending in Spring 2018.

I received my Bachelors in Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science from Wake Forest University and my Masters in Applied Mathematics from Appalachian State University. The school year 2022 was a special one as I was awarded the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Teaching and the class of 2022 asked me to be their commencement speaker as well. I cherish those memories along with other classes I have grown close to.

When not thinking about mathematics or working with students, I am an avid cook and baker.