Mr. Pentecost

1st Period:  Advanced Quantitative Reasoning

A2: Geometry / B2: Geometry

A3:  Advanced Quantitative Reasoning / B3:  Conference

A4:  Conference / B4:  Geometry

5th Period:  Advanced Quantitative Reasoning

Help Sessions:

Tuesday - Friday:  8:30 - 8:45

Monday - Thursday:  4:15 - 4:30

Education and Experience

Master of Science: Mathematics, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX (August 1998)

Bachelor of Science: Physics, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY (December 1993)

Instructor: Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas

Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Business Math

Instructor: Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas

Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra

Instructor:  North Central Texas College, Corinth, Texas

College Algebra

Instructor:  Charles County Community College, La Plata, Maryland

Elementary and Intermediate Algebra

Financial Consultant:  A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.

Scientist:  U.S. Naval Warfare Center

Background:

  I had finished my undergraduate degree in physics at Western Kentucky University and had no definite career plans. For the spring 1994 semester, I had the opportunity to teach a remedial math course for Paris Junior College on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce; and although I had never considered teaching, it was something that I wanted to try.

  That semester of teaching was so much fun! By the end of that first course, I knew that I wanted a career as an educator, so I enrolled in the graduate program of Texas A&M University-Commerce. For the next three years, I taught at least five sections of elementary algebra each semester, and four sections each summer, for Paris Junior College, all while taking two graduate mathematics courses each semester myself. Eventually I taught intermediate algebra, college algebra, and business math for the University.

  After earning my master’s degree in mathematics, I decided to pursue other careers. However, in none of them did I feel that sense of personal satisfaction that I had as a teacher. I finally realized that I wanted to return to the classroom, but this time to high school. I realize that I will have a great responsibility, but I will also have a wonderful opportunity.

Philosophy of Education:

  To be successful in life—academically, professionally, and socially—young people need a solid educational foundation. I believe that I am well equipped as an educator to help provide that foundation.

  I believe that one of the most valuable traits an educator can possess is patience. Students often do not grasp a concept upon first hearing it; and in math especially, a new idea must be illustrated several times before the students understand. There must be repetition, but the instructor must work to keep the topic interesting and to keep the students’ attention.

I want to be a part of that learning process. I enjoy helping people to learn and to gain understanding of new concepts. I want to help some of our young people to obtain that solid foundation and to succeed in life.

Hobbies, Family info, etc.

·        Spending time with my wife, Christy.

·    Farming.

·        Making and drinking coffee, cortados, cappuccino, cafe' au lait, cafe' creme, latte', frappe', etc.

·        Building a model railroad

·        Reading and listening to audio-books

·        Painting with watercolors

·        Studying the history of World War II in Europe