Who is Mr. Markey?

I believe math class is about SKILLS.  Yes, that means math skills; but more importantly it means thinking skills and problem-solving skills.  A very big part of the process is perseverance.  ALL people can do math – but not if they give up too easily!!!   It’s unavoidable that there are some facts to learn, but the most important thing I hope my students learn is how to think through a problem.  I hope my students come to see themselves as capable thinkers and doers of math.  Mathematical thinking is critical thinking, it’s analytical thinking, and it’s problem-solving that can be used in so many aspects of every-day life!

This year I'll be working more to provide opportunities to see how math is important in the modern world.  The intention is to include more data-oriented topics and problems into the curriculum.  These days, math isn’t just applied in the traditional careers of finance, science, and engineering; the ability to deal with data is increasingly important in more and more settings.  

My Bio:

I'm originally from Manchester, Vermont, where my life revolved around skiing.  In high school I was inspired by my English teacher, and so on my first foray into college at the University of Vermont I declared an English major, with the intention of becoming a teacher myself.  It didn't go well - let's just say as a 17 year-old I wasn't emotionally ready for college!  

Skiing was still my main interest, so as an 18 year-old I packed up my little car and drove across the country to Winter Park, Colorado, where I spent two years living the dream teaching skiing and racing.  Two years of that was enough.  

Back in my hometown, I fell in love with a girl I had known since we were kids and then followed her back to UVM.  I also found a love of the geosciences.  My second foray in to higher education was WAY better!  I loved what I was studying and, importantly, I was connected to the small-ish community of geo-nerds.  I loved the detective work of science and I loved traipsing around the mountains of Vermont.  I also loved learning the history and inner workings of our planet.  So I continued my studies, earning a master's degree in isotope geochemistry from Northern Illinois University.

After getting my master's degree (and marrying Sheri), I/we signed up for the Peace Corps.  We spent two years in Honduras, where I made geologic maps and designed water systems for small communities in the mountains.  It was a life-changing experience!!  Everyone should have the chance to live in a third world country so that they understand what life is like for most of earth's population, and also come to appreciate the incredible privilege we enjoy as Americans.

On returning I took a job as a geochronologist with the US Geological Survey outside of Washington, DC, a job which eventually landed me at CSU doing similar work.  I still had the calling to be a teacher, though, so I left my first career and got my teaching credentials at CSU.  I started working at Poudre in 2007, teaching science and math to English Learners.  In 2012 I was tempted back into geochemistry with an offer to take my family to Norway.  We lived in Oslo for 6 months, where my kids were in second-language programs much like the one I was teaching in here at Poudre.  After returning to the US, I continued as CSU and the Norway-based studies I was involved with.  A highlight of that time was an expedition into the Arctic in the Svalbard archipelago, with 24-hour daylight the entire 15-day trip!

But it wasn't long before I felt the pull back to Poudre.  So I left that career again!  I'm back here where I belong!  This time around I'm teaching math, a subject I love and really enjoy teaching.  I'm also an assistant coach for the PSD Nordic Ski Team (Go Prairie Dogs!) and a former coach of the XC running team.

As for my personal life:  My wife Sheri and I just celebrated 36 years of marriage.  Our sons are now 29 (and married!) and 25.  I'm a pretty active person - I run a lot, LOVE mountain biking (haven't really been on my road bike in a couple of years!), and I love to be in the mountains skiing (though I've given up on the resorts), hiking, and backpacking.  I play a little guitar and plink around on a piano.  We also like to cook and eat really good meals in my house - good health starts with good food!  I spend a lot of time working on my old house.  I also get a lot of joy out of my gardens - fresh food and flowers are the best reward!!