Mr. Serigstad

My Story

Arnie Serigstad's journey to being a middle school math teacher began after graduating with a degree in communications studies from Biola University. He originally entered the workforce by working with foster youth and families in a variety of ways including group homes and "Wrap" Services for the county of Orange and some Non-Profits. However, having grown up in Gilroy while frequently coming over the hill to Santa Cruz, it has always been his hope and intention to return to the Monterey Bay. So, as fate would have it, while Arnie originally set out on a path to become a social worker or family counselor, he eventually decided that his desire to serve and work with families needed to take the form of a different career. Coming from a family of educators, changing his trajectory toward teaching seemed to be his inescapable destiny.

Arnie joined the Math teaching team at Scotts Valley Middle School in 2013 teaching 6th grade. Growing up, math classes were never his favorite in school, and were primarily a source of frustration through high school. So, one of Arnie's goals as an educator became to help students realize the potential of the subject of math and to form it into a positive, stimulating, and enriching experience. He believes that Math can be more than just memorizing abstract logical procedures, but rather can positively shape the way students encounter challenges, themselves, and the world. Arnie strives to inspire a "growth mindset" in his students in how they view themselves and their own potential. Success is not determined by whether or not students happen to be a "math-person", but rather that they can build their own abilities as they apply themselves. It is his philosophy that Math can be a platform for flourishing creativity and provides endless challenges through which students can push their own limits through collaborative problem solving and interactive experiences with the concepts.

In his spare time he enjoys being near the ocean, enjoying great coffee, discovering new places with his wife Natalie, playing with his daughter Mabel, biking through the mountains, and playing card and board games with friends.

(taken from the "Bee's Knees Teacher Awards" bio from when I was a recipient in May 2018)