Joseph Cox

The Villages Charter School provides access to many resources to help you succeed.  Below you will find a list of resources that I find particularly useful for succeeding in my class:

Primary Resources: 

1. Instruction in the classroom - There is no substitute for being attentive in class.  In addition to specific standards based instruction, students will often learn valuable test taking strategies as well as critical thinking and life skills.  

2. Textbook - In addition to providing focused, standards based content, modern digital textbooks have many supplemental features, diagnostic tools, embedded videos, digital labs, and practice assessments to help students achieve a deeper understanding of course material.

3. Scientific Calculator - Computational literacy is becoming more and more important to college bound students.  There is no better place to start learning computational literacy than by getting comfortable with a scientific calculator.  Students will have access to a graphing, scientific calculator in class but those calculators are not to leave the classroom.  I recommend students purchase a scientific calculator to use outside of my class and while at home.  I highly recommend a scientific calculator that can also be used on standardized tests such as the ACT/SAT or future AP exams.  An example of a scientific calculator that can currently be used on all of those tests would be the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator.  This is the type of calculator we have in the classroom and is just one example of a suitable calculator that students can use for many years to come.  For more information, testing websites (SAT, ACT, AP) provide a list of authorized calculators.

4. Desmos - Desmos.com is a website that has a graphing calculator (linked here) that students can use while at home.  Although Desmos is not allowed for in-class assessments (no computers used on my tests/quizzes), Desmos Graphing calculator IS the calculator embedded in the new Digital SAT and Digital PSAT.   Supposedly, as of spring 20244, DESMOS is also embedded in the digital ACT but I have yet to confirm that with any student who has taken it recently.  I will teach students how to use Desmos graphing calculator throughout the year.

Other Resources:

1. Syllabus and Grading policy - Found on class Canvas site accessed through Google Account and also here:

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Precalculus Honors

2. Classroom Management Plan - Found on class Canvas site accessed through Google Account and at this link.

3. FlippedMath.com - This a great resource that can help reinforce some topics used in class.  Guided videos navigate through the concepts and the instructor also uses the same calculator we use in class. (link here).  There is also an AP Precalculus version which students may find helpful at this link.

4. Khan Academy - Pre-recorded video based instruction which past students have found useful can be found at this link.

5. Purplemath.com - If you are struggling with previously learned material (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) then purplemath.com can be a great resource to review those older concepts. There are also great test prep materials and reviews on this site.  Visit Purplemath.com to learn more.

Required Supplies:

1. Calculator access at home.

2. Pencils

3. 3-ring binder

4. Loose-leaf notebook paper

About me - Joseph Cox (Lt. Col, US Air Force - Retired)

This is my third year teaching at the Villages High School.  I am certified by the state of Florida to teach Math (Grades 6-12), Physics (Grades 6-12), and Computer Science (Grades K-12).  I previously taught 15 semesters of college pre-engineering mathematics (Calculus I, II, and Differential Equations) at the United States Air Force Academy.  

I graduated from Leesburg High School right down the road.  I did some undergraduate study at the University of Florida but eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy.  I have two master's degrees, one in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama and one in Military Operation Art and Design from the Air University (Air Command and Staff College).

I served 24+ years in the US Air Force (4 years at the Academy and 20+ years on active duty) as a flight training instructor, mobility pilot, operations planner/military strategist, commander, and Academy instructor.  I spent approximately 5 of my 20 years of active duty serving in countries outside the USA (65+ different nations).  

My wife, Kerri, is a pharmacist the UF Hospital in Leesburg.  I have a son, Caleb, who is attending the University of South Florida in Tampa for cybersecurity.  I also have a daughter, Hunter, who will be attending the Villages High School as a senior.  

I enjoy all things outdoors - hunting, fishing, hiking, off-roading, snorkeling, diving, cruising in my boat, etc.  I played intercollegiate soccer as a freshman at the Air Force Academy before discovering the best sport on the planet...rugby.  I played rugby at the Academy my last three years there and also coached college and high school rugby for seven years.  I am currently an assistant coach for the Villages High School Girl's Flag Football team.

Expectations:

I expect students to put forth as much effort learning in my class as I put forth teaching it.
I expect students to push themselves and be respectful of others (students, guests, teachers) at all times.  Before you can be respectful to others, you have to first respect yourself. 
I expect students to struggle with some tasks along the way. 
I expect students to fail at some tasks along the way, nobody is perfect. 
I expect students experiencing struggle or failure to 1) own it, 2) display grit, and 3) learn from those struggles and failures to become better.  The best and most valuable lessons I learned in life came through both struggle and failure.
I expect students to help out one another. If a topic comes easy to you, then help out someone else by teaching and guiding...not spoon-feeding.  You will be surprised how deeply you can learn a concept when you have to teach that concept to another.
I expect students to not hinder another student's learning (reference "respect" above).