Interview with Ms. Xavios

This year, West Chester East has made multiple new additions, with one of them including the hire of the new math teacher, Ms. Xavios (alias: Professor X). Miss Xavios teaches a wide range of math here at West Chester East, from CCP Geometry, Honors Algebra Two, and Honors Statistics. I set out to learn more about one of East’s newest additions. 

#1: Where did you get your degree? And what is your major in?

“I got my undergrad at West Chester University in Mathematics education, and I got my master's degree from American College of Education in curriculum and instruction.”

#2: Where have you taught before West Chester East?

“I taught at Owen J. Roberts High School. I taught Geometry, Algebra Two, Algebra One, and College Algebra.”

#3: What made you decide to teach math? And what made you decide to teach high schoolers?

“I always loved Math growing up. My teachers throughout middle school and high school really shaped me into loving Math, and I think it can be fun, even though most people don’t agree. I had a teacher my sophomore and junior year, Miss Murphy, who just made that lightbulb go off in your head, the best feeling. It made me want to help other students as I got older, also get that feeling.”

#4: What is your philosophy when it comes to teaching as a whole? 

“My philosophy when teaching is a quote that I shared with my students at the beginning of the year: 'practice makes progress’. Just showing growth over the year, whether it’s improving study skills, being more comfortable about asking or answering questions, and overall just developing the Mathematical skills to move onto the next level.”

#5: What are your opinions so far on West Chester East High School?

“It’s been really fun to see how all the students dress up for spirit days and their sports team themes, so seeing student involvement and excitement not only in the classroom but also for their out-of-school activities, and I’ve also been embraced by my math department. I’m surrounded by a lot of great teachers, which also makes my job easier.”

#6: Which level is your favorite to teach? 

“My favorite Math class to teach is Geometry. I think it’s so fun learning the rules and applying them. It’s a nice combination of Mathematical definitions, but also applying algebra skills.”

#7: What is something you feel is crucial for your students to know about you?

“I think it’s important for my students to know that I do this job for them. There’s nothing more that I want than to see them be successful and to grow as a student and as a person throughout their high school career. And that I’m always willing to help. And always happy to support them in anything they need, to get to where they want to be.”

#8: Do you like the nickname Professor X?

“My first year of teaching at Owen J. Roberts, a couple of years ago, a student called me Professor X, and I kind of didn’t think anything of it. And then he asked me if I knew who Professor X was; they told me, “It’s a bald guy.” And I was like, “Well, he’s a genius still, right?” So I don’t mind, I just think it’s pretty funny.”

#9: What are your overall goals for this school year?

“So my goals for this school year are: 

• Get to know my students and how I can best help them individually.

• Stay on top of all my grading, especially since I am prepping new content after moving school districts. I’ve taught these things before, just in a different order, so now I have to re-prep a bunch of lessons. 

• So, making sure I stay on top of my organization and don’t procrastinate while also getting to know my students are my goals for this year.”

#10: What would you be if you weren’t a teacher, and has that changed since you were younger? 

“So I’ve actually always wanted to be a teacher. I remember playing teacher, playing imagination with my friends. I was the teacher. We’d set up stuffed animals as our students. I also remember coming home from school and teaching math to my neighbors who are like five years younger. So I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, but I used to want to teach English until I got to high school. I realized that elementary and middle school English is very different then high school English. But overall, teaching has always been the goal, and I’m happy I met that goal. Something I thought about as my friends and I were in college was becoming a PA, a physician's assistant. I think that’s a really cool career, and it’s also a career where you’re helping other people.” 

Thank you to Miss Xavios for agreeing to do this interview.