Academics
Mathematics Alumni in Teaching Careers
Diana Coulter '06
I am currently working as a high school mathematics teacher at Clarkstown South High School, in West Nyack, New York. I am teaching 9th and 10th graders at this fairly large school with about 1300 students. I teach Sequential Course 1, Sequential Course 2 and Math A Year 2. These three classes are a combination of Algebra, Geometry as well as Trigonometry.
Saint Michael’s has helped me a lot while teaching. It exposed me to many different styles of teaching that I use every single day. Saint Michael’s also taught me about the importance of the student-teacher relationship. As a teacher you have to know each and every one of your students so you can do what is best for each student as well as what is best for the class as a whole.
Whitney Sherman '04
I am a Mathematics Teacher at a small public high school in Connecticut, and I am one of the four mathematics teachers there. I am passing on my knowledge and my excitement about mathematics to my students as well as helping to coach the girl’s soccer team.
After graduating from Saint Michael's and traveling cross country for 80 days, I started graduate school in Connecticut to obtain my Master's in Secondary Mathematics Education and CT Teaching Certification. My Praxis II exam focused on mathematics.
My Saint Michael's mathematics education helped me earn a score of excellence within the top 15 percent of all test takers. Saint Michael's did not only provide me with mathematical skills but with a passion for mathematics that I am thrilled to be able to share with my own students. In closing, I know that Saint Michael's College was a perfect fit for me and provided me with everything I needed to step confidently into the "real" work world.
Heather Rubenstein '03
I am currently a Mathematics Teacher at Woodstock Union High School. I have taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II. I am also a Co-Director of the Teen Center here, the Varsity Softball Coach, the Senior Class Advisor and the Treasurer of a local coalition. On top of all this I am pursuing my Master’s of Science in Educational Administration.
The math education I received at Saint Michael’s was great! There are many times when a student asks me a question and the answer involves something I learned at Saint Michael's. I am amazed that even though I teach high school math I can use my college math to further explain things to students. They often appreciate little tidbits of knowledge that other teachers don’t have!
Julie Harutunian '02
I am a Mathematics Teacher at Reading Memorial High School in Reading, MA. I originally worked at Putnam Investments for a year as a portfolio accounting analyst, before I changed paths and went into teaching. It was a great decision for me and I couldn’t be happier in the school in which I am working.
In order to teach in MA, I had to get my master's in education. It wasn't a problem at all to start taking education classes after graduation. Now, I am pursuing a second master's program in mathematics.
I couldn’t have been more prepared than I was leaving college. Besides what I learned in the classroom, I learned how to study, work independently and with other students. One of the things I liked best about our department was the small size. I became comfortable speaking with each of my professors and benefited greatly from everyone’s help.
In college, I worked several nights a week at the Help Sessions and I also did grading for a couple of semesters. These jobs gave me some experience with instruction before going into teaching. I learned early on the amount of patience teaching would entail.
Eric Langevin '02
I am a Mathematics Teacher at Essex High School in Essex, VT. I absolutely love it. I teach Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. In addition, I am taking a few courses through the University of Vermont to finish up my master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.
Saint Michael’s helped me prepare for the real world. It provided me with a strong mathematics and education background. The professors were caring people who taught me not only what is important in math, but what is important in life. The professors also provided opportunities for me to meet people in local schools and make important ties.
Patty Fogarty Clemons '01
I am currently a Mathematics Teacher at South Burlington High School. I teach five classes each year and have one duty, whether it be supervising a study hall or tutoring students in the math science enrichment center.
Saint Michael’s was a great school for me to go to because it helped me to grow mathematically. Going to Saint Michael’s also opened the door to graduate school at the University of Vermont where I earned my master's degree in math. The math program at Saint Michael’s strengthened my math skills and gave me all the knowledge I would need to teach. It also showed me how to work with other people and how to work with teachers. The teachers were there for me all the time so I strive to do the same thing for my students.
Jennifer Hartell Christiansen '00
I am currently a 7th grade Mathematics Teacher at Winman Junior High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. I have taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. I am also graduate school at Providence College where I am studying to become a school guidance counselor.
My mathematics education from Saint Michael’s has provided me with a very strong mathematical foundation. I do not necessarily use the higher level mathematics in my teaching, but it has strengthened my understanding of the subject matter that I do teach and therefore makes it easier for me to teach my students. My mathematics education has also been helpful in discussing concepts and ideas with some of my colleagues. Saint Michael's has a very good reputation and often times helped me stand out when applying or interviewing for jobs when being compared to other applicants from larger colleges and universities.
Lisa Keller '93
I am an Assistant Professor in the Research and Evaluation Methods Program in the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Before this, I taught math in grades 7-12 for four years. I went back to graduate school and received a doctorate in psychometric methods and a master’s degree in mathematics and statistics. Then, I got a job at the University of Massachusetts, in which I teach statistics to social scientists and pursue research in psychometrics. My primary research focus is applying mathematical models to response data from large-scale assessments.
I love my job, and I know that my education at Saint Michael's College helped me attain my goals. The small classes and availability of professors encouraged me to deepen my mathematical skills and to give me the confidence necessary to pursue doctoral level study.
Jon Matte '91
I am Chair of the Mathematics Department at Greens Farms Academy, a K-12, independent day school in Connecticut. After graduating as Valedictorian from Saint Michael's, I completed a master’s degree in mathematics from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo and was a full-time mathematics instructor at Sacred Heart University. Since then, I have been a mathematics teacher and department chair at GFA. I have presented at numerous conferences in such pedagogical areas as magic and card/number-based tricks. My other passion is lateral-thinking "Puzzle Hunts" (like the MIT Mystery Hunt).
When looking back at my time at Saint Michael's, I realize that it was mostly the interaction with the faculty and students that helped me confirm that I wanted to teach. Overall, I received a good mindset to troubleshoot, remain calm, and think things through. My advice to those seeking a career with a mathematics degree is: Find some corner of the math world, and explore and be passionate about at least that one thing.
See Jon's profile on the Mathematics Association of America Web site.