When it comes to the high schools math classes, the opportunities are seemingly endless. To keep up with this, Spring Hill has seven math teachers. This is the most teachers in any one subject, so which teacher is which? How different are they all? To help keep it straight, each teacher has given a small excerpt of information about themselves, so hopefully they will become more than just “Ms. or Mr. Teacher” for many.

Name: Karla DeCoster

Classes: College Algebra, Calculus, and Gifted Studies

Years Taught: 19 

Homework Policy: The first deadline to turn in homework is the quiz, and the final deadline is the day before a test. If a student gets >75%, full credit will be given.

Why Math Matters: “In general, it is helping us see the process it takes to get from step 1 to step 5 and know that there are certain things that have to happen before others.”

Name: Donna True

Classes: Algebra and Geometry

Years Taught: 30+

Homework Policy: Late work will be accepted up until the day of the quiz.

Why Math Matters: “Math is in everything we do: not just the numbers, but being able to problem solve what you know and figure out what you don’t know.”

Name: Brent Smitheran

Classes: Geometry and Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry

Years Taught: 26

Homework Policy: Geometry has daily work that is required to be completed, and trigonometry has no homework.

Why Math Matters: “Math is everywhere. If you have an understanding of math, you will better understand the world around you.”

Name: Heath Ostmeyer

Classes: Statistical Reasoning, Algebra 1, and Contemporary Math

Years Taught: 20

Homework Policy: Some work should be completed in class, some outside of class, but it is referred to as practice problems and depends on the day. It often isn’t worth points.

Why Math Matters: “It is a great way to practice critical thinking skills and logical reasoning.”

Name: David Provost

Classes: Algebra 1 and 2

Years Taught: 24

Homework Policy: There are assignments due at the end of the next day but no late work penalties. All must be completed for retakes.

Why Math Matters: “Math matters because it is designed to make complicated things simple by using logic and reasoning to prove ideas true. It is a true constant in the universe.”

Name: Stephanie Hojnacki

Classes: Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra 2

Years Taught: 17

Homework Policy: In honors geometry it is required and 10% of the grade. In Algebra 2, it’s optional and a 5% weight.

Why Math Matters: “It applies to everything. What stresses students out is that they don’t see every application all the time, but every day you apply something mathematically.”

Name: Emily Peak

Classes: College Algebra, Algebra 2, and Geometry

Years Taught: 21

Homework Policy: College Algebra and geometry have required homework — following the same kind of policy as DeCoster — and Algebra 2 has no required homework.

Why Math Matters: “You’re not going to use every skill you learn in math, but you have to know how to problem solve. Nobody will be there to give you a hint in the real world, so it teaches you important skills even for careers you wouldn’t expect.” 

Name: Luke Zuroske

Classes: Algebra 1, Geometry

Years Taught: 3

Homework Policy: For geometry, students have up until the test, and for algebra they have until the end of the year since most kids need to make it up by the end to retake and get their grade up.

Why Math Matters: “It helps you problem solve. It helps you think your way through a problem critically and analyze it.”

(All photos by Lenore Pinkerton)