TEACHER'S CORNER: MATH TEACHER USES RELEVANT LESSONS TO REACH STUDENTS

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City teacher David Black doesn't dread coming to work each day. In fact, the seven-year veteran math instructor said he enjoys his job because he gets to pass on positive educational experiences to students.

"School was a very positive experience for me, so I do my best to make it a positive experience for my students," he said. "Many students do not have positive interactions with adults. As important as I feel the mathematics are, I think the most gratifying part is to hopefully be that type of positive influence on kids."

Black, who received bachelor's and master's degrees from Southeast Missouri State University, said he tries to use as many nontraditional lessons in his class as possible. Students enjoy lessons relevant to their small world, he said. For example, geometry students find the height of the school flagpole by measuring its shadow and using similar triangles, and practical math students learn how to analyze data by conducting a survey of the entire junior and senior high schools.

"I think it's great anytime material can be reinforced outside of the classroom," he said.

Teachers don't enter their profession for glamour and glory, but it's always nice to receive recognition from students, said Black. The occasional recognition is very uplifting, he said.

"I once had a student tell me he didn't like math until after having me as a teacher," he said. "These types of comments are very motivating for teachers."