Faculty Profile

Mathematics Instructor
Division Chair for Natural Science and Mathematics

Education/Degrees:

M.S. – Mathematics, University of South Carolina
B.S. – Mathematics, Western Illinois University

Classes Taught:

Campus and Community Involvement:

I am currently an active member of the ACE (Advocates of College Enrollment) Team, Insurance Committee, and Spoon River College Faculty Association. I have also been involved with various other committees and activities at SRC and coached Lewistown Park District basketball teams for ten years.

About Me:

I was born and raised in Beardstown, Illinois, and graduated from Beardstown High School before earning my bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Western Illinois University. After completing my degree, I married Sarah Kessler, and we moved to South Carolina, where I earned my M.S. in Mathematics from the University of South Carolina. After graduate school, Sarah and I moved back to Illinois to be closer to family, and I began teaching at Spoon River College.

Both of my parents were high school teachers for nearly 30 years, and I’ve always appreciated the kind of upbringing that gave me, where education was valued and my parents were able to be involved and influential in so many areas of our lives. That example left a lasting impression on me and played a major role in my decision to teach.

Sarah and I now live in Lewistown with our two sons, Elliot and Oliver. She also teaches math at SRC. We enjoy spending time together as a family and staying involved in our boys’ lives. Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing and watching sports (especially basketball and golf), solving problems, playing games, watching good movies, sitcoms, and stand-up comedy, working with photos and videos, listening to music, reading, and learning.

Why Spoon River College?

After completing my M.S. in Mathematics at the University of South Carolina, Sarah and I moved back to Illinois to be closer to family. I accepted a position at Spoon River College with the initial thought that it might be temporary until I found something more lucrative. However, it didn’t take long to realize that SRC was where I wanted to be, and I’ve now been a part of the college for nearly thirty years.

While at SRC, I have greatly appreciated and enjoyed my time working with great colleagues and students who truly care about learning and recognize the importance and impact of quality education. The supportive, tight-knit community at SRC creates an environment where meaningful relationships and impactful teaching thrive. It is extremely rewarding to be part of a team that genuinely cares about student success.

This has also been a great family career, SRC has given me the flexibility to stay involved in my kids’ lives, taking them to school, coaching their sports teams, and being present for their milestones. It’s a place where I can make a difference while also living the life I value.

My Educational Philosophy:

As a mathematics educator, I consider it both my responsibility and privilege to cultivate genuine understanding of mathematics among my students. Rather than simply providing students with a recipe for solving math problems, I prioritize comprehension. My goal is for students to grasp the underlying concepts and principles behind mathematical methods and models, comprehend mathematical relationships and the derivation of formulas, and recognize and appreciate the practical applications of mathematics in the real world.

Nothing is more rewarding to a teacher than when students make connections and have their “ah-ha” moments. My aspiration is for students to not only acquire mathematical knowledge, but also to effectively apply it. I wish to instill in them an appreciation for mathematics and its significance in our daily lives. Through my own educational journey, I’ve come to recognize the profound insights that a solid understanding of mathematics can provide, and it is important to impart this perspective to my students.

As a mathematics instructor, my purpose extends beyond preparing students for future academic pursuits in mathematics and science. I also aim to equip them with strong analytical and problem-solving skills that will enhance their ability to navigate their world. I aspire for the education students achieve in my classroom to serve as a catalyst for success in all their future endeavors. It is extremely rewarding to learn about the success and accomplishments of former students and to know that I played a role in their education.

Advice for Students:

Stay curious, strive to understand, and never stop learning. Question everything, challenge all assumptions, and seek to truly understand. Curiosity is the catalyst of meaningful learning, enhancing personal growth and leading to a more fulfilling life. Learning is a lifelong journey that opens your mind, enhancing your perspective and ability to adapt in a constantly changing world.

Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Recognize that limitations often exist only in our own minds. Don’t make the mistake of identifying yourself by your failures. With the right attitude, effort, and focus, I guarantee you will prove to yourself that you are far more capable of much more than you realize.