Faculty Profile

Mathematics Instructor

Education/Degrees:

M.S. – Mathematics, Western Illinois University
B.S. – Mathematics Education, Western Illinois University

Classes Taught:

Campus and Community Involvement:

I am an active member of the Spoon River College Faculty Association (SRCFA). I currently serve on the Student & Academic Affairs Committee and the SRCFA Scholarship Committee.

About Me:

I spent most of my childhood in Beardstown, IL, and began my college journey at Western Illinois University. After spending some time at the University of South Carolina, I returned to WIU to complete my B.S. in Mathematics Education. I then continued at WIU to earn my M.S. in Mathematics while also teaching undergraduate courses. After a few years of teaching at WIU, I joined the faculty at Spoon River College.

I am married to Brian Dalpiaz, who also teaches mathematics at SRC. We live in Lewistown, IL, with our sons, Elliot and Oliver. Outside of work, I love being a Mom and spending time with my family. I also enjoy watching movies, listening to stand-up comedy, attending live theatre, and organizing family photos.

Why Spoon River College?

My journey to Spoon River College began with my husband, Brian, who started teaching here in 1998. I joined the SRC faculty in 2005.

What do I love most about my job? My wonderful supportive colleagues and the meaningful connections I get to build with my students. The welcoming environment and small class sizes at SRC make it possible to truly get to know my students.

My Educational Philosophy:

Education empowers us to grow as individuals, broaden our perspectives, and discover new passions. I believe all students should be given the opportunity to explore and learn all subjects. Particularly in early education, students need the chance to learn at their own pace. My vision of an ideal early education system would group children by age for social development while allowing them to progress through academic content independently. This would remove age and the social pressure of being “held back” as barriers to learning.

In my own classroom, I strive to create an environment where students feel both comfortable and supported. Approachability is key; students must feel safe asking questions in order to engage and grow. I believe students are more likely to advocate for themselves in a welcoming and respectful learning space.

I maintain high standards for my students. I cover all required content, enforce deadlines, and expect students to give their best effort. At the same time, I recognize that life extends beyond the classroom. Students face personal challenges, and their well-being must come first. I support their growth by encouraging them to learn from their mistakes and by offering opportunities to recover from setbacks, such as a poor exam performance, so they can still be successful.

Teaching has always brought me joy, especially when I help others understand challenging concepts. I’ve found that the more I help students learn, the more deeply I understand the material myself. To continue improving as an educator, I aim to incorporate more structured opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, allowing students to explain and reinforce concepts together.

Advice for Students:

We all grow & bloom at our own pace. Everyone has their own unique journey. Prepare to pivot as plans change and do your best to keep things in perspective.