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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Lots of misinformation here. I don't know how anyone objectively looking at the Potomac math faculty could state that anyone of them is unqualified. Here are their bios: [i]I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Middlebury College and have taught most high school levels, from beginner’s algebra to multivariable calculus and linear algebra. I believe that the salient features of math – its aura of abstract purity, its requirement of discipline, its worlds of thought to explore, and its offer of opportunities to find truth – make it not only good for the mind, but ennobling. This teacher also received a presidential commendation in 2022: https://www.potomacschool.org/academics/academic-stories/~board/pp-upper-school/post/most-influential-teacher-award I am a Northern Virginia native who graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Tech with a BS in mathematics. I also hold a Master’s Degree from Tech’s School of Education, where I was the Mathematics Education Student of the Year. Before coming to Potomac, I taught pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, algebra 2, and precalculus in various middle and high schools in Virginia, Illinois, and New Jersey. I hold a bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics from Xavier University, a master's degree in physics from the University of Rochester, and a J.D. from Georgetown University. I received my bachelor's degree in biochemical engineering from Duke University and have extensive experience with technology, and I especially enjoy working closely with colleagues to incorporate the use of technology in the classroom. In addition to my IT interests, I also enjoy a broad spectrum of activities, from drama to debate. I recently relocated from Houston, where I taught a wide range of IB and AP math courses at Lamar High School since 1997. I was a double major in Theatre and Mathematics at Grinnell College, and have pursued both professionally. I hail from Boston and have earned two degrees in secondary mathematics education--a bachelor’s from Boston University and a master’s from Framingham State College. After graduation, I worked for several years in a Massachusetts public school where I taught all levels of math, from Algebra 1 through AP Calculus. In 2007, I spent a year in Istanbul on a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship and taught high school math in a Turkish private school. I loved my time abroad, contracted the travel bug and, after a few years back in Massachusetts, took off for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spent three years teaching integrated and IB math at an international private school in Malaysia while exploring Southeast Asia.[/i] In our experience, our kids at Potomac have found math to be one of the most enjoyable areas of study. The teachers have been phenomenal, and we believe they are doing an excellent job preparing students in courses that range from Geometry to Multi-Variable Calculus and Linear Algebra. [/quote] Lots of misinformation above. Post assumes teachers are teaching. FYI running down math aptitude of students is not a good look. Also agree that no one in extended is getting into honors. I can think of zero kids every making that leap. Most honors kids fall into a few categories-sibling in older grade so they know the curriculum, kid who is years ahead by participating in outsourced math programs. No one in honors doesn’t have a tutor or access to the curriculum. Anyway has not been a great part of Potomac.[/quote] Post also assumes kids are doing the work and don't have parents who are pushing them into higher levels than they should be. Maybe kids aren't moving from extended to honors (although - that is happening regardless of what you say I know examples from this year) because the teachers have a pretty good sense of what is required and where the kids are. Honors math might not be for everyone. That's fine. But it doesn't indicate that the department isn't doing its doing its job. Everyone at Potomac has access to tutors (parents who can pay $50k a year for tuition, can pay $50 an hour for some additional tutoring). In addition, the MCC is staffed by students who have been chosen and who volunteer their time to helping students. At this kind of school, one would expect the kids in honors to be kids who are fairly serious about math and science. If you kid is not, perhaps extended is the right fit. There are plenty of kids in honors math classes. Don't condemn a department as faulty just because your kid isn't one of them or insinuate that kids that are in honors are only there because they are somehow cheating ("access to the curriculum"). Not a good look for you. [/quote]
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