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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.[b] No one in honors doesn’t have a tutor or access to the curriculum.[/b] Anyway has not been a great part of Potomac.[/quote] NP. Hooded is absolutely not true. I’m a parent of an US Potomac kid who has no tutor and no older sibling or other access to the curriculum. So there’s at least one. There are a LOT of parents who try to push their kids in math when the kid is not ready, willing, and/or able. The math teaching at Potomac can be tough — it does require kids to advocate for themselves and seek help, which many are reluctant to do, and that’s not ideal. That said, I hear from parents with kids in college that they are very, very well prepared for college math classes. I agree with PP who said that the college process is part of the problem — we all seem to think that only kids who take “the most rigorous courseload” and have a perfect GPA has even a chance at anything other than community college. Earlier and More transparency about the application process would help, I think, but they see it differently. [/quote]
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