When I taught high school math, I always told my students that I would try to explain the lessons in language that they could understand and if there were any shortcuts available, I would teach those. Also, if possible, we would do the calculator computations if possible. I tried to emphasize different methods of solutions, if there were more than one. Also, if a student didn't understand an explanation, I tried to give another example that might be better understood. For half of my 30 year career, I taught in the lower income demographic communities. Therefore most of the academic work had to be accomplished in the classroom setting since the home environment was very poor. My emphasis was on utilizing the tools that math gave them. The internet now makes available all of the information and data, but if the student does not know how to apply it, the information is of little use. Thus, my emphasis was on the application of the information.

I taught in Illinois for 22 years mainly at Cahokia High School, Cahokia, IL, a blue collar demographic region. At Cahokia, I taught Algebra and Geometry, but also taught Spanish I & II, since I am certified in this field also. From Cahokia, I went to Riverview Gardens High School in North St. Louis County for two years. This school was demographically low income and my first year was spent working with At-Risk students. The 2nd year I taught Algebra and Geometry to regular classes. The following year, my husband and I moved to Clinton, MO, where we had planned to retire. I taught All junior and senior high math classes for two years at Calhoun School District and two years at Montrose School District before retiring in June 2009. For the next 2 years I did substitute teaching at the Lakeland and Clinton school districts. Last year I tutored 2 friends and a former student at the Community College and High School levels. I enjoyed the tutoring much more than the substitute teaching. I have a lifetime certificate in Math for Missouri and a 30 year for Spanish, but would rath