Every day of the week during lunchtime mathematics assistant professor Mary Beth Rollick can be found in White Hall's Instructional Resource Center lab helping a handful of students with math problems. Rollick, a 2007 alumna of the College's Curriculum and Instruction doctoral program, teaches Basic Math Concepts I and II to undergraduate and graduate teacher education students. "The Basic Math Concepts courses require more than just how to do mathematics problems; they require students to deeply understand the fundamental concepts of mathematics, including why things work as they do," she said.
Rollick was teaching an afternoon class this semester in White Hall when she was surprised by a number of familiar faces entering the room. Former award winners, colleagues and administration presented her with a letter, balloons and treats for her students to celebrate her award.
Rollick has a gift for helping students understand and enjoy mathematics. "I'm not good at math, but Dr. Rollick makes me want to learn it. She's a great teacher," said Tammy Kaehne, a graduate student in the College's Master's of Arts in Teaching, Early Childhood program. "She is one of two teachers that was able to get me to love math," said Leesa Boyer, a junior Intervention Specialist, Mild to Moderate student.
"I love teaching because I have the privilege of influencing future teachers. It is very satisfying to hear a student say that they understand the mathematics and that they enjoy mathematics now because they understand it... I am grateful to the students and to my colleagues for this honor," said Rollick.
