| Division: | Mathematics |
| Education: | B.A., Rider University M.A., Temple University |
| Office: | LA 156 |
| Extension: | 3421 |
| E-Mail: | petersob@mccc.edu |
How did you land in math?
I originally had a degree in computer science. I liked computer science because the programming and the logic came naturally to me. But I went back to school after having my second child, and I started back at a county college, then went back and picked up a Masters in Math.
Tell us about some of your extracurricular activities you do with your kids.
I run a cub day camp, and the past couple of years I've done 2 weeks of summer day camp. I'm also a registered adult leader on committee for my older sons' troop. So it's a pretty heavy commitment with Scouts. Also I'm active with the Marching Band and I'm also a Lacrosse mom.
How do you deal with the students who fear math?
I think the students that come in that fear math have never had math explained at their terms. If you can relate to students, if you can get down to the level where the student is currently and bring them up to where they need to be, you tend to not hear "Why do I need this?". You tend to not hear "Why am I taking this?" "Why do I have to?" I don't get a lot of "why" questions in the classroom unless they're asking why something works.
It doesn't matter whether it's basic math, whether it's an algebra course, or whether it's calculus. If you can explain it on their terms and at their level, it is something that anyone can grasp.
