Agnes, Teacher (Scribe in the House of Life)

Dear Student,

    This letter is how I've chosen to introduce myself to you.  As a graded assignment you will do the same for me.

    Teaching mathematics to people is my vocation. Both mathematics and my students are important to me. I work hard at teaching and expect my students to work hard at learning. I'm a single parent, a full-time teacher, a landlord, an author, USCG Captain, an independent publisher, web master, and an educational consultant.

    I enjoy being at home, writing web pages, attending math meetings, watching videos & TV, reading, theatre, and playing with metal. My son, a captain, owns tug boats and works New York Harbor. He also owns a 130 pound Italian mastiff, so, I have a granddog.

    My black pickup truck has 95,000 miles and my home, computer & office window overlook Raritan Bay. I worked my way through college as a waitress and theatre technician. At that time I also learned to use power tools for building with wood. I have taught for a month or more as a math teacher in every grade form 5th through 14th and also teach teachers on occasion. My most unusual jobs were running followspot for the rock group Chicago, stage managing the drummer Buddy Rich, working as a deck hand on a tug boat and cruise boat, standing guard on a fireworks barge, and (unpaid) being the Math Lady at the MCC Day Care Center. I've spent New Year's Eve in the Upper Bay of NY Harbor, in Times Square, NY, and Trafalger Square, London.

    My office phone number is 732-548-6000 x 3952 and email is AAzzolino@middlesexcc.edu.
  .

    You won't find me on Facebook but, you may email me at home or contact me by using the message box on my semester web page. The button (above, at the left) will link to the semester page.

    Even if you are just stuck on the homework or wish to discuss how you feel in class, phone or email me.

    I consider speaking and writing about mathematics, mental computation, pencil and paper computation, and calculator computation to be important items. I discuss and demonstrate each and encourage you to learn to become proficient with each. You might regularly spend time in my office working on math or need to be in my office to retake a quiz.

    In the course, there are some graded assignments and also quizzes & tests, a last-day-of-class final exam. The MAT013A also has required computer assignments. Quizzes come in 3 flavors -- ALEKS quizzes (only in MAT013A), quick quizzes (unannounced and at the beginning or middle or end of class), and mastery quizzes (which may be retaken, one try per quiz per WEEK, until perfect papers are achieved). In precalc there is also a "project" (a short written & oral presentation). Yes, I do help with this.

    In this class, you will be talking and working with other students. One student called the class she took with me "the most user-friendly, interactive math class" she ever had. IF YOU ARE NOT AMIABLE TO THESE CONCEPTS, DO NOT REMAIN IN THIS SECTION: SWITCH TO ANOTHER SECTION.

    It is your responsibility to learn the material. It is my responsibility to make the learning process as productive as possible. If you miss a class or class is cancelled, it is your responsibility to do the work listed on the course outline. I will cover cancelled-class material in the next classes. You may need to see me in my office if you miss the class. For many students, math is a review course. Don't think that means it's easy. Homework is important. Do it. Stay with it. Be ready for a quiz when you enter the room. If you are not ready with book and notebook open when the class begins, you are late.

    Being a student is not an easy job. It is work. Plan time to attend class as well as time to work on the material outside class. If I can be of help, call me or see me in my office or after class.

    Tests are like job interviews made months in advance: Treat them as such. Don't miss a test. If you must miss a test, be sure I know about it as soon as you do. I DO NOT PERMIT MAKEUP TEST EXCEPT IN EXTREME CASES so do not plan on taking a makeup for a test or exam you miss. A missed test is a 0.

    The pace of the course is determined by the math department's course outline. If you wish me to slow down, restate what I've just said, write it in symbols, write it in words, explain it in a different way, STOP ME and ask if I would do what you wish! I do have some flexibility in how the material is presented.

    Have a good semester.

Other Announcements

Project Connections:    If you are a student with a learning disability and wish an accommodations or adaptive testing, please contact Project Connections, 732-906-2507, located in Johnson Learning Center, and provide me with the appropriate paperwork.

School Closing & Security:    If you have any questions or safety concerns, call the MCC Police Department at extension 2500 or call 911. To find out if school is closed use the weather phone number: 732-906-2555.

Your Graded Assignment Begins Here

1.     Now it's your turn to introduced yourself to me. Who are you? What are your non-math-class-worlds? Discuss how your roles in these worlds (family, home, work) might effect your performance in this class. Write about your math background. Tell me of your strengths, weaknesses, fears, and goals. Discuss how mathematics might play a role in your future. Tell me what I can do to help you achieve your goals for this class. Perhaps state where you sit in class and the color and length of your hair. If your reply is not complete enough, the grade of "I ," for incomplete, will be assigned and you will have to resubmit your letter with additional information.

2.     Read the "Grading & Cheating Policy" linked through the home page for your course. Include in your letter to me a statement that you "have read and understood the Grading Policy & Cheating Policy." Go through mathnstuff.com/math/math.htm or middlesexcc.edu/faculty/AAzzolino/mcc.htm to find the home page for your class.