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Kathleen Almy
Biography
I'm originally from Marion, Illinois, in the heart of Southern Illinois. I attended Southern Illinois University where I received a B.S. in Math Education. After graduation, I married my college sweetheart, David. He is from Murphysboro, near Carbondale. He still says dating me was one of his best decisions, since it provided him a free math tutor for 4 years while he studied to be a civil engineer.
We then moved to Northern Illinois to find work. I taught high school math at Geneva High school. I decided high school teaching was not for me and went to Northern Illinois University to pursue a M.S. in Pure Mathematics. During that time, I taught part time for some local community colleges as well being a teaching assistant at NIU. After graduation, I decided to teach high school math again, this time at Polo High School. It was a very positive experience but at the end of the school year, I saw an opening for a math instructor at RVC and that was it! I began my full time college teaching career here at RVC and have never been happier.
In the process, I've had two beautiful children, Emma and Will. They keep me extremely busy, but also very happy.
Photos
In the fall of 2005, my husband and I took a trip to Talladega, Alabama to see a NASCAR race. Guess who we root for?
Instructional Focus:
My goal as a mathematics instructor is to create an active learning environment in my classroom. I enjoy using hands-on and group activities. I believe that the only way a person can learn math is to do math! I also want to push my students past skill-based learning. Most people think taking math classes is a waste of their time. I understand this when a student claims they will never factor a binomial when they become a psychologist. So, to help my students appreciate mathematics, I try to incorporate as many "real world" activities and examples as I have time for. I also try to show my students the inherent beauty of mathematics. After all, just because we can't use a certain idea in our lives on a daily basis doesn't mean that the idea has no value.
College Service:
Currently, I serve on the Sabbatical Leave committee and various departmental committees. I helped develop the Math Lab in Fall 2007. I also serve as the developmental math coordinator.
Professional Organizations:
I am a member of the following organizations. Click on the links to see the organization's website.
NCTM - National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
AMATYC - American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges
IMACC - Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges
Phi Delta Kappa - Educational Honor Society
Golden Key National Honor Society
Hobbies & Interests:
Fitness - I am very committed to fitness. I primarily use fitness videos so I can workout at home. These aren't your average videos-many are extremely intense. I also run and completed a 5K in 2003. Below are some of my favorite fitness Web sites:
videofitness.com
cathe.com
Cooking - I love to cook! This hobby keeps me committed to my fitness hobby. But, I have learned to cook light and healthy. I love the Food Network and their website, which has free recipes.
foodnetwork.com
Entertainment - Because I have children, I'm home a lot and the television is on a lot (probably too much!). From Feb - Nov, we avidly watch NASCAR races. The rest of the year, we watch a lot of sports and various other programs. Here's a terrific, funny site to keep you up to date on all of your shows with plenty of snarking for fun.
Television Without Pity
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