Patti's World of Mathematics

It has always been my desire to teach. I was one of those weird kids who came home from school and "played school". It was in high school that I found my second love and that was mathematics. I attended Tift College in Forsyth, GA and in 1978 received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.

My first teaching position was at Gray Hill Elementary School in Troup County where I taught all the sixth grade students and 10 fifth grade students in a self-contained classroom (meaning I taught all subjects to both grades). The following year the sixth grade was moved to Troup Junior High School and I moved with them. There I taught sixth grade mathematics for 2 years. In 1981 I was given the opportunity to teach in the Gifted Program in Troup County. I remained in that position for 4 years.

I accepted another position in 1981 as an adjunct instructor in the Career Development Center at Troup County Vocational Technical School. In 1985 I took a fulltime position as Mathematics Instructor at Troup Tech which was later to become West GA Technical College.

Throughout my teaching career I have remained in the classroom as a student as well. In 1981 I completed a Master of Education degree at LaGrange College and in 1988 I completed a Specialist in Education degree at West Georgia College. I also earned certification in gifted education from Columbus College and completed a series of physics courses at Georgia Southwestern College. My last tour of duty as a student was at Columbus College where I completed my 18 graduate semester hours in mathematics.

I am a member of several professional organizations: Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Phi Delta Kappa, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and Professional Association of Georgia Educators. I am also quite active in the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education Mathematics Faculty Consortia. I served as the chair of the first Executive Board of that group and have been involved in writing the standards for almost all of the math courses offered by the GDTAE colleges.

On a personal note, I enjoy spending time with my family which includes nine nieces and nephews, ranging in age from one to sixteen (no, he is not allowed to drive my car). I am involved in the activities of my church. I like to jog (very slowly), ride my bike, roller blade, and lie on the beach. I have run a half- marathon (JUST ONE), run in several Peachtree Road Races, ridden my bike across Florida (the narrow part) a few times, and done a few other things my Mom does not like to hear about (white water rafting, parasailing, bungee chair, etc). Yes, there is life outside the classroom for teachers!

I love teaching and I love mathematics! I hope to have the chance to teach you!