Scott Beever , SBU Mathematics Alumnus

Scott Beever, 2003, and his wife, Melissa (Tribble) Beever, 2004.

"Currently, I am a Special Education Data Consultant at the Illinois State Board of Education in Springfield, Illinois. My primary responsibilities include assisting the data collection, analysis, and reporting for Special Education in Illinois to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations. This position has given me the opportunity to combine the experiences I gained at SBU in mathematics, education, and computer science.

Previously, I was a high school math teacher, and while I officially taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Applied Mathematics, these courses could have been titled "Problem Solving" courses. This was largely due to the emphasis that was placed on learning problem solving skills rather than just algorithms in the math and math methods courses at SBU. This background allowed me to remain focused on the intellectual thinking skills I wanted my students to be able to exhibit, rather than on just how to factor a trinomial for the upcoming exam.

I was also grateful for the department's commitment to students at SBU. Students are often invited to go to the professional meetings with the faculty and play "Set" at math game nights. This connection between the professors and students (in several departments, not just mathematics) distinguishes SBU from other universities. My suggestion to students who are considering a math major is to seriously consider SBU and to get to know your professors. Larger universities usually have professors whose commitment is to the success of their research; however, SBU's success lies in the success of its students. I always felt comfortable approaching one of my professors for extra assistance. Having professors whose main job was teaching helped me see examples of teaching excellence that I could reflect on during my teaching practice.

Finally, I am grateful for the department's commitment to integrate faith into the study of mathematics. Whether it was learning the"equation of the meaning of life" or how to pray for your students in a math methods course, I appreciated having professors who shared my commitment to Christ and showed me how I can be a professional, Christian educator. If any prospective students have any questions, they are welcome to email me at sbeever@gmail.com."

Scott Beever