This is a version of a letter I give my class each semester so they can get to know me. I usually ask them to send me a letter telling me about themselves in return.
Class
I wanted to let you know a little about me as your math instructor this semester.
I have been a full-time associate professor here at Palomar College for over 26 years, and have taught math for over 29 years now. I started out teaching math and physics at a private high school and then realized teaching at the college level was a great opportunity, so I took it.
I struggled in school while I was young but then something clicked and I realized if I worked hard I could do anything. I fell in love with teaching while in high school tutoring my friends in math. It was so fun to see my friends get a concept or skill for the first time. After teaching at the high school level for a couple of years I finished my Master’s degree in mathematics at California State University Long Beach. I started teaching at CSULB while a graduate student and continued after I graduated. I taught for a couple years at various community colleges in Orange County before I came to Palomar College to start a full-time position.
I still love teaching and helping students learn math. In general, I believe our math classes are a great way to challenge students to think and communicate at a high level. I look forward to working with you this semester and seeing you grow in these areas. I am a little crazy and try to share my often-silly jokes with the class. I can be sarcastic so just remember that I like to have some fun in class so that we are not all bored to death.
Outside of school, I am married to a wonderful wife who is the women’s life group pastor at our church and an amazing mom to our kids. Our kids are Rosemary who is a freshman here at Palomar and Will who is now married and working full time. We all attend North Coast Church in Vista where my wife and son work.
Besides school I also author a few math textbooks including some that I use here at Palomar College. Although I do not consider myself to be a pure mathematician, I really try to help my students see the applications of mathematics and how it is used in different ways in real life around them.
Beyond math I love to ride my bike and often ride to work. I enjoy riding my bike with friends as well as with my son and daughter. This year I road my bike from the Canadian border to the Mexico border. This was an amazing adventure and I learned quite a bit about myself along the wat. Over three summers my son Will and I hiked the entire John Muir Trail starting in Yosemite Valley and finishing atop Mt Whitney, including a side trip to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. My daughter and I did parts of the JMT over a couple of summers. I also like photography and cooking. My wife and I like to entertain and have fun cooking great meals.
Dark chocolate is of course the only chocolate. I try to always have chocolate in my office for anyone who comes by to get help or just visit.
I look forward to getting to know you this semester and hope that we can work as a team to help you succeed in this class and beyond.
I have been a full time associate professor here at Palomar College for 21 years, and have taught math for over 24 years now. I started out teaching math and physics at a private high school and then realized teaching at the college level was a great opportunity, so I took it.
I struggled in school while I was young but then something clicked and I realized if I worked hard I could do anything. I fell in love with teaching while in high school tutoring my friends in math. It was so fun to see my friends get a concept or skill for the first time. After teaching at the high school level for a couple of years I finished my Masters degree in mathematics at California State University Long Beach. I started teaching at CSULB while a graduate student and continued after I graduated. I taught for a couple years at various community colleges in Orange County before I came to Palomar College to start a full time position.
I still love teaching and helping students learn math. In general I believe our math classes are a great way to challenge students to think and communicate at a high level. I look forward to working with you this semester and seeing you grow in these areas. I am a little crazy and try to share my often-silly jokes with the class. I can be sarcastic so just remember that I like to have some fun in class so that we are not all bored to death.
Outside of school, I am married to a wonderful wife who is very active as our daughter’s Girl Scout troop leader, women’s Bible study leader and all around great mom. Our kids are Rosemary who is in 8th grade and Will who is in 11th grade. We all attend North Coast Church in Vista where my wife works in the high school ministry.
Besides school I also author a few math textbooks including some that I use here at Palomar College. Although I do not consider myself to be a pure mathematician, I really try to help my students see the applications of mathematics and how it is used in different ways in real life around them.
Beyond math I love to ride my bike and often ride to work. I enjoy riding my bike with friends as well as with my son Will. Several summers ago, we road 100 miles together down the coast of California. Over three summers my son Will and I hiked the entire John Muir Trail starting in Yosemite Valley and finishing atop Mt Whitney, including a side trip to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. I also like photography and cooking. My wife and I like to entertain and have fun cooking great meals.
Dark chocolate is of course the only chocolate. I try to always have chocolate in my office for anyone who comes by to get help or just visit. I sometimes have milk chocolate but you should know I do give you a hard time for not liking dark chocolate.
I look forward to getting to know you this semester and hope that we can work as a team to help you succeed in this class and beyond.
Mark Clark
