Introducing Novelty and Math Equations

By Mariah Lewis

You’re lost. You’re walking down a hallway trying to find the room you’re supposed to be in and the bell between classes is about to ring. When you finally do get to the classroom, you don’t know anybody and all the faces look unfamiliar. The names you catch here and there don’t stick and you basically feel completely out of your element. This sounds like the typical scene for students when they first begin attending classes at a different school; it’s almost clichéd…but what if you’re the teacher? The Interstate 35 Math Department has acquired a new teacher this year, and although his first day was probably considerably less dramatic than the scene previously described his originality in the classroom and fresh approach to math are innovative additions to our school community. The students in Mr. Messer’s class experience the elements of surprise on almost a daily basis.
“[The students] are not going to know what’s going to happen next” stated Messer. He keeps them guessing in the classroom with the introduction of math games including math Jeopardy and logic games.
“I’m going to contribute something new and exciting to the math program here” The novelty of Messer’s position is not entirely one sided. He is new to us but our district is also very new to him. Messer stated that he grew up in suburban Iowa and attended high school at Norwalk and college at Central College. He finished undergraduate school in December and has been substitute teaching for the past six months around the Carlisle/Norwalk area. He could be considered a bit of a novelty himself with interests in sports such as basketball (Messer is going to be coaching Middle School girls basketball this year), and snowboarding (he was once a snowboarding instructor at Sleepy Hallow sports park). He was attracted to the position here at I-35 because of our ideal size and location.
“I think 2A is perfect. I guess I really liked the location and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Interstate”. Messer said when he arrived, he felt nothing but welcome here at Interstate 35.
“Everybody here is family. It’s so nice and no school or teaching position has ever made me feel this welcome. I’d like to say thanks. Just thanks for making me feel so welcome” said Messer.