Tag Archives: Math Teachers

Teachers who specialized in math.

Erin Oban: The junior high school math teacher who serves in her state House of Representatives

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Erin Oban

North Dakota’s Erin Oban, former junior high school math teacher who now serves in her state’s House of Representatives.

Many gifted classroom teachers also make excellent lawmakers. One example of this is Erin Oban, a junior high school math teacher who has been elected to the North Dakota State Senate.

Erin was born July 25, 1982, in Ray, Williams County, North Dakota. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Mary.

After her college graduation, Erin was employed as a mathematics and technology teacher at Cathedral School in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota. There she had a reputation among her 7th and 8th grade students for being genuine, hardworking, and kind. “I think one of her most admirable qualities is her authentic support. I never felt uncomfortable asking a question or embarrassed to speak up, because she always made me feel like my contribution to the class was important and appreciated,” remembered former student Danielle Finn. “Most importantly, (Mrs.) Oban took the time to listen to me whenever I wanted to be heard. She would come early to answer questions and stay late for those who needed help. She truly wanted all of her students to succeed, not just at school but also in life,” Danielle concluded.

In 2014, Erin was elected to the North Dakota State Senate on the Democratic ticket to represent the 35th District. In the Senate, her interest in matters relating to education has not decreased. The former classroom teacher serves on the Education Committee, the Judicial Committee, and the Committee for Employee Benefits Programs. She also serves as the Chairman of the Education Policy Committee.

In addition to her legislative role, Erin is the Executive Director of Tobacco Free North Dakota, a nonprofit organization. She helped pass a bill last year banning e-cigarette sales to minors.

Erin Oban: a true Chalkboard Champion.

Sekou Biddle: Talented elementary school teacher and politician from Washington, DC

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Sekou Biddle

Sekou Biddle: Talented elementary school teacher and politician from Washington, DC

There are many fine examples of talented classroom teachers who go on to become influential in local politics. One such teacher is Sekou Biddle, an elementary school teacher and politician from Washington, DC.

Sekou was born and raised in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. His parents, who both worked for the federal government, stressed the importance of education, and they made sure Sekou went to quality public schools. The youngster attended Woodrow Wilson Senior High School in Tenleytown, a historic neighborhood in Northwest, DC. There he played sports, including football, basketball, and crew. He also dated the valedictorian, whom he later married.

Following his high school graduation, Sekou attended Morehouse College, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Once he earned his degree, Sekou accepted a position as a fifth and sixth grade teacher at an elementary school in the Bronx borough of New York City. The job fulfilled his obligation to the Teach for American program. Later, Sekou accepted a teaching position at an elementary school at Atlanta, Georgia. In 2005, he moved back to Washington, DC, where he taught math for the Knowledge is Power Program. Eventually he was named the Director of Community Outreach for the Knowledge is Power organization.

When he decided to throw his hat into the political ring, Sekou ran for and won a seat on the District of Columbia State Board of Education. He served in that capacity for four years. When his term expired, he became the Executive Director of Jumpstart for Young Children, a nonprofit organization that prepares youngsters to enter elementary school. He worked there for four years. Since 2012, Sekou has been employed as the vice president of the United Negro College Fund, where he oversees the advocacy platform that builds coalitions and supports education reforms.

Mathematics teacher Louis Leithold revolutionized the teaching of calculus

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Louis Leithold

Mathematics teacher Louis Leithold revolutionized the teaching of calculus.

Every once in a while an educator comes along who completely revolutionizes the way his or her subject is taught. This is true of mathematics teacher Louis Leithold of California, who completely revolutionized the instruction of calculus in American high schools and universities.

Louis was born on November 16, 1924, in San Francisco, California. As a boy, he was academically gifted. He attended Lowell High School, an elite public school that accepted only the brightest students in the city. He later worked his way through the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Mathematics.

In 1968, Louis published The Calculus, a volume which soon revolutionized the teaching of calculus. The book was instantly a blockbusting best-seller, and became the launching pad for Louis’s instructional workshops where he taught his innovative methods to other calculus teachers. One of the people Louis greatly influenced was Jaime Escalante, a legendary educator at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Escalante’s experience as a calculus teacher of inner-city minority students is portrayed in the highly-acclaimed movie Stand and Deliver (1988).

During his long and distinguished career as an educator, Louis taught at numerous institutions, including California State University, Los Angeles; the University of Southern California; Pepperdine University; Phoenix College in Arizona; and the Open University in Britain.

When Louis was 72 years old and had already retired from teaching at the university level, Louis inaugurated a calculus program at Malibu High School in Malibu, California. He taught there for eight years. Each year, before the AP test, Louis assigned two to three hours of homework every night. He also held marathon training sessions at his home on Saturdays and Sundays. His teaching methods were praised for their liveliness, and his love for his subject was well known. And the success of his efforts could be statistically documented. While the national average score on the AP exam is 3.01 on a 5-point scale, Louis’s students averaged an impressive 4.5.

Sadly, this talented educator passed away on April 29, 2005, from natural causes. He was 80 years old. You can read more about Louis Leithold in his obituary in the Los Angeles Times at this link: Leithold LA Times.

Teacher, veteran, and Kentucky State Representative DeWayne Bunch

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DeWayne Bunch

Teacher, veteran, and Kentucky State Representative DeWayne Bunch.

I am always eager to share stories about fine educators who have served our country in our armed services and in politics. One such teacher is DeWayne Bunch of Kentucky. In addition to serving in the National Guard, DeWayne also served in the Kentucky State House of Representatives.

DeWayne was a teacher of science and math at Whitley County High School in Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky, for seventeen years. DeWayne was also a member of the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years. The intrepid teacher completed a tour of duty in Iraq, where he served as a first sergeant. His valor there earned him a Bronze Star.

A multi-talented individual, DeWayne was elected in 2010 to the Kentucky State House of Representatives. There he represented the 82nd District. As a legislator, he served on House Committees for Education, Veterans’ Affairs, and Transportation.

Sadly, DeWayne’s story does not have a happy ending. One morning in 2011, while the former soldier was at school, a brawl between two students broke out in the cafeteria. DeWayne was the first of three faculty members who rushed in to quell the fray. Unfortunately, DeWayne took a direct punch meant for another student, and was knocked to the floor. He hit his head on the hard surface, and sustained severe head and spinal cord injuries. DeWayne was rushed to the nearest hospital. and spent the next year in extensive rehabilitative therapy. Because of his condition, DeWayne resigned his position in the Kentucky House of Representatives. His wife, Regina Bunch, a special education teacher at Whitley County Middle School, was elected to fill his vacated position.

DeWayne died as a result of his injuries just over a year after his accident, on July 11, 2012. He was only 49 years old. Our country lost a true hero and chalkboard champion that day. To read more about this amazing man, see this 2011 article published in the Lexington Herald Leader: State Rep Bunch Critically Injured.

Alaska teacher and State Senator Jan Faiks

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Jan Faiks

Alaska teacher and state senator Jan Faiks working with her llamas.

Talented classroom teachers often go on to have successful careers in politics. One teacher who proves this to be true is Jan Faiks, a math teacher and school counselor who served in the Alaska State Senate.

Janice O. Faiks was born on November 17, 1945, at Mitchel Air Force Base in New York. As a young girl, she attended Choctawhatchee High School, where she graduated in 1964. After her high school graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Florida State University in 1967. She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in 1975.

After college, Jan taught mathematics and worked as a school counselor in the Anchorage School District. She worked there from 1968 to 1978. In addition to her work in the classroom, the educator was well known for operating a llama farm.

In 1982, Jan was elected to the Alaska State Senate on the Republican ticked. She served two terms, and became the first woman president of the Alaska State Senate. While there, her biggest claim to fame was that she was one of the key legislators to create the Constitutional Budge Reserve, a savings fund for surplus tax revenues that could be used in times of economic downturn.

After her service in the state senate, Jan moved to Washington, DC, where she earned a law degree from Georgetown Law Center. She worked for several years as a Congressional staff member. She also served briefly as an assistant secretary with the Mine Safety and Health Administration at the US Labor Department. Finally, she became a lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). She retired in 2013.

After her retirement, Jan relocated to Amelia Island, Florida. There the former teacher was diagnosed with brain cancer, and five months later passed away on April 10, 2017. She was 71 years old. You can read her obituary at Anchorage Daily News.