4 Responses for "The best math teacher I have ever had at Mesa College"

1. Rich D. November 11th, 2009 at 12:27 pm 1

   Hi blackcandy!

   I caught this from a Google on “tom teegarden” … You are absolutely right about him! I’m taking him for Calculus — Math 151 this Fall — but I think I will go and take Algebra and Trig from him, to learn all the theory and techniques I wasn’t taught before.

   I also agree with you about getting an A from him. It’s a simple formula… Take decent notes, ask a question if you have one, work (only) as hard as you need to understand and complete the “quiz” problems, and do a enough extra ones of each type before tests until you can do them quickly enough. You don’t even need to read a textbook! And yet, mysteriously, he has a reputation for being “way too hard” as a teacher. I think it is “sour grapes” from people who think/say that about him.

   Yes, Mr. T. is “retiring” in another year or two. But he told me that the plan now is that he will still be teaching a couple classes each semester, even then. He rigs the schedule so that if you start Math 150 with him in the Spring, you can keep going with him all the way through 255. (Not including Summers, and he doesn’t teach 254 anymore.) I think he said that will remain the case, but I’ll ask him again about it.

   Since you’ve had some Calculus before — albeit not in English — I would talk to him about if I were you… Your English seems good enough to me. He will probably sign a waiver for the pre-reqs. He did that for me (for other reasons).

   Ciao,

   -Rich

2. blackcandy November 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm 2

   Dear Rich
   I have never thought of this article will gain a reply, cauz I typed after I known his is going to retire and I don’t know if I could find another Math teacher like him!!

   Thanks for providing those information. I don’t talk to him that much.(wish I could.) I had sent an email to him about the waiver. This is the last semester I could study in Mesa. Hope I can skip Math141 to Math 150.(He doesn’t teach Math 141).

   I’m really glade you like him as I do. Final is coming, wish I could get at least an A from him.

   cheers,

   Ya-Ping

3. Rich D. November 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am 3

   Hi Ya-Ping!

   Well, I made that suggestion, assuming (based upon your post) that you’ve already done all the pre-calculus course work. (In Chinese, I’m guessing?) If you’ve had all those classes elsewhere, then why hold back? (Unless… maybe you didn’t do that well the first time?)

   I mean, if you understand his English well enough in 104, then you will understand it well enough in 150, right? :) You can probably fill in the gaps — the English terminology from Algebra that you’re unfamiliar with — from the textbook, the Tutoring center, and friends…. or just ask Mr. T.

   I take it from your Tags that you’re Taiwanese… is that correct? Do you have to go back home after next semester? Or are you going to be transferring to another school? Just curious.

   Best wishes,

   -Rich

4. blackcandy December 8th, 2009 at 5:46 pm 4

   Dear Rich,
   I registered Mr. T’s Math150 today, so happy about this and thank you again :)

   yes, I’ve taken calculus2 in my country, but all the result is terrible. I failed both calculus1 & 2 and retake 2 twice. Plus Math 150, I’ll be retaking calculus 1 twice too.(XD) but I’m really happy at this time though.

   Actually I’m not fully understand what he is saying during the class. (too many vocabularies and information) Most of the time I just take notes and review it while I’m doing the quiz. Beyond the language, math all the same.

   yes, I’m Taiwanese. How about you? After 2010 summer, I have to move up to Cupertino. There has is a college treat international student better than Mesa.

   ps. I asked Mr. T about you(trying to talk with him), but he said he doesn’t remember. Probably my pronounce is too bad(LOL)

   Ya-Ping