Helen Read

What I Do in the Math Department

Helen's picture

Teaching

As a full-time senior lecturer, my primary responsibility is to teach. Most semesters I teach about 12 credit hours, plus a 4 credit evening class, for a total of around 15 to 16 credit hours.

My area of expertise is in the use of technology in mathematics instruction. I piloted the use of graphing calculators in the applied calculus sequence (Math 19 and 20) in 1995, and began integrating the computer algebra system Mathematica into the Math 21-22-121 calculus sequence in 1996. Since 1998, I have been responsible for writing Mathematica lab assignments and related materials that are available for use in all sections of Math 21 and 22. I have also incorporated Mathematica into other courses, including Math 52 (our "transition" course for math majors/minors) and Math 173 (Combinatorics), and have successfully taught Mathematica to high school students at the Governor's Institute in Mathematical Sciences.

Service

I am the Webmaster for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (since 1996), responsible for the design and maintenance of the department's website.

I currently serve on the Vermont High School Prize Examination Committee (since 1991), and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics Computing Committee (since 2001). My colleague Larry Kost and I maintain the computers in the two Math "Cool Rooms" (31 computers in each of the two classrooms). I also enjoy helping colleagues with computer related questions/problems.

I previously served as the College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences representative to the Faculty Senate Student Affairs Committed (1998 - 2004).

Education, Awards, and Grants

I received an Instructional Incentive Grant (1998) for my work developing Mathematica lab materials for Calculus I and II.

I am a recipient of the Kroepsch-Maurice Award for Excellence in Teaching (1993).

I earned both my Master of Science in Mathematics (1988) and Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1984) from the University of Vermont.

I am a recipient of the John F. Kenney Award for Excellence in the Study of Graduate Mathematics (UVM, 1988) and the Mathematics Achievement Award (UVM, 1984). I was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Vermont Alpha Chapter in 1983.