THE MATH DEPARTMENT (past and present)

Hey Breakthrough! My name is Daniel Bernal (Summers 2006-2009), and I'm coming back to teach for a fourth summer! I know that there is always more to learn, especially about teaching, so I am excited to teach math again this summer. I am finishing my junior year at Carleton College with a major in Math, and I am going through the process of becoming a licensed teacher! Some of my other interests include music, psychology, computers and logic puzzles. I look forward to working with all the bright students and teachers at BSP!

Hi everyone! My name is Noam Wiggs (Summer 2009), and I currently am a math major with education at the University of Minnesota. I love learning and have experience in Spanish, linguistics, classical guitar performance, and history. I recently studied in Ireland where I got the chance to travel and round out my education. I get a lot of enjoyment out of camping, traveling, cooking, taking care of animals, and just being outside or trying something new. I know that Breakthrough will teach me as much as I will teach the participating students, and I cannot wait to inspire students to learn while making new friends!

Hello students and families! My name is Jim Lee (Summer 2009), and I am majoring in math education and will be graduating at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point one year from now. My reason for choosing this major was because I found great enjoyment in helping students with their math. I also enjoy playing tennis and admire the outdoors.

My name is Tiffany Goodchild (Summer 2009), and I am currently a junior at Concordia University St. Paul with a mathematics major and teaching licensure for grades 5-12. I can remember going through middle school and struggling with math because I didn't understand it and it wasn't fun to me. But a great teacher helped me find the fun. I am looking forward to becoming a "great" teacher also and helping others find the fun in math. I was born and raised in Minnesota and I spend my free time working, dancing or watching football games.

I'm chris2 Pleasants (Summer 2007). I go to the University of Minnesota and I am studying to teach social studies. This summer, though, I will be teaching math, which I am really excited for because I will be able to show how math is more than just numbers. In addition to social justice, I really love eating food and watching TV to see what it has to say. I also love to talk a lot. One more thing you need to know about me is that I went to Central High School, so you will probably hear me telling you how awesome it is at least 6½ million times. I am so thrilled to get some real teaching experience this summer, and teaching classes that will hopefully inspire!

My name is Ryan Woessner (Summer 2007) and I am a Political Science and Spanish major at Stanford University in California. Originally from the Twin Cities, I cannot wait to be home to teach mathematics at BSP this summer. I have always been intrigued at how much even the simplest math can influence the greater world around us. Besides studying and enjoying the sun, I am also a world champion freestyle unicyclist. Being involved with unicycling has given me the opportunity to explore the world and to encounter people from across the globe. Much like the world of unicycling, I am teaching at BSP this summer to explore learning, to encounter new friends and to have a little bit of fun.

Hi everyone! My name is Marian Messing (Summer 2007) and I am a recent graduate of Mounds Park Academy. In the fall, I will be a first year student at Princeton University. I will be teaching math this summer, for which I am quite excited, because I love math and the abstract thinking it requires. In addition to math, I also enjoy following current events, playing clarinet, piano and guitar, playing soccer, running, and watching movies. I know that BSP will provide me with a myriad of opportunities to change others’ lives this summer, as well as allowing me to open up to other people changing my life.