Shiloh Winders, a new geometry and Math 1 teacher, is the subject of this month’s Staff Spotlight. He grew up in the Bay Area, lived in San Rafael, and attended Sonoma State University. His love for mathematics began when he was a child.

   “As a kid, math was always easy and enjoyable for me,” said Winders “I didn’t decide to be a teacher until I was in my 20s, although I have always enjoyed working with kids as a coach and giving drum lessons.”

   Although as a young boy, his love for math was evident, it was not Winders’ first choice when he got to college.

   “For my undergrad I majored in Jazz Studies, playing the drums. I then switched to math for my teaching credential.  You’d be surprised how much math there is in music,” said Winders.

   Winders expressed his interest in music, sports, and mathematics at an early age.

“I didn’t become a rock star or a professional baseball player.  Math teacher was next on the list,” said Winders.

   This isn’t his first time up to bat, since Winders has been teaching for six years before he landed here. Just as he is new to the math department, he has been selected to tackle the task of teaching the new, integrated curriculum to incoming freshman.

   “The integrated math sequence, Math 1, 2, and 3, is replacing Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.  These transitional years are challenging but the incredible math teachers at the campus are working hard so that students can be successful with the new curriculum,” said Winders.

   Though he is facing a tough new challenge, Winders is optimistic; he knows the tasks that lie ahead will be difficult, but he is passionate about his work.

    “Teaching anywhere is more work than anyone realizes who hasn’t done it.  I’ve worked 8-hour days jack-hammering concrete but I’m more exhausted after my third period Math 1 class,” said Winders.

   Like most teachers, Winders believes and wants to nurture his students’ abilities. He leaves them with this quote, by Nick Saban, as  they kick off a new semester.

    “We’re not going to talk about what we’re going to accomplish, we’re going to talk about how we’re going to do it.”