NAME:
Mr. Bruce Becker
SCHOOL:
St. Joseph's School
CLASS:
7th Grade Pre-Algebra and 8th Grade Algebra
SCHOOL PHONE:
(651) 457-8550
Hello! It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to introduce myself
to you! My name is Bruce Becker and I am the mathematics teacher for the
junior high.
I grew up in the suburb of Crystal, on the other side of Minneapolis and
began my association with the Catholic schools when I attended Benilde-St.
Margaret’s High School in St. Louis Park. I then attended the University of
St. Thomas and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. After a year at the
Graduate School of Education, also at the University of St. Thomas, I accepted
a position for one year at a small Catholic School in Golden Valley, MN, a
school which has since closed. I have been here a St. Joseph’s School ever
since (This is my 23rd year! Where has the time gone?)
My education is continuing. I received my Master’s degree in Education from
the University of St. Thomas in 1990. I have worked as an intern with 3M
during two of my summers off (in the Marketing department and then again in
Research and Development - Polymer Extrusion Department), and have also worked
with the Minnesota Department of Education on development, field testing and
evaluation of items for the Minnesota Basic Skills Test. Many other summers
have found me chaperoning high school student trips to the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area in northern Minnesota. For five years, I was associated with the
U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In
2006, I was honored to be selected by Honeywell to be a part of the first
International Space Academy for Educators, one of only 16 teachers selected
worldwide. It was an experience which has had a direct benefit for our
students and also one which I will never forget.
In the summers of 2007-2009, I was employed by the U.S. Space & Rocket
Center as a teacher counselor. I taught "NASA’s Engineering Design Challenge
for Thermal Protection Systems" and a briefing on NASA's ARES program to
teachers from all over the world, including the Teachers of the Year from all
50 states! It was one of the most exciting opportunities ever. I am proud
to bring the richness of these experiences back to the students of St.
Joseph’s School!
Last summer, I was busy taking seven classes at the T.I.E.S. technology
center in Roseville, MN, on such subjects as ActivInspire software and its
uses with the Promethean Board, Word 2008 software, PowerPoint software,
Skype, and others.
This summer I had a hip replacement and was excited to learn that I have
been accepted into the Murray Institute cohort #27, and will be taking classes
through the University of St. Thomas (with 11 other archdiocesan math
teachers) on the development of mathematical concepts in middle school-aged
children. Just trying to stay ahead of "the wave!"
I live three blocks away from school with my beautiful wife Lisa, and my
good-for-nothing cats (three of 'em... what? Am I crazy?) My wife is the
German instructor at Cretin-Derham Hall. In fact, it is a thrill for me to
discover her teaching some of the graduates of St.Joseph’s School!
I wish to offer my sincere gratitude for the privilege of teaching your
children. I will do my very best to do honor to the trust you have put in me.
I used to get nervous about what my “life’s work” would be and where God would
lead me, but now am most joyful that he has led me here! I will put my heart
and soul into making this a place of learning and peace.
I hope to pass on my love of math to my students. I hope to provide a
high quality mathematics education to each of my students, reaching them at
their present level of development, and firmly urging them forward to greater
achievement, with a focus on application.
Mathematics is practical, beautiful, and great fun. It is my mission in
the classroom to inspire a new generation of students to love it as I do,
value its usefulness in their lives, and give them greater, more rewarding
choices in the career paths they will eventually choose.