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Interview - Teacher
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Scholar Search Associates - Clinton, CT
(860) 664-3586  |  email us

Brooks School -
8 Questions for Myles J. Richard
12/2008
Teacher of: Mathematics

Years at (School): 31

1. What other activities and/or duties do you have at your school other than teaching?

Head Coach - 1st Soccer (Boys)31 years; Advisor; IVth Form Head (Class of '11); Day Student Master; Richard F. Holmes Chair, Mathematics


2. What has been one of your most memorable teaching experiences at the school?

Our Advanced, Accelerated Honors Program that I have been teaching for about fifteen years has been incredibly exciting. We take the very best of our students at the end of Algebra 2 and put them together in a two year course that covers Pre-Calculus and AP BC Calculus. I teach from a Tablet computer and use a great deal of technology to help present complex topics. The pace is very quick and the students do an extraordinary amount of work. Almost all end up with '5's on the AP Exam in the second year. The sophistication of the class discussions is truly amazing, as many of these kids will go on to careers in the maths and sciences.I find that I am constantly learning from them and they are pushing themselves as any great team would. By the end of the two years each group ends up as close a team as any of my soccer teams do. It is a very intense and satisfying experience for all involved. Those who complete the two years before their senior year can take Multivariate Calculus, Engineering, Statistics or an Independent Study in an area of their interest.


3. Describe one of your most interesting personal experiences at the school?

The kids here never cease to amaze me. Somehow, we keep attracting the type of young person that truly appreciates the experience. It still boggles my mind that at the end of every class nearly all of my students thank me as they walk out of the room. Most teachers here have that experience.


4. If you were able to teach any subject you want, what would that be and why?

I love teaching math, so I'm quite satisfied. But I've always wanted to teach a course in history about the period involving WWII. Those years from 1930 to 1950 did more to shape the present world than any two decades ever.


5. What do you feel is your school’s most positive asset?

We are profoundly devoted to taking care of kids. Brooks is a very close community, wherein students and teachers live together and actually enjoy each others company. Some of the best times I've had with kids have been out of the classroom and off the soccer pitch. Brooks feels different when you come on campus...everybody notices it. The students are generally happy and the faculty loves being here.


6. What advice would you give a new student at your school?

Seek out others, both peers and adults, to become connected. You will find the path to success here so much more satisfying.


7. If you weren’t teaching, what would you like to be doing?

At this point I can't imagine such a scenario.