The math department is experiencing some adjustments this year. Drew Fuller had a full schedule of one prep and six classes last year alongside another math teacher. That teacher then quit after last year. The district wasn’t able to hire another teacher to fill the position, so the current math teachers were asked to step in.

The schedule was “pretty hard” and it was “hard to give up prep,” Fuller explained. He said all of the math teachers knew that teaching extra classes was in their future. This change became more concrete in August after the job opening remained unfilled.

“On a day to day basis you’re kinda just going the entire time. So you really got to focus during your prep period,” Fuller said.

“There’s always frustrations,” Fuller jokes. He is concerned that now the six classes each math teacher is going to now be expected of them. The math teachers are compensated for their time teaching the extra class. “It’s a lot of work”, he expressed. “Mr. Mussetter and myself have kids who are really young and we’d like to spend time with those kids.”

Nathaniel Mussetter also has a six period schedule this year. He is currently teaching the following: Programming, AP Calculus, two Honors Algebra 2 classes, and two Using Math classes. Using Math, formerly named Pre-Algebra, is geared towards real world situations.

In this class you can see students and Mussetter outside working. He says he gets a lot of exercise running from place to place while doing these math activities.

Mussetter has expressed that he was concerned about having to cut the programming class because of the unfilled position. Fuller agrees, saying, “I’d rather see you guys succeed and provide opportunity to classes for everybody instead of having to cut something.”

Mussetter says that although the six period day can be stressful,”It has made me more efficient in my work.” Every second counts when a teacher has one prep and he has figured out the “necessities” for his success. Mussetter, like most of the teachers here, is required to stay after school until 3:45 to help students as well.

Both Fuller and Mussetter are very worried that the math position isn’t going to get filled in the future. Mussetter talks to his students and advertises that, “We need more Math teachers!”