» U.D. art teacher earns awards
The University of Dayon retirees had convened on June 15 at Panera Bread on Brown Street to socialize and catch up. When one of the retirees found out I was writing for the paper and was armed with a recorder and camera, he snuck out early. When I pointed that out one of the attendees quipped, “He’s on the witness protection program.” Seriously though, a few were very willing to open up about their careers and current situation.
The lone woman in the group, Carroll Schleppi, had a lot to say about traditional vs. modern ways of teaching math.
“Back then, we memorized everything and learned the ability to see patterns,” said Schleppi, a Kettering resident who taught math to engineering and education majors at UD and retired in 2001. “Now you can get students excited about math if you relate it to everyday life. They find out they solve problems every day, like finding out which key unlocks a door through the process of elimination.”
Schleppi is an accomplished visual artist who believes there is a major connection between art and the sciences. Referring to connections, two of the retirees combined forces to get everyone together that day. They were teasing each other as to who had put in the most work.
“Jerry Strange and I had met for lunch and decided to get everyone else together,” said Ben Rice of Centerville, who taught math for engineers and retired in 2000. “But I had to do all the drudgery of getting everyone’s contact information.”
Strange had also taught math for engineering technology for 40 years, and retired in 2000.
“I’m really his first lieutenant; Ben’s the big idea guy,” said Strange, a Centerville resident. “I just do small things like coming in early to put all these tables together. He walks in later and says, ‘This looks OK.’ ”
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One of the retirees sitting around that make-shift table was Richard Peterson of Kettering. He had a math career that spanned 57 years, taught business calculus and was promoted to associate dean of arts and sciences. Peterson, who’ll turn 86 in July, had actually taught five of those present during the initial stages of his career. One of those former students is Les Steinlage of Englewood.
“I had a few student business majors in a 3-year study group. When we took them to lunch after graduation, I asked them if they were going to work for a CPA or something like that,” said Steinlage, who still teaches part-time. “They giggled and said, ‘Oh no, we’re not going into business. You got us so excited about math, we’re going to teach it.’”
For a teacher, there’s nothing better than getting students excited about what you teach. Strange, who renovates historic homes and owns a 1961 Triumph, was the comic of the group.
“We’re having so much fun today, we’re anticipating getting together again within the next 10 years,” he said.
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