11th/12th grade Math Teacher

Phoenix Coding Academy

 

Courses Taught

Financial Algebra

Financial Algebra will use sophisticated mathematics to give you the tools to become a financially responsible young adult. The course employs algebra, precalculus, probability and statistics, calculus and geometry to solve financial problems that occur in everyday life. Real World problems in investing, credit, banking, auto insurance, mortgages, employment, income taxes, budgeting and planning for retirement are solved by applying relevant mathematics. Field projects, computer spreadsheets, and graphing calculators are key components of this course.

 

Pre-calculus

Pre-Calculus 1-2 is designed to prepare students for the study of calculus and is aligned with the Arizona Mathematics Standards. Concept units include functions, exponents, logarithms, analytic geometry, trigonometric functions and equations, triangle trigonometry, trigonometric addition formulas, polar coordinates, complex numbers, vectors, determinants, and sequences and series. Technology will play a large part in this course; especially hand-held graphing calculators. Depending on individual test scores, students may earn dual college credit for this course.

 

Who I Am

My name is Emily Bogusch, and I am on the 12th grade instructional team here at Phoenix Coding Academy.  This is my second year at PCA, and my 7th year in the Phoenix Union District.  My undergraduate degree is in physics from a small school in Iowa (Grinnell College).   I earned my Master's degree in science education while teaching physics at the University of Iowa.  Naturally, when I moved to Arizona to start my first K-12 teaching position, it was in... math.  I have taught math for most of my career, as well as English as a second language, educational psychology, and college physics. 

 

What I Do

My goal, no matter what course I am teaching, is to help students develop meta-cognitive skills, academic skills, and content knowledge:

• meta-cognitive skills: how strategies best help people learn? which strategies best help us (individually) learn?
• academic skills: how can we think critically and analytically about new ideas? what do we need to know for informational and digital literacy?  how can we use qualitative and quantitative reasoning to build knowledge?  how do we communicate effectively?
• content knowledge: what are the big ideas or theories of a field?  what techniques and strategies are used to build knowledge?  how does this knowledge help us better function in the world around us?

 

How to Contact Me

Please, help me to be a better teacher by periodically providing constructive feedback.  Here are some ways to start:

• I thought it was effective when you...
• I learn better when you...
• I'm still confused about...
• Can you explain this to me differently?
• What are the key ideas we need to take away from this activity?

Constructive feedback can be given during class or outside of it.  I will always try to acknowledge feedback, or address your specific concerns.  Sometimes I overlook an email or a concern; if that happens please let me know.  I try to return emails within 24 hours during the workweek.  Parents: the best way to contact me is via email, whether you have a quick question or you want to set up an appointment (phone/virtual).