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Stevens is Glenwood’s new math whiz
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .New seventh-grade math teacher Jeana Stevens struck a pose in her new Boardman Glenwood Middle School classroom on Sept. 15.
By SARAH FOOR
Before graduating from Girard High School in 2005, Boardman Glenwood Middle School’s new seventh-grade math teacher Jeana Stevens loved to tackle the problems in pre-calculus and calculus. As a teacher, however, she’s much happier to be tackling algebra.
“Algebra allows a lot more room for fun – I can do more projects this way and teach my students the theories in a creative way. Plus, algebra is the foundation for everything the kids will learn in high school. Giving them a solid preparation in the subject is really important to me,” said Stevens.
Stevens was always a natural at math, but it wasn’t until she took the math classes under Girard educator John Demas that she was inspired to make it a career.
“Most importantly, he gave me a basis of solid skills. But more than that, I always appreciated the way he constructed his class and his tests, and how he taught the processes we needed to know. He’s still teaching and I still contact him whenever I need a bit of advice in my own classroom,” Stevens shared.
After high school, Stevens attended Youngstown State University and earned a degree in secondary education and math. For two years, she held a long-term substitute position in Campbell schools, but only found her first permanent position when Glenwood offered her a welcome.
As her career blooms in Boardman, Stevens hopes to earn her students’ respect and give them a great understanding of math concepts.
“I know math isn’t a subject that comes across as fun and innovative, but I’m going to do all I can to give it that reputation,” Stevens said.