C.W. Post 1999 Salutatorian Aims to Erase the Stereotypes
of Mathematics - "It's not just for boys,"
says Jill Kahan of Dix Hills
Today's teachers face numerous challenges, but mathematics teachers
are faced with even bigger obstacles in an effort to relate to their students
the benefits of an often arduous curriculum.
According to Jill Kahan, 22, a resident of Dix Hills and a senior mathematics
education major at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville,
"Many students feel that math is boring, it is all memorization, and
that math is only for boys. In my opinion, some of these stereotypes come
from certain teachers who subconsciously lead students to this thinking.
I want to help students learn by showing them how interesting math can
be and how it relates to their everyday lives." She added, "I
want to be an example for my students."
Kahan is well on her way to being an outstanding example for tomorrow's
youth, as she will graduate on Sunday, May 9 as the Salutatorian at the
Class of 1999 at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville.
Kahan ranks second in a class of 600 undergraduates. Commencement ceremonies
begin at 9:40 a.m. in front of Humanities Hall.
"The impact teachers have on their students is astonishing,"
said Kahan, who will continue her education on the master's level. "I
want to help students become successful in everything they do, and to feel
important, special and good about themselves. Studying education at C.W.
Post has helped me achieve this."
An excellent student with a 4.0 grade point average, Kahan serves as
president of the Mathematics Honor Society Kappa Mu Epsilon. She is a recipient
of the Hubert B. Huntley Award in Mathematics, which is awarded to one
junior for outstanding achievement in the field. Kahan was also nominated
for the 1999 All-USA Academic Team, which consists of the top students
from all universities in the nation. Kahan has also served as a math tutor
at the C.W. Post math lab and assists professors by grading exams and assisting
them with teaching duties.
Prior to attending C.W. Post, Kahan served as president of the student
senate at Half Hollow Hills High School West and was vice president of
B'Nai Brith Youth Organization. Additionally, Kahan was involved with New
York Cares where she was able to recruit her dance team to volunteer at
various schools in the Bronx and Harlem to paint, landscape and clean up
the schools for the new school year.
"In my opinion, being a teacher is one of the most important jobs
in today's society. To be an effective teacher, one has to like the material
he or she is teaching and understand it in great detail. Since I feel mathematics
is challenging, interesting and fun, I want to help other students feel
this way about mathematics," said Kahan.
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail pr@cwpost.liu.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
