Meet Jen Mastin
Lead Math Teacher, Upper School
What subjects and grade levels do you teach? 7th Grade Math Lead & 8th Grade Math Co-Teacher
What is your educational or professional background? I worked as a data analyst for the last decade mostly focused on marketing analytics. Prior to entering the corporate world, I taught many sections of Pre-Calculus and Math Modeling at UGA. I also taught math at a high school in North Carolina. I have a bachelor's degree in Math from Benedictine University (IL), Master's in Math from UGA, and Master's in Education from Wake Forest.
What inspired you to become an educator? I had the privilege of having some really great math teachers in high school and college that
How long have you been part of the Oak House community? This is my first year!
Why Oak House? I toured late last year to find a new school for my oldest son, Henry. We both left asking each other if we could go both "Go here.”
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Oak House? The teachers and staff are one of the most supportive groups of adults I have been surrounded by. I felt an immediate connection with everyone
What makes the Oak House community special to you? I can see the mission in action on a daily basis. We are a group of people who meet each other with radical compassion and honor/support what others bring to the table.
What is something you want every student to feel when they enter your classroom? I want them to feel like they belong.
What is one lesson, unit, or classroom project you especially enjoy teaching? It is a tie between introducing students to graph theory concepts (which we did on day 2 this year!) and apportionment methods to assign seats for voting (it is really an exercise in working with ratios but in a highly relevant setting).
What is something your students have taught you? I tend to talk too fast and expect them to write too much (for math).
What do you hope students remember bout your class after the school year ends? I want my students to remember that they can think mathematically and do it regularly without realizing it.
What do you enjoy doing outside of school? Reading fiction, sewing clothes, running outside
What book, movie, television show, podcast, game, or artist are you currently enjoying? I am deep into the Dungeon Crawler Carl series
