Gayle McBride has a Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities from Michigan State University, and thirty-three years of teaching experience (K-14). She has acquired the knowledge and mastered the specific strategies and techniques to increase each student's reasoning ability. She has developed a lecture/lab program using individual diagnosis and prescription which enables the staff, through continual training and monitoring, to provide sequential and consistent instruction, student demonstration of mastery, and an ongoing support system. These components constitute a successful program.
Margaret Thomas has a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading from the University of the Pacific. She has twelve years experience instructing basic mathematics at Delta and five years experience as the basic mathematics laboratory assistant. The students' wide range of reading abilities make the instruction of problem solving a continuous challenge. Mrs. Thomas' background in reading provides her with the diagnostic'prescriptive skills necessary to analyze each student's individual skills and select appropriate problems and assignments. This individualized approach enables the students to learn the thinking skills necessary for their success in mathematics and other subjects as well.
Patricia Donovan has a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and fifteen years of diverse teaching experience, including nine years at Delta College. She taught mathematics and English as a Second Language in the Peace Corps in East Africa, and also has experience teaching Special Education (Seriously Emotionally Disturbed), General Education, and GED (Juvenile Delinquents). Ms. Donovan taught high school mathematics and computer science for several years before coming to Delta College. Her background and experience with at-risk and underachieving students helps her to adapt teaching styles to meet the needs of individual students. Ms. Donovan's mathematics training helps her to monitor and maintain the academic integrity and rigor of the basic mathematics program.
Corrie Barr has a Master's Degree in Education with ten years of teaching experience in English as a Second Language, business mathematics, basic mathematics, and private tutoring. Her experience at both the elementary and secondary level in mathematics has proven valuable in helping students attain success. Her strengths as an instructor include being able to analyze and diagnose student skills, and then to teach the specific steps necessary for successful learning.
William Gillingham has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Arizona with emphasis in mathematics and science. He has twenty-three years teaching experience at the secondary and community college levels focused on students with special needs. He combined coaching athletics with academics to enhance self-esteem and to provide a positive environment for learning. He has taught a multitude of ethnic groups from Micronesians at the University of Guam to Native Americans in the Southwest. This diversity has enabled Mr. Gillingham to develop different concepts of learning to provide meaningful instruction.
June Taber Gifford has a Master's Degree in Psychology and a community college credential in basic skills and special education. She teaches at Delta College, University of the Pacific and California State University, Sacramento. Ms. Gifford's focus for the past 20 years has been two fold: teaching logical thinking skills and teaching the development of self-esteem and self confidence. Her classes reflect a diverse population of students, both in cultural background and skill level. The classes provide information about left and right brain thinking which enables students to learn about their style of thinking and opens up a willingness to learn new thinking patterns. Ms. Gifford's background makes working in the Basic Skills Math Program both exciting and rewarding.
Jack Crain has a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Mathematics and the Community College Basic Skills Credential. His experience includes twenty years at the secondary level, teaching basic mathematics through algebra. Mr. Crain has special talents in developing and implementing module programs.
Del Petzold has a Master's Degree from the University of Wyoming and over thirty years of teaching and counseling experience. He has received many awards in his high school counseling career, and he puts his counseling skills to work as a basic mathematics instructor. His experience over twenty years at Delta includes teaching basic mathematics, business math, and community education math programs.
Doug Ptacek has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. He has twenty-five years of high school teaching experience in mathematics and has taught evening classes at Delta for nine years. His practical experience in the business field add to his effectiveness as a basic skills mathematics instructor.