Dr. Cherith Tucker serves as assistant professor of mathematics. In 2018, she received the Promising Teacher Award, presented to a junior faculty member who has taught at OBU less than six years, has demonstrated outstanding potential as a teacher and has exhibited the characteristics of one who may be a future recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.<\/p>\n
When Cherith Tucker started her undergraduate journey \u2013 adamantly opposed to the thought of teaching \u2013 she set her eyes on a path of differentiation from her family. Her father and sister both math teachers, Tucker explored subjects such as business, psychology, religion and science. However, when the time came to register for classes, she couldn\u2019t leave behind her favorite subject: mathematics.<\/p>\n
Tucker thrived as a mathematics major at Southern Nazarene University, describing SNU as having a similar mission and environment to OBU \u2013 a quality which would eventually lead her to Bison Hill.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved my time at SNU,\u201d she said. \u201cMostly, I loved forming deep connections with my professors and peers, and I knew OBU also valued those connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through the encouragement of her SNU professors, Tucker decided to pursue a Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. During her time as a teaching assistant, she fell in love with something unexpected: teaching mathematics.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy favorite part of the day was getting up in front of a class of students to talk about math,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s when I knew that I wanted to be a teacher.\u00a0Looking back on it, I am so thankful that the Lord guided my steps through the encouragement of my math professors in college.\u00a0I hope that I can be an encouragement to my students in whatever direction the Lord is calling them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following her master\u2019s degree, Tucker earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
In 2013, Tucker joined the Hurley College of Science and Mathematics as assistant professor of mathematics.<\/p>\n
She reflected on her excitement in joining the OBU faculty and the growth she\u2019s experienced on Bison Hill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe math department at OBU was young, energetic and dedicated to making the experience of their students an incredibly positive one, and I really wanted to be a part of that,\u201d she said. \u201cI have grown tremendously since joining the faculty in 2013.\u00a0I have had the opportunity to develop relationships with both colleagues and students that have challenged me to be a better teacher, leader, friend and mentor.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also recalled math teachers in her own life who impacted her tremendously along her journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had several really excellent mathematics teachers in my lifetime, and they have been the ones that have impacted me the most deeply,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cIn high school, my favorite math teacher had so much fun teaching math.\u00a0His joy and excitement couldn\u2019t help but rub off on his students.\u00a0In college, both of my math professors were incredibly encouraging, opening my eyes to the very wide world of mathematics. They took me to math conferences each year, offered extra math classes for me to take and encouraged me to continue in my education.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn graduate school, my advisor was one of my favorite teachers.\u00a0He explained incredibly difficult concepts in a very simple way, and his calm demeanor brought a sense of peace to his classroom.\u00a0I strive to emulate these teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n
As with any job, teaching mathematics comes with a set of challenges. In Tucker\u2019s experience, the biggest challenge is facing students\u2019 preconceived perceptions of math.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, the most challenging part of teaching mathematics is dealing with students\u2019 negative emotions and attitudes toward math.\u00a0Many students have had terrible experiences in their previous math classes and overcoming that hurdle is certainly difficult for them,\u201d Tucker said.<\/p>\n
When students overcome challenges, such as a negative view of math, Tucker feels a strong sense of satisfaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is most rewarding when I see a student experience that light bulb moment, when things begin making sense to them and they start to get excited about a truly beautiful field of study.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beautiful. Math. Two words not many would associate together, yet Tucker\u2019s wish for others is to perceive math as beautiful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love math because it is beautiful.\u00a0It\u2019s like a giant puzzle in which each piece fits perfectly into place to form a complex but amazingly elegant picture.\u00a0The Lord created this world to operate under the laws of mathematics, and it is truly a privilege to get to know the logic, order, pattern and symmetry of His character.\u00a0I wish for other people that they could see the beauty and intrinsic value of mathematics as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Tucker acknowledges that most of her favorite activities outside of the classroom still revolve around math. For one, she serves as the sponsor for the OBU Math Club, which meets monthly to discuss a variety of math topics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe OBU Math Club has meetings each month in which we talk about a variety of interesting math topics,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cThese have all been great opportunities to get to know my colleagues and students outside of the classroom, in a slightly nerdy environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also enjoys traveling with students and colleagues each year to the Oklahoma-Arkansas Mathematical Association of America conference and always looks forward to the math department\u2019s \u201cMath Bash\u201d party at the beginning of each year.\u00a0It\u2019s an opportunity for professors and students to play games, eat and catch up on what is going on in their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an incredible math department at OBU, with some of the most caring and knowledgeable faculty.\u00a0It is truly a pleasure to work with them and learn from them on a daily basis,\u201d Tucker said.<\/p>\n
Away from campus, Tucker enjoys working as a sponsor for the University Baptist Church youth group and also enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.<\/p>\n
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