Hello! My name is Aaron Windsor and I teach mathematics at Excelsior Charter Schools in Victorville, Ca. This year I am teaching Algebra 1, Algebra 1A, Algebra 2, and Geometry.
WHY DO I TEACH?
My teaching experience began as a teenager with a simple Craigslist ad. At the time, I gave out free guitar lessons for basically anybody who wanted them. During community college, I began to tutor mathematics on the side. As my mathematical skills and teaching strategies developed, I took my first official role as a tutor for a basic math skills class at Victor Valley College.
I considered being a research scientist or an engineer for many years, before finally committing to be a mathematics teacher. My interest in mathematics stems from my love of music. These two topics are intimately related and I was able to realize this in elementary school (I could apply the principles of fractions to counting beats in a rhythm). Throughout the years, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by numerous mathematicians and musicians who demonstrated their love not only for their subject but for teaching in general.
I grew up in Apple Valley, Ca and attended the local community college, Victor Valley College. At VVC, I studied mathematics and science (and music). Afterwards, I transferred to UCSB where I studied mathematics (and music/ethnomusicology). Upon completing my undergraduate degree and working as a Special Needs Paraeducator, I attended graduate school in UCSB’s Teacher Education Program, simultaneously earning a teaching credential and a Masters of Education. This afforded me an amazing opportunity to teach Mathematics at Paul Revere Middle School in Los Angeles. Although I enjoyed living in the city, I decided to move back to the high desert and support my local community- I am currently teaching Excelsior, a charter school in Victorville, Ca. During the summer I work as a camp counselor at an intensive and distinguished pre-college program.
Outside of teaching, I have interests in many things but mainly music. I enjoy listening to, playing, discussing music theory, and creating music. I performed with the Victor Valley College Guitar Ensemble and the UCSB’s Middle East Ensemble and Music of North India Ensemble. Currently, I am teaching a music appreciation course.
I am eternally grateful for all the people in my life who have helped me reach my goals and continue to inspire me. If you are reading this, there is a high chance that you are one of these people- Thank You!!!
TOOLS I USE
Notability is a note-taking application that I love to use. It makes color coding a breeze and it is so simply to change the template between blank paper, college ruled, graph paper and many more.
Notability
Desmos is a great, free platform that I love to use for graphing and quick calculations
Desmos
Wolfram Alpha is another great free program for more powerful calculations.
Wolfram Alpha
PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING
Learning should be fun, exciting, engaging, and make use of technology in appropriate and meaningful ways. Children are human beings and should be treated as such. Start each day with a clean slate. Always keep an open mind and don’t be afraid of change. Teachers should encourage and inspire all individuals.