Getting to Know the Teacher…Mrs. Mattacchione
I am married to Mr. Mattacchione in Community Service Office/Rugby Coach here at Jesuit. We met at Rugby practice
12 years ago. We have two beautiful children, 3 ½ yr old boy named Anthony Junior, 15 month old girl named Maelee,
and a golden lab named Ruckins.
I’ve been teaching high school mathematics for 11yrs. This is my sixth summer teaching prefrosh algebra class. I mainly
teach Algebra 2, Statistics, and Applied College math during the school year. I enjoy coaching the Jesuit Bowling Team
and help with BBBS (big brothers and Big Sisters) connection with Jesuit. Jesuit bowling team is the district champions of
DFW District 9-0 defeating the confident Trinity HS! I am the number one spectator of Jesuit rugby. In fact, I enjoy
watching any sporting event at Jesuit especially if I know one of my students is playing. I also enjoy listening to the Jesuit
band/choir concerts and watching Jesuit theatre (the Senior One Act shows are hilarious). My hobby is to crochet chemo
and premature baby hats for hospitals. My favorite thing to experience is when a hard working student finally gets the
grade he strives for and shows his emotion with a high five or a smile. My favorite music is mostly in the 80s. The last
movie seen in the movie theatre was the Great Gatsby.
I want to personally welcome you to Jesuit. I am glad you are in my class and excited to show you some wonderful
concepts about algebra. Algebra is the foundation for your knowledge in mathematics. It is essential that you
understand and feel comfortable to ask questions. You are always welcome to see me in my office to talk about
anything (doesn’t have to be mathematics related). If the door is open, just come on in!
Getting to Know You
Preferred Name to be called by your math teacher
and the name I will see on your assignments: ________________________________
Last year’s school: ____________________
Birthday ____________________
Age ______
Family….
Brothers __________________________________
Sisters________________________________
Pets _____________________________________
If you were to fill out a pie chart of your typical school day last year, what would it look like? How many hours
would you spend on homework, TV, chores, family time, practice, Jesuit activities on campus, etc. Don’t
forget class time, eating, and sleeping!
What hobbies or extracurricular activities are you involved in that you did not list on your pie chart?
If you could have two hours of “free” time to do whatever you want, what would you do?
Music, books, and movies can be inspirational. Tell me the title of one and why it inspires you?
What is one thing that you do that makes you feel good about yourself?
Tell the name of your math class and approximate your math average last year?
How confident do you feel about math class on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being very confident.
1
2
3
4
5
Tell me one math memory that stands out in your mind. It can be good or bad.
How would you describe someone who is successful and understands mathematics?
What are your personal and academic goals in algebra this summer? What are your personal goals for
freshman year?
What is one thing you found helpful from a previous teacher?
On the contrary, what is one thing that your previous math teacher did that bugged you?
Be open minded, what would be the best birthday present for you?
Tell me a short story about anything. The story must be 5-8 sentences of complete thought.
Name __________________________
Getting to know your book….
Look at Chapter 1 section 1 in your book for guidance on questions 1-3. Answer the following questions
with complete thoughts.
1. What are some suggestions to help you be successful in mathematics? List at least eight things.
2. Why do you suppose math teachers stress “Show all your work?”
3. Explain some methods you will take if you find that you are having difficulties with an assignment.
4. Describe what the following icons mean.
a.
b.
c.
5. Where are the answers located in this book?
What type of number (odds, evens, or all) answers are available to you in the answer section for:
Chapter Review ______________
Chapter Test _____________
Cumulative Review________________
6. Search after the solution of any worked example and find the Practice exercises; describe them. When
might be the best time to work a Practice exercise? Where are the answers to Practice exercises? List any
similarities between a Practice exercise and the worked example before it.
7. Go to the Highlights section at the end of this chapter. Describe how this section may be helpful to you
when preparing for a test.