Mathematics at Bishop Ireton High School in 1972

Gregory Lawler was assistant editor of FLIGHT 72, the Bishop Ireton High School 1972 Yearbook. The Bishop Ireton High School is a Catholic preparatory high school in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1964. In 1972 it was a boys' high school staffed by the Oblates of St Francis De Sales. Given that Lawler went on to study mathematics at university and has become a world-leading mathematician, it is likely that he was the principal author of the section in FLIGHT 72 describing the Mathematics Department. We give a version of this section below.

The Bishop Ireton High School Mathematics Department.

Ireton, as a college preparatory school, can pride itself in its Mathematics Department. It is equipped to give comprehensive, advanced classes to its students. Results of standardised tests show that mathematical achievement is greater at Ireton than at most other schools. Graduates who return from college often comment on how their mathematical training has helped them in advanced courses.

One of the major problems with which the mathematics department has tried to cope is the problem of developing student interest in the subject. Rigorous training in quadratic equations and analytic geometry often fails to excite the student and sometimes creates in him an aversion for mathematics. One attempt to relate mathematics to daily life was the creation of Math of Finance, a Senior elective. The course was taught by Mr Umbeck, who, while admitting that he was not totally knowledgeable on the subject, saw the need for such a course. A great deal of time was spent solving mathematical equations with little reference to actual problems, and the course largely failed to bridge the gap between numbers and life situations. It was, however, a start, and can be lauded as such.

The senior member of the department is Fr Paul Kenny, who, because he holds the responsibilities of Principal, can no longer carry a full-sized teaching load. He now teaches only advanced Algebra I and modified Algebra l - the two extremes of Freshman mathematics. His ability to convey basic ideas has helped many students to overcome major blocks in their education. That he can spend little time teaching is a shame and makes people wonder why fate throws a good teacher into an administrative position.

Fr James O'Neill has one of the worst reputations among the students because of his notorious "Practice Makes Perfect" theory on mathematics; heavy assignments have forced many to transfer out of his courses. Taking the advanced placement sections of Geometry and Algebra Il-Trig as well as half of regular Algebra III, he drills facts into students continuously. Fr O'Neill's tests demand the ability of the student to think quickly, as well as a good knowledge of the material. Although a student may work slavishly and earn low marks, it is unlikely that he will leave the class without absorbing an enormous amount of mathematical knowledge.

Mr Ronald Umbeck is in his fifth year as Geometry teacher - by far the longest term of any lay maths teacher in Ireton's history. He is a picture mathematician; he speaks mathematics fluently and his figure-perfect handwriting awes unsuspecting students. Mr Umbeck also is the only Calculus teacher in Ireton's history, having taught twenty AP students in his five-year span.

Fr Paul Frey, a new addition to the department, got a quick reputation as an easy grader. In Math IV, students who had barely survived the Algebra II shock found that this year of mathematics would not be a traumatic experience. Algebra II students, whose encounters with Geometry had left them anti-numeric, were finding the subject bearable. Fr Frey feels that a grade should be an evaluation of material learned, and allows students to retake tests in order to bring up grades. Whether his methods produce as knowledgeable mathematicians as those taught by the stricter teachers has yet to be seen, but it is obvious that the students enjoy learning considerably more.

Mr William Renner, another department rookie, is a soft-spoken man. Well-liked by his Algebra I students, he takes an interest in each of them. Most of his free time is spent giving help to Freshmen having a rough time understanding the material. His quiet nature soothed the natives of the slow Geometry class. The learning process was pleasant, but again it remains to be seen if his methods will mirror the success of the department.

Last Updated March 2024