In the NeighborHOOD: Meet Christy Graybeal

Meet Christy Graybeal, associate professor of education and mathematics and chair of the education department.
Christy Graybeal
Program
- Mathematics Education (M.S.)
- Mathematics (B.A.)
- Mathematics Education (Minor)
Hometown
Niskayuna, New York
Department
- Education
- Mathematics
Degree
Ph.D.
Title
Associate Professor of Education and Mathematics
What brought you to Hood College?
For my undergraduate degree, I went to a small liberal arts college very similar to Hood. I had a wonderful experience there and was thrilled to have the opportunity to work at a similar school.
What do you value most about your relationship with students?
Ideally everyone would see the beauty in mathematics, but I know that not everyone loves mathematics as I do. Iām always glad when students tell me that their experiences in my courses have helped them come to see mathematics as something that can be understood and not only memorized.
Describe your approach to teaching.
As a professor of education, I teach future and current teachers. Because experience is one of the best lessons, I feel that it is very important to model teaching practices that I would hope to see in my studentsā own classrooms. By modeling these practices and giving students experiences that are perhaps different from what they have experienced in the past, I hope to show them the benefits of different teaching methods.
I see the role of a teacher as a facilitator. The teacher should guide students to new understandings by setting up experiences for learning and then stepping aside and allowing students to learn by doing, by talking to each other, and by exploring resources. I hope that by learning in these ways, these future and current teachers will come to see the benefits of these ways of teaching and will implement them in their own classrooms.
What is your most memorable moment at Hood?
I love the line that the faculty makes for the graduates after Commencement. It is a wonderful tradition.
Describe your academic interests, research, professional interests or expertise.
My primary research interest is in mathematics education and specifically fostering curiosity about mathematics. If students are curious, they will be motivated to learn more.
When you arenāt teaching, what are you passionate about?
What three books would you recommend be on everyoneās reading list?
āJourney Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematicsā by William Dunham
āSavage Inequalitiesā by Jonathan Kozol
āIn Defense of Food: An Eaterās Manifestoā by Michael Pollan
What is your favorite childrenās book?
What is your favorite spot on campus?
What is your favorite place in Frederick?
Are you ready to say Hello?
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