As a fourth grader, Susan Barton expressed she knew she had a knack for teaching by helping other students with math. Barton said math comes naturally to her, and while math can be daunting to some, students find encouragement to improve by transforming class into a breeding ground of questions, networking and higher understanding.
Barton is a professor in the Faculty of Math & Computing at BYU–Hawaii. She shared how this simple experience of teaching fellow students through her love of math was the first time she could really remember her passion for teaching.
Through her personal experience in math classes, Barton shared she only had two options in class, which were to either cause trouble in class or help other students after jamming through her assigned worksheets. This push to help others revealed to her how much math can be understood by someone who is willing to put in the effort.
“If you keep working at mathematics and keep working with algebra and learning what you can do with calculus and higher-level math, I think most people who are in college can do it at some level.”
A former student of hers at BYUH, Scott Hyde, a professor and program lead in the Faculty of Math & Computing, said Barton’s belief was manifested in class through her emphasis on truly internalizing the information presented.
“She encouraged students to succeed by making sure they didn’t just ‘get by.’ She wouldn’t let us slack, and she made sure you do your work. Every grade I got from her I knew I earned because she would never give a higher grade than what you earned.”
Math is for everyone
Barton expressed how important dedicated work and time can greatly impact the effectiveness of a student. She shared a story of a previous student who, in his home country, was told constantly he would never succeed in math. Upon attending BYUH, Barton said this student was able to flourish and grow in his math skills with the right mentors.
“You have to decide to be like a marathon runner. When they hit the wall, do they just stop, or do they push through? In mathematics, you need to push through it.
You have to decide like a marathon runner. When they hit the wall, do they just stop, or do they push through? In mathematics, you need to push through it.
“Even when you hit the wall, you’ll realize you can do this. I think too often, we’re fairly young when we decide we can’t do math. I think a good part of it is you don’t have a good teacher who really feels comfortable with math themselves.”
Ka Lun Wong, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Math & Computing, also had Barton as a professor during his years spent at BYUH. Wong expressed during his time in Barton’s classes, he was given so many opportunities to receive guidance.
“Our school is special because we have a small campus and usually the teacher-to-student ratio is low, so it is a good opportunity for students to get to know their teachers and to have good relationships. Sister Barton said being friendly and approachable to students makes it easier for students to talk to her and get to know her and learn from her more.”
Wong commented he was initially intimidated by Barton as his professor, but when she did little things like getting dressed up for Halloween, he truly felt a connection to her for her individuality. Now a colleague of hers, he said his education from her has only continued.
“I think she really has the heart to teach and to help the students. She is very helpful to me as a new faculty member here because I have a lot to learn, but she is really willing to explain things to me and to help me know what is going on. She is a really good mentor and teacher.”
Likewise, Hyde said Barton was the main way he was able to fully adjust to life as a faculty member of BYUH. “She helped me to navigate my role as a professor at the university, with most activities being much more than teaching classes … She taught me the other parts of a professor’s job including service, serving on committees, mentoring students, publishing research, doing presentations and all the other things we need to do.”
Hyde said his main introduction to Barton was when he took her classes in 1992 as a freshman, where she pushed her students to always succeed. “She always is the main person to contribute the most in any kind of role the department has to play … Whatever she has to do, she gets it done … She was the first face of the Math Department I saw as a student, including my first math teacher at BYUH.”
Keep on keeping on
Reflecting on her past 30 years spent full of opportunity at BYUH, Barton noticed specifically her appreciation for having smaller classes so she could better connect with her students. She expressed the main reason this is able to work out is the unique spirit and priesthood presence at BYUH.
“What’s made me stay is because of the priesthood blessings. I said I will stay here as long as the Lord wants me to be here. I have had chances [to leave] ... but I got the impression I need to stay here as long as the Lord wants me to ... In the end, if you are doing the things He wants you to, the Lord will help things work out for you.”
In the end, if you are doing the things He wants you to, the Lord will help things work out for you.
Even after all of this time, Barton commented on the initial pressure coming from the first day of class at the beginning of the semester.
“The first day of class is still just so fun. I still get butterflies in my stomach after 30 years. One of the things I find is so fun is the first day of class, just walking in and looking at the diversity.”
Barton said another one of her core personal beliefs is students need to realize they can be good at math from an early age to break the negative stigma around mathematics. She shared the best way to combat these ideas being taught is create a classroom that is open to questioning, encourages interaction and increases students understanding.
She said she wants all students to become mentally as younger children, ready to soak up any juicy bits of information thrown at them. Thirty years later, she said she is “still trying to help people learn math the best they can.”