WVNCC Math Professor Honored

Mark Goldstein, veteran mathematics professor at West Virginia Northern Community College, has been named the 2013 College/University Mathematics Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Goldstein, of New Martinsville, was recognized with the honor by his peers at the annual meeting of the West Virginia council held March 15-16 at Stonewall Resort State Park in Roanoke, according to Jeanne Finstein, community relations chairman of the council.

As part of the nomination process, Finstein said, Goldstein’s colleagues and students commented on his abilities, expertise and service, as follows: “Mark has been one of the most loyal and supportive members of the state Advisory Council of Faculty---a rock, always enlightened, always ready to share new ideas and the innovative programs that Northern has established…but most important he has been the guiding force behind the Great Teachers Seminar and the effort to reward and encourage the best for our students and for our programs.”

His students had this to say: “Professor Goldstein is a tough teacher—he expects a lot—but very rewarding to work with. He’s super helpful in office hours and will really go out of his way to help you if you’re sincere in wanting help. He really cares about his students and even though he teaches at a very high level, his classes are really worth taking.”

And, “Mr. Goldstein is a great teacher. He is very knowledgeable in his area of teaching and…will go above and beyond to help students.”

In addition to his regular teaching duties, the honoree has been the Phi Theta Kappa advisor for the New Martinsville campus for many years. It also was pointed out that Goldstein “plays the guitar and sings and is never known to take an elevator but walks the steps anywhere he goes.”

3/29/13