Mike’s Cover Letter

Hello,

I am applying for physics and mathematics teaching positions. I earned a Master of Arts in Physics from University of California, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics also from Pennsylvania State University. I taught physics and mathematics courses at two community colleges, two career colleges, and a private high school.

My teaching experience is a diverse series of adjunct and temporary positions. Currently, I teach mathematics at a community college near Buffalo, New York. Previously, I taught mathematics at two career colleges in California and Pennsylvania, physics and algebra at a Catholic all-boys high school in California, and introductory physics for non-science majors at a community college in California. Also, while a student, I worked as a teaching assistant for three different courses: Introductory Electromagnetism, Introductory Mechanics, and a Basic Semiconductor Circuits laboratory course. While a teaching assistant, I received formal teaching training, including course development and classroom and laboratory instructional techniques.

I also tutor physics and mathematics, both online and in-person. In physics, I tutor both high school level and introductory college mechanics and electromagnetism. In mathematics, I tutor anything from algebra 1 through calculus 3. While tutoring, I see the many common problems students experience while learning these subjects, and I am able to correct them.

I became a Jack-of-all-trades while studying to become a physicist. I programmed computers in Fortran, C, Mathematica, and IDL. I worked with both analog and digital electronics and have designed printed circuit boards. I used machine shop equipment, including a lathe and a mill. I acted as a Linux system administrator for my graduate school research group. I am self-taught in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, and I have administered websites in WordPress and other popular web applications. I easily adjust to harsh environments, working five summers seasons at Amundsen Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica. I know meeting rules like Robert’s Rules of Order, through my involvement in student government at Berkeley. And, finally, I read body language skillfully enough to have made a living playing poker at the card rooms of California.

My philosophy is: “Everything has a reason.” For true understanding of the subject, the student must learn not only the proper problem solving techniques (“how to do it”), but also the reasoning behind those techniques (“why it works”). If the student errs when attempting to solve a problem but can explain the reasons for their actions, then we can correct both their logic and their action, and the student will learn. If the student can not explain the reasons for their actions, then, even if their answer is correct, the problem solving techniques appear mystical to the student, and the student will never completely learn.

I do not hold a state-issued teaching license and am searching for a suitable alternative licensing program. I recently passed the Praxis 1 Tests, the Praxis 2 Physics Content Knowledge test, and the Praxis 2 Mathematics Content Knowledge test.

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, you can reach me by email at mike@mikedaub.com or by phone at 814-602-1344.

Best regards,

Mike Daub
mike@mikedaub.com
814-602-1344