About Mr. Somerville

Links
Homepage
Mr. Somerville's Bio
Syllabus
Calendar
Announcements
TAKS & Practice Links

Position:

Geometry Teacher, Freshman Football and Softball Coach

Education:

High School: A.N. McCallum High School, Austin, TX

College: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Degree: Bachelor’s of Enviromental Design (May 2002)

Background:

After graduating from college, I worked for three years in an architectural firm as a project manager, first in San Antonio, TX, and then in Dallas. However, I eventually found myself largely unfulfilled by my occupation, and realized that architecture is simply not for me. I had worked as a summer camp director throughout college, and I found myself more and more convinced that I was being called to a similar line of work.

So, instead of completing my license registration process as an architect, I opted to switch careers. Having spent many, many hours drawing shapes and buildings, it only made sense that I teach geometry! This is my third year teaching and coaching at CHHS, and I am excited to about my third year as a Panther!

Educational Philosophy:

There is no student (or teacher, for that matter) who cannot learn. It is a matter of motivation. Every individual is motivated by vastly different factors; and it is the job of teachers to identify the motivating forces in each student, and then capitalize on them.

Similarly, each student arrives in the classroom with a unique set of academic assets and original thoughts to offer his/her classmates. The teachers’ job then, is to help the student share his/her valuable perspective. Every member of a classroom—both students and teacher—have something to learn from every other individual surrounding them, every day.

Finally, learning is not forced. It is nurtured and encouraged through the relationship between teacher and student. If the student understands that a teacher truly cares about him/her as an individual, and not just another entry in the gradebook, then that student will perceive that they are part of a team of learning!