AP in a Classroom
AP Calculus, Whitney M. Young Magnet School, Chicago Public Schools, IL
At Whitney M. Young Magnet School in Chicago, AP Calculus teacher Matthew Moran works hard to create a collaborative environment where students are challenged and inspired. Zachary Stuart, who graduated from Whitney Young in 2011, fondly recalls Mr. Moran’s enthusiasm for math and his ability to develop creative assignments that effectively prepared him for the AP Exam. Now in his freshman year at Stanford University, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering, Zachary attributes much of his academic success to AP: "The AP courses that I completed helped me build the confidence and acquire the knowledge that is necessary to dive into college."
Mr. Moran said, "There were a lot of classes in these kids’ history where mathematics was boring — a lot about formulas and getting to the right answer. That’s not what we do in my class … Mathematics is fascinating and it’s useful. And we talk about how useful it is and the applications."
But Mr. Moran’s class is popular not only because he promotes the practical applications of calculus. "To me, it’s about creating an environment where students feel safe and relaxed and are able to be themselves and interact with each other," he said. "It takes a long time to foster that community in my classroom, but when we finally get there, it’s really a good feeling."
