Most people tend to overlook the impact teachers have on students’ views of a class, and while most students tend to struggle with mathematics in particular, teachers like David Muncy make it easier.
Mr. Muncy, a teacher at Meridian World School, teaches both geometry and algebra 2; however, he has years of experience teaching everything from Algebra I to Multivariate Calculus. Interestingly, he stated that initially, he had no plans of becoming a teacher.
“A school board got a hold of my resume from a private business I applied to and called me, asking if I wanted to fill a vacant high school position. I decided to try it out because I wanted a job, and the principal made it seem fun!” Mr. Muncy shared. “It turned out to be a great decision as it has allowed me to use my math skills to help others. It has been the best job I’ve had, and the hardest job too.”
While all jobs come with challenges, becoming a teacher paid off. Mr. Muncy’s impact on his students is undeniable, and although it’s only his first year at Meridian, he’s already helped numerous students.
Sophomore, Cole Benson, expressed his feelings about the impact of Mr. Muncy’s classroom, stating, “Mr Muncy brings kindness and encouragement into every lesson. He explains things clearly, keeps us on task, and makes learning feel achievable for everyone.”
Sophomore, Abigail Gonzalez, added, “He always finds fun, new ways to help us understand, and I love how he even changes the chair setup based on what we’re doing that day; it makes the whole class feel more engaging.”
Mr. Muncy puts great effort into making lessons pleasant and compelling for all students, whether it be by changing up the seating arrangement, implementing Desmos activities, or combining creativity and mathematics; he aims to appeal to all learning styles.
“The lessons that get students on their feet and moving are my favorite.” Mr. Muncy imparted. “Recently, we’ve installed whiteboard posters around the room so students can stand and collaborate in groups versus sitting at a desk through the full ninety-minute block.”
He shared that one of his favorite ways to keep students engaged is by implementing group work into his classwork, as students can sometimes learn more from each other than they can from a teacher. Mr. Muncy encourages students to explore topics together and engage in detailed discussions to facilitate an environment where they are comfortable asking each other for help. He finds that often, students can explain topics to others in a more digestible way, as they can use terminology and language that other students are more familiar with.
Aside from endorsing growth and communication within the subject of math, the importance of his lessons extends beyond being a math teacher. Mr. Muncy stated that there are three messages he tries to promote to his students: “1) Keep working hard, as your hard work will pay off. 2) Go outside today. 3). Do something fun every day.”
Mr. Muncy encourages students to have a healthy balance between work and fun, aiming to be remembered as honest and fair. Hoping the students will remember their math class fondly, as a place where they could learn and improve freely. Despite being less than two quarters into his first year, it’s safe to say that he’s well on his way to achieving this, as seen in his students’ own testimonies.
Benson remarked, “He always tries his best to help every student learn and understand. Mr Muncy does everything he can to help us succeed, and I really appreciate that.”
