Math Teacher + High Excellence Quotient = Award

Scott Annin Chosen for Cal State Fullerton's Excellence in Teaching Honor

May 12, 2008 :: No. 253

Scott Annin, associate professor of mathematics at Cal State Fullerton, froze, a half-smile still on his face from something he'd just said to a student as he handed out a math test. At that moment, Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon and several others - including Gordon's staff assistant, Norma Morris, holding a large batch of balloons - walked unannounced into his classroom and strode to the front.

"Once a year," Gordon announced without preamble, "a faculty member is selected for the Carol Barnes Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. This year, it is your faculty member, right here," he said, resting his hand on Annin's shoulder.

"Appropriately," the president said, as he handed the Fullerton resident his trophy and the balloons, "it is a crystal apple, an apple for the teacher."

Turning to the class, Gordon asked, "Would you all say he is an excellent teacher?"

His question was greeted by loud applause and smiles. Then, in acknowledgement that the students had tests on their desks, Gordon and his entourage made a quick exit, but not before Zvi Drezner, the 2005-06 recipient of the university's Outstanding Professor Award, added: "Teaching and inspiring students is a rewarding task and can be a difficult task, and it can be magnified when teaching math. You have done it so well."

Even his brief comment was more than Annin was able to get out, which, essentially, was, "Thank you! What a surprise! What an honor!" with a second "Thank you!" to the applauding students.

Later on, Annin said: "I had just distributed an exam to my number theory students, so I was sort of in a state of shock as to what was happening. When I saw all of the people and the balloons coming through the door, I was thinking, 'This is going to be one exam my students will never forget!'

"I thought it was a really nice touch for Dr. Gordon to surprise me in front of my students, all of whom are near and dear to me. I was glad to share the moment with them," Annin said. "I could never have won this award if I didn't love my career so much, and I wouldn't love my career as I do if it weren't for the wonderful individuals who have populated my classrooms ever since I began at Cal State Fullerton six years ago."

Annin added, "I never saw myself as trying to win this award. I simply come to Cal State Fullerton every day to do what I love to do with all my heart. For me, I have never really viewed my profession as work; but rather, it is a craft that I am constantly perfecting and a dream that gives me tremendous joy, purpose and significance each and every day. I have simply done the best I can to engage my students in mathematics, to excite their curiosity and to maintain high standards for excellence.

"I strive to demonstrate to my students the value of hard work, and I also want them to see how much I care about them," he said. "I am known as a teacher who assigns a lot of work and challenges students to meet high expectations . and I also try to impart to students the importance of being connected. Most endeavors in life are not accomplished in isolation, but with the support and mutual give-and-take that others can provide. I always encourage my students to be both mentors and learners, simultaneously, with one another. This implies, naturally, that relationships are extremely important. This is true even with a subject like mathematics."

Paul DeLand, chair and professor of mathematics, and Steven Murray, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, offered high praise for Annin in their nomination letters. Still, the praise from a number of former students may have rung the loudest.

"During classes, Dr. Annin used a variety of teaching techniques. He provided clear and comprehensible lectures during direct instruction. In addition, he offered opportunities for student projects in high-interest areas . (he) was also available to assist students far beyond his regular office hours," noted alumnus Benjamin Hager (B.A. mathematics '06, M.A. mathematics-teaching '08).

"He offered off-campus meetings at locations such as Del Taco and Denny's, where he made himself available in a casual atmosphere to support students with additional instructions, test preparation, discussion of topics from other classes, and academic and vocational advisement. He continued the sessions for as long as students needed assistance, staying past midnight on numerous occasions," Hager added.

According to Ryan Kile, a Class of 2005 mathematics alumnus, "He was, by far, the best professor that I had at CSUF. His passion for teaching has been very evident to me, and I fully support his recommendation for this prestigious award.

"The upper-division courses I took with Dr. Annin were very challenging and can be intimidating for many students, including myself. However, under the leadership of Dr. Annin, these daunting courses suddenly became manageable . He created a classroom atmosphere that was inviting to all students, and he would pause and reteach concepts during lecture if he noticed the class was becoming confused. He showed . great enthusiasm for each new topic . (and would) connect our subject matter to real-life situations," Kile recalled.

Former student Camden Jansen, who transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, not only sent a letter supporting Annin for the Carol Barnes award, but also named him as her most influential teacher when she was admitted to MIT, which MIT acknowledged in a letter to Annin.

Annin, who holds a doctorate in mathematics from UC Berkeley, joined the CSUF faculty in 2002. In 2005, he won the Outstanding Teacher and Scholar Award from the Department of Mathematics, the Outstanding Service Award in 2006 from the CSUF Academic Senate, and last year, both the Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Activity Award and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Annin co-authored the third edition of the text "Differential Equations and Linear Algebra" (Prentice Hall, March 2007) with department colleague Stephen Goode, professor of mathematics. He also works with the university's McNair Scholars Program, which helps prepare students for doctoral studies.

The purpose of the Barnes award is to acknowledge faculty members who demonstrate academic rigor in teaching consistent with the university mission and goals and the mission of the California State University.

The award is named for Carol Barnes, emeritus professor of elementary and bilingual education. In 1994, she received Cal State Fullerton's Outstanding Professor Award, the university's highest faculty honor, and she has won a number of other awards for teaching excellence, including recognition at the state level.

Photo: Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contacts:
Scott Annin, Mathematics, 657-278-7678 or sannin@fullerton.edu
Russ L. Hudson, Public Affairs, 657-278-4007 or rhudson@fullerton.edu

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