Fine math teacher exudes joy of learning

Published 9:00 pm Friday, February 9, 2007

Regarding the Sunday article, “Chalkboards are vanishing from the classroom”:

I had the privilege of attending two of Bob Killingstad’s calculus classes, where he made extensive use of three of the four wall-filling chalkboards in room 108 of Index Hall. Bob exuded his joy of learning while making complex problems look simple as he methodically presented them on the famous chalkboards that he often spoke fondly of. He has also been seen fixing broken tiles on the floor of his favorite classroom.

His enthusiasm for the topic of math seemed even more remarkable after I learned he has been doing this for 33 years.

He not only has encouraged thousands of students over the years, but also at least one son that I know of. His son, Chris, also teaches at Everett Community College. As the number of chalkboards are dwindling, Chris has to teach using white boards.

Stephen L McGourty

Arlington