Sinclair mathematician nabs 2013 U.S. Professor of the Year honor

Sinclair Community College’s Bob Chaney was named 2013 U.S. Professor of the Year for his work helping students overcome their fears of math.

Chaney was recognized as a “visionary instructor” for the way he teaches — making sure math is not just an abstract problem to solve for students by using hands-on activities, such as programming a robot to do simple activities using algebraic equations.

He was selected as the sole outstanding professor nationwide at the community college level by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The judges were impressed by his ability to excite his students and colleagues about math.

Chaney, who has taught at Sinclair since 1989, said he likes to help students understand one thing: “That math is important.”

Too often, he said, students struggle with math and give up. But the veteran teacher is there to encourage them.

“When they get it they have some confidence and they’re willing to work hard and take on the next challenge,” he said.

Not only do students recommend Chaney’s classes to each other, he is also a “teacher of teachers,” said Karl Hess, a fellow math professor at Sinclair, in his nominating letter. Chaney shares his insights at conferences and co-launched a Math Machines nonprofit in 1996 so high school teachers can learn to use robots in their math classes. More than 1,000 teachers have participated in Math Machines since 1999.

“His students respect him greatly, acknowledging the high standards he sets, the patience he shows, and his consistent hard work in providing them with the best possible learning experience,” said Frederick Thomas, president of Learning with Math Machines, in his nomination letter.

“They particularly appreciate his ability to answer the dreaded question: When am I ever going to use this?” he said. “For Prof. Chaney’s students, mathematics is far more than a series of paper-and-pencil exercises; mathematics is instead an exciting, dynamic, powerful and (sometimes, at least) fun method for achieving real results.”

Chaney was given the award Thursday in Washington, D.C.

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