New faculty member joins Centenary department of mathematics
SHREVEPORT, LA — Dr. Christal L. Schoen has joined the Centenary College faculty as assistant professor of mathematics. Schoen comes to Centenary from Central Michigan University where she completed her master’s degree in mathematics and Ph.D. in mathematical sciences and served as graduate teaching assistant and tutor for a variety of mathematics courses.
“I am delighted that Dr. Schoen joined our department this fall,” says Dr. Katherine Brandl, chair of the department of mathematics and computer science. “We were all very impressed with her when she was interviewing for the position, and now that she is here she is living up to my expectations. She is committed to our students' success and I look forward to her contributions to the math department and the College as a whole.”
Schoen always knew that she wanted to work at a college that places a high value on teaching.
“It was clear all the way from Michigan that Centenary is such an institution,” says Schoen. “Centenary professors mentor students and help them grow not only as scholars but also as contributing members of society, challenging and supporting them on their journey. During the interview process, I came to understand that everybody on this campus, all the way up to the highest level of administration, is invested in student success. That impressed me, showing me that this is the place where I want to be.”
In addition to her teaching experience at the university level, Schoen has taught and tutored students in mathematics from elementary through high school. Her professional research centers on mathematics education and she is particularly interested in the role and uses of technology and social media as pedagogical tools in mathematics education.
“I hope to create and teach a course for future teachers,” explains Schoen. “Teachers need to be able to understand and communicate mathematical ideas in a wide variety of ways, and a I believe that special class dedicated to those needs could enrich their program. Once the pandemic is behind us, I would also like to be able to conduct original mathematics education research with future teachers. If possible, we could engage in community outreach and work with local students to learn about how they think and create new mathematical knowledge. This would help our future teachers view education through a new lens and add to the body of mathematics education research.”
Schoen is currently teaching pre-calculus and mathematical statistics at Centenary.
“I have had the opportunity to get to know many our incoming freshmen and I also have been able to work with a very bright mathematics major with a promising future,” says Schoen. “The students at Centenary are some of the most kind and hard-working students I've had the honor of teaching.”