MASTER TEACHER: ANNIE LASSITER
Mitch Master's lovely tribute is a must read about a true mathematician. Enjoy!
It is nearly impossible to talk about Ms. Lassiter without having the conversation turn to math. She sees math everywhere, and her mind is always working on “mathy” things. One example that stands out in my mind is how many different ways she has for counting laps while she is swimming; prime numbers, multiples of seven, perfect square numbers over 3,000… math has almost limitless potential in Ms. Lassiter’s mind. I have been so lucky to be Ms. Lassiter’s friend and see this mathematical thinking up close, and I believe I have seen in action what I call the “Annie Lassiter Rules to Math and Life.”
Rule #1: Try the challenge problems. Rule #2: Always, always, always show your work.
So, here goes: I have a few challenge problems to help me summarize twenty years of teaching.
Ms. Lassiter’s years at Graland is sort of a story problem. Annie was a 6th, 7th and 8th-grade math teacher for the years between 1990 and 1999. She made lots of good friends during this time and taught lots of really bright students. Then, she was called to stay home with her family for a while; then. she came back for a year to cover for a colleague, and then she came back for good in 2009. Here’s what that problem looks like: 9+1+10 = 20
Next problem: E=mc2 + 0. More of a science problem, and although Einstein might not like it, I think Ms. Lassiter perfected this problem by adding one little zero. But, voila, it is not really a zero: it’s a picture of a donut. Math counts plus donuts equal enthusiastic math students! A follow-up problem: ten school years with 2 dozen donuts each week is = 5,760 donuts!
This next one is especially tricky because there are a lot of variables: A + S < 5F + U Annie knows everybody, and when she first meets someone, she can figure out that they know somebody who has a friend in Cleveland that knows your nephew’s best friend’s history teacher who Ms. Lassiter met at a conference in Austin, in 1997.
Our final problem: bxh/2 = a. Triangles are like those troubles you find in life. They may seem to be really broad, for that’s how big the base looks. And troubles can sometimes seem like they just pile up on top of you, and that is the height part of the equation. But with Annie, you always know that you get to divide your troubles by two, that someone is there go through the rough spots with you. Annie is a friend to all, quick to lend a hand and always willing to help. As a math teacher and a friend, she will stick with you through the rough times, through the hard work, patiently letting you see where you can improve and celebrating when you get things right. Ms. Lassiter will bring dinner when you are sick and knit a bunny hat for your new baby.
I’m not sure where to begin writing an equation that equals 20 amazing years at Graland, but please join me in honoring her accomplishment.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
