Faculty Friday: Julie Croteau

SUNY Corning Community College is proud to feature Professor Julie Croteau for our very first Faculty Friday. This series is dedicated to highlighting the amazing faculty at CCC and the incredible work they do.

Croteau is a professor of mathematics at SUNY Corning Community College and has been teaching for over 20 years. Her passion for teaching and mathematics has made her a favorite among students and colleagues. 

In addition to her work in the classroom, Professor Croteau also works with local organizations to promote STEM education in the community. She advocates mathematical and statistical literacy and encourages students from all backgrounds to pursue their interests and advance their mathematics as a key to unlocking opportunities. We invite you to learn more about Professor Croteau this week and discover what makes her an inspiring person inside and outside the classroom! 

Q: When did you begin working at SUNY CCC, and why/how did you end up here?
A: I have taught math at CCC for half my life! I grew up in Orange County, New York, less than four hours from Corning toward New York City. By the end of high school, I wanted to be a high school teacher, and mathematics seemed like a challenge as a major but, ultimately, a fun subject to teach. I was certified to teach 7-12 mathematics. Fortunately, one of my professors at SUNY Geneseo encouraged me to apply to graduate school instead of entering a teaching job. Getting a master's degree in mathematics opened the door for me to teach at a community college, something I had not previously considered. I enjoyed teaching classes as a Teaching Assistant at Binghamton University to students from lots of different cultural, socioeconomic and mathematical backgrounds . I was fresh out of graduate school when I started at CCC back in the 1900s, well, in 1999.  

Q: What classes do you teach at SUNY CCC?
A: I have taught most of our math courses, from Prealgebra through Calculus II, Linear Algebra, and Probability & Statistics I. However, in recent semesters, I have taught mostly Elementary Statistics, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II, Math for Nursing, and College Trigonometry, all courses I love to teach since they are very hands-on and visual.

Q: What's your favorite part about being a faculty member at SUNY CCC?
A: The Mathematics Department faculty (both current and retired) have been like a second family to me. We share ideas to make courses better, brainstorm ways to improve how students learn, and have fun! A community college has open access, and I love the idea that everyone has an opportunity. I work with dedicated colleagues willing to help students make that a realistic and achievable career goal. I certainly enjoy teaching students of all different levels and mathematical backgrounds and trying to adapt to their ever-changing experiences. My fellow math faculty consistently help me to be a better teacher.

Q: What's been the best part of your professional career?
A: The best part of my career has been that I can continue to be creative in how I teach and try to adapt to my different students. I still love hearing those 'aha' moments when students figure something out, and I love seeing students get a twinkle of mathematical appreciation in their eyes. The other best parts were finishing my three-year stint as Mathematics Department Chair and serving as the President of NYSMATYC, the New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges.

Q: What's one thing most people don't know about you?
A: I have recently been teaching myself how to carve or whittle. So far, I can carve a decent wizard out of a stick or pencil.

Q:  What do you like to do during your free time/time outside of the classroom?
A: I coach my daughter's Corning Cinderella softball team, work as a Nature Educator and Gardener at the Bluebird Trail Farm during the summer, and I recently started playing pickleball, too!

Q: What is a memorable class moment? 
A: Having to tell a student that my dog ate his homework. (Well, he took a bite anyway!)

Q: What has changed the most about teaching?
A: The students change with the times, but the more significant thing is that now there is so much emphasis on technology, from ebooks to electronic HW systems to posting notes and videos. Sometimes I find teaching in person with a board and a marker (chalkboards I'm okay without) to be a relief and often very effective.

Q: What were some memorable events you were involved with at CCC?
A:

• Great Teachers Retreats (in Wellsboro)
• Pie-making in Perry Hall
• Being Faculty Assembly Chair
• Challenge Cup (a multi-company employee sports competition that we participated in)
• United Way Softball Tournaments
• John Polo 5K 
• Early Morning Basketball with students and employees
• Math Awareness Weeks 
• Math Learning Center
• Fibonacci Trail