Adding Up the Math Department

By Jennifer Adema, ICS admissions director

Brewster Christiansen originally walked the halls of ICS as a student, graduating in 2002. Mr. Christiansen returns to Intermountain Christian School as the K-12 Math Department chair with decades of mathematical instruction experience. Mr. Christiansen is taking a holistic approach to math and will be involved to some extent with math in all grades at ICS. He will work through a process called vertical teaming, partnering with teachers from all grades to assure seamless transitions from grade to grade in the study of math.

Mr. Christiansen hopes to see an interest in math grow all the way up through 12th grade. Elementary teachers can look for gaps in mathematical comprehension and work to bridge those gaps, improving the student body’s fluency in math skills. An ICS education allows differentiation for math beginning in 8th grade. Students can choose to take Math 8 or Algebra I during their 8th grade year. This allows students to be challenged and develop a deeper understanding of math facts and concepts, preparing them for their high school years. As students continue through each grade level at ICS, he hopes that more high school students will choose to push beyond Utah state standards and take a math course their senior year. 

Mr. Christiansen has set goals for the Math Department which can be measured over time through increase standardized test scores, both on the national and local levels. He says that math is an important part of life — because beyond learning facts, math can extend into other areas of learning. Math requires critical thinking, problem solving, and logical thinking. All areas of academia require these skills. A strong Math Department will lead to a strong Science Department, and so on. 

Mr. Christiansen is already showing his dedication to providing excellence in Christian education at ICS through mathematics. ICS is confident that the Math Department will challenge and encourage students to look beyond the calculator and understand the importance of math — in and out of the classroom!