Mr. Matthew Linhares, a beloved math teacher, has been teaching the subject for over six years. His clear passion for math is evident in the courses he teaches, some of the most challenging available at Mitty, including AP Calculus BC and Multivariable Calculus. However, despite the demanding nature of these classes, his students describe his teaching style as relaxed. He often brings interesting anecdotes from his past to the table, using them to reinforce the importance and impact of math in every aspect of life. Noticing such effects, he realizes that “the same math you use in economics is the math used in physics, […] chemistry, … anthropology, kinship studies, […] and politics.” Universal applications of math in related subjects such as these draw him toward exploring and teaching the subject. 

Growing up, however, Mr. Linhares did not consider pursuing math as a career. In fact, math was one of the subjects he struggled most with, as he only managed to advance to Algebra II in high school. Although he decided to major in environmental science for college, it was there that one of his professors discerned his mathematical potential and convinced him to switch his major.

Following his college graduation, Mr. Linhares learned that his passion was teaching rather than settling in the actual work of his field. He first specialized in nuclear engineering, as he was formerly a teacher assistant for it at Berkeley. 

However, he added math tutoring on the side. The amount of time and resources he dedicated towards helping these students increased as he gathered more tutees, and Mr. Linhares decided to fully embrace teaching as a career when he first taught at BASIS.

Mr. Linhares strives for his students to understand the concepts through practice and time, as he believes there is no substitute for these elements. Although he doesn’t expect his pupils to immediately comprehend the skills, he said, “after you keep at it, … something clicks and they get it … it’s so exciting to see when they finally ask a good question.” Mr. Linhares is gradually integrating more skills into his curriculum, and within the next couple of years he aims to include applications of the subject matter.

Aside from 6 years of teaching at Mitty, he enjoys a variety of activities that range from modeling honeybee hives, to making pizza, to playing ice hockey. He enjoys staying active and participating in his hobbies, but isn’t opposed to mixing in silent and introspective moments as well.

Mr. Linhares has found gratitude through these moments, and though he has overcome different obstacles in his life, he has learned to stay optimistic. He’s thankful to have found his passion in teaching math and looks to keep at it in the future.