Welcome to My Class
—Welcome to My Class – Mrs. Cheryl Gonatos—
My Classroom At NFC Academy
About Me
Math has always been one of my favorite subjects, and one of my greatest influences was my high school math teacher. Her passion for teaching sparked my own interest in becoming an educator.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Florida State University, where I also discovered a love for programming after taking my first computer course. This led me to minor in Computer Science—at a time when microcomputers were just being introduced in schools.
My teaching career began at Thomasville High School, where I taught both mathematics and computer science. As interest in computers grew and few teachers had experience in the subject, I spent the first 10 years of my career not only teaching computer science but also helping other faculty members learn how to integrate technology into their classrooms.
As word processing became more popular and fewer students enrolled in computer science courses, I gradually shifted to teaching more math classes. Later, I had the opportunity to help launch an alternative, computer-based school, where I served as both a teacher and program coordinator for over a decade.
During this time, I also worked part-time with Florida Virtual School, teaching computer science for about five years. My interest in educational leadership led me to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership from Valdosta State University, which I completed in 2007.
In the final years of my full-time career, I served as a middle school graduation coach. I officially retired in 2012 but continued to work part-time in education , serving as a parent involvement coordinator at an elementary school.
Since 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of working part-time with NFC Academy, continuing my passion for supporting students in their learning journey.
About My Family
My husband, Michael, and I are both retired and live in Tallahassee, Florida. We have a wonderful, blended family that includes four children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandson, whom we help care for part-time. Michael enjoys playing tennis, and we both love traveling—especially when it means spending time with our children, who live in North Carolina, California, and various locations across North America. I enjoy reading and listening to audiobooks, and in my free time, I like to stay active by walking and swimming.
Let’s Enjoy Math Class Together!
To be successful in your math course, I recommend having the following supplies:
- Notebook or binder for recording:
- Vocabulary terms and definitions
- Theorems and properties
- Worked examples and personal notes
- Compass and straight edge or ruler (required for Geometry)
- Graph paper – If you don’t have any, I’d be happy to send you a printable template.
- Calculator:
- Most computers come with a built-in calculator.
- A scientific calculator is recommended for pre-algebra and algebra math courses.
- A graphing calculator is helpful for Algebra II and above.
- There are also free online graphing calculators such as Desmos.
Tips for Success in Math
- Take thorough notes during lessons. Write down definitions, theorems, and step-by-step examples.
- Use your examples to study. One great way to test your understanding is to cover the solution to an example with a sheet of paper and try solving it on your own. If you can complete it without looking, you’ve mastered the concept!
- Watch all videos and read all lesson materials carefully. Don’t skip steps or rush through assignments.
- Ask questions! If you’re confused or stuck, reach out. I’m always happy to help.
- Practice regularly. Math is a subject that builds over time, so staying consistent is key.