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Bill Hart has taught mathematics full time at Macomb Community College since l964. His teaching schedule has included Math for Education, Calculus, Statistics, Algebra, Differential Equations, and Precalculus. "Beginning Algebra is a favorite class to teach, because Miss Helen DeJonge at East Grand Rapids High School made the experience so wonderful.... it's great to relive that --trying to pass on to others the sparkle that she always had." Hart was the first faculty member to receive the EXCELLENCE
IN TEACHING AWARD when Macomb began the recognition program in 1989. Later that year, Hart was named MICHIGAN'S PROFESSOR OF
THE YEAR, 1989-1990
by C.A.S.E., Washington D.C.
While employed at M.C.C. Hart has taught part time at Wayne State University, Mercy College, and Project S.E.E.D. (Special Elementary Education for the Disadvantaged).
Hart has been keynote speaker and presenter at several educational conferences (D.C.T.M - Detroit area Council of Teachers of Mathematics, L.A.N.D. - Liberal Arts Network Development). In Iowa City, Iowa, Hart served on a mathematics question writing committee for A.C.T.
While serving on Macomb’s “Common Curricular Outcomes” committee, Hart did a survey on
Numeracy/Innumeracy and prepared a report, with suggestions on how instructors in other
disciplines could incorporate quantitative thinking and literacy into their offerings, and how “Writing to Learn Mathematics” can be included in any math course.
Hart’s nonprofit Argentine Book Project has placed 84,000 donated textbooks in Argentine schools, universities, and libraries. This labor of love was carried out with the help of many volunteers: former students, teaching colleagues, K-12 teacher friends, wife Lidia and sons.
(A VERY special thank you for volunteer work on the Book Project goes to WWII veteran,
fellow trumpet player, and dear friend, Mr. Ray Brennan --300,000 miles by ship in WWII.
Ray has attended more Math With Hart assemblies and Family Programs than anyone on
our planet, except for Bill Hart!)
Hart toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra for six months in 1962, and is still active as
a professional trumpet player. The music/math connection is a part of each math program.
The flugelhorn and trumpet liven up the room while the students are being seated. The students
enjoy hearing their requests played spontaneously (most requested: Star Wars, Old McDonald,
MSU/UM fight songs, Twinkle Twinkle, Pink Panther, and Disney tunes).
In addition to Math With Hart assemblies, teacher in-service, and family programs, Hart gives
“BIG BAND MEMORIES” programs, recalling a 20 minute conversation with Louis
Armstrong, and performances with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Dinah Shore, Maguire Sisters,
Eddie Fisher, Roger Williams, Vic Damone, and many more.
Hart performs regularly with the
Rhythm Society Orchestra,
a 16 piece swing band that plays the music of Sinatra, Basie, Ellington, Artie Shaw, Bobby Darin and Glenn Miller.
Students at the assemblies respond emotionally to the live music. A similar emotional connection (WITH MATHEMATICS !) occurs when assembly members are ENGAGED with the interactivie audience participation challenges (Carnival Game-Can You Win A Dollar? -
The Bridge Challenge - What’s the Number of King Arthur’s Lucky Chair). These teasers
are based upon solid mathematical principals: number theory, digital roots, powers of 2, etc.
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