Adding Up the Math Department

Adding Up the Math Department

By Jennifer Adema, ICS admissions director

Mr. Christiansen and students

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!

Meet Mr. Christiansen!

Meet Mr. Christiansen!

What's your new ICS title and position?

I am the new high school math teacher!

Where are you from? If you're not originally from UT, how did you end up here?

I was born in Alaska, but moved to Utah when I was 4 and grew up here, attending ICS from Preschool through 12th grade.

Where do you go to Church?

I am currently attending South Mountain Community Church in South Jordan.

Tell us about your family!

I am married to my wife Leah (15 years) and have 2 daughters, Marlow (10 years old) and Bobbie (8 years old).  We also have two dogs, Miko (Border Collie/Australian Shepherd Mix) and Nala (Lab Mix).  We love to camp, hike, rock climb, ski, play basketball and softball, and hang out with friends and family.

What is something most people don't know about you? OR What are you most passionate about?

I am pretty passionate about making math a good experience for my students. The subject has gotten a bad rap over the years and so I try to work hard to make sure students enjoy learning it regardless of what kind of skills they enter the classroom with.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role at ICS?

I am most looking for to connecting with my students and getting reconnected in the ICS community. I've been away from ICS for a long time now, but still know that the community atmosphere at the school is great and deepens the learning environment for the students and the work environment for the faculty and staff.

What else would you like the ICS community to know about you?

I kind of gave you some of this info in question 4, but I guess you could also add one more fun fact.  I was born in the Alaskan town of North Pole. It's basically Christmas all year round up there with candy cane street lights and a permanent Santa's Village. It's also one of the few cities in the U.S. that the postal service sends the Santa letters to that kids randomly drop in the mail around Christmas.