High school senior experiences day as a teacher

By Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

Students everywhere wish for the opportunity to step before the class and teach. One local high school student had that opportunity, and was able to teach the teachers.

Cross Allen is a senior at Daingerfield High School. He has been involved on the math team since he was in sixth grade. Allen has competed at all levels of Texas Math competitions, and his prowess is in Calculator. Allen was third in state in 2015 in that competition.

This competition is not simply how to use a regular, every day calculator. Most involve the Texas Instruments 89, a very functional science and graphing calculator. The Calculator competition, according to the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association website, “includes calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponential, logarithms, trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest includes geometric and stated problems similar to those found in algebra, geometry and trigonometry textbooks, previous contests and League materials related to the contest.”

According to Daingerfield High School principal Ryan Carroll, “Cross has mastered all the tips and strategies for competitions.” Due to Cross’ ability to manipulate the calculators, DHS Math Team coach David Brotherton asked for his help with a presentation at Region 8 for Math coach in the Region 8 service area.

“Mr. Brotherton was to teach a workshop at Region 8. He made the powerpoint, ad asked me to present the information to the teachers in attendance,” said Allen. All of the tips and strategies that Cross has mastered, he shared with those coaches in attendance. When asked how the teachers responded to a student teaching them, Cross said, “They all did very well. They were real attentive.”

According to Carroll, “Daingerfield High School has history of success in Math and Science, including the 2014 2A State Calculator team championship.” And Allen’s knowledge has now been shared with other coaches in the area.

After graduation, Allen has plans to attend Louisiana Tech, where he plans to major in Civil Engineering. He hopes to one day draw up schematics for buildings and bridges. His knowledge of the TI-89 will continue to be an asset for him in that career.