In a subject where most students feel lost, Mrs. Novak’s straightforward lessons turn ‘impossible’ Algebra into lessons where her students can easily learn.
Denise Novak is the Algebra 2 teacher at Lakeland High School. She graduated from Post Falls High School in 2008 and started her college career at the University of Idaho for her freshman year before transferring down to Boise State University, where she graduated from in 2012.
Novak has been teaching for fourteen years, and all fourteen of them have been at Lakeland.
She teaches the Algebra 2 and Honors Algebra 2 students, but has taught many of the math classes that Lakeland has to offer.
Novak said that she chose to go down the math route because it is something that she is passionate about.
“I have loved math forever” she said.
As a high school teacher, she has to think about not only teaching her kids the material of her class, but also how they can apply that knowledge to life.
She said that while she does teach her students the course material, she also tries to prepare them for life after high school.
“My mission is, obviously, to help students learn the math concepts, but I also like to teach them how to be successful in the real world” Novak said.
Outside of the classroom, Novak used to coach basketball before she had kids. Now, she helps out with the scoreboard and official recording of scores for both the volleyball and basketball teams.
She also makes the video introductions for Lakeland players that are shown at home games.
While some students find math to be something complicated and hard to understand, Novak’s students find math understandable and enjoyable.
With her straightforward lessons, comedic quips, and extra help available, Novak’s students are some of the luckiest when it comes to Algebra.
Junior Kylea Bartram, a former student of Novak, said that Novak was one of her favorite math teachers when it came to understanding the material.
“For some reason, her lessons I understood more. Maybe it was the material, but her lessons I understood more than other math teachers I’ve had” Bartram said.
Junior Stormy Lawson, a current student in Novak’s class, had a similar opinion.
“The amount of time spent on them just makes sure that every step of the way, you’re understanding” Lawson said.
Novak’s not only a great teacher, but also a very likeable person. When she’s not telling kids to be quiet so she can teach, she’s a nice person to talk to and tries to connect to her students.
“She’s not scary. I mean, she got to know students on a more personal level” Bartram said.
Bartram even admitted to complaining about her day to Novak.
Lawson had a similar answer, saying that Novak gives all her students an equal chance at success.
“She’s very personable. She gets her kids on a much more level playing field when she talks to them, and makes sure that every kid understands what she’s trying to say” said Lawson.
Novak is an all around great teacher, and any student that gets her for Algebra 2 is a lucky one.