Adjunct Professor of the Year Award

Is the teacher really wearing goofy glasses? Or reading an inspirational story to the class? Is that a Beethoven sonata playing in the background? Is this really mathematics? The answers to all these questions are a resounding "yes" for students taking one of Robert Belin's classes. Rob teaches MTH-141, College Algebra, and MTH-150, Calculus I-courses that deal with complicated math equations and formulas. "I try to throw in the 'wow' factors," he says. His aim is to make what can often be anxiety-inducing course work less stressful, with a classroom environment that fosters student success.

Rob knows what it's like to be on the student side of the desk; he used to be a Moraine Valley student himself. In his former life, working downtown as an accountant, Rob took classes here to brush up some skills. After leaving the corporate world, he became a high school mathematics teacher, joining the faculty at Thornton Fractional South in Lansing. In 2000, Rob began part-time teaching at Moraine Valley. "My students remind me of what I was like when I took classes here," he says. "They bring the same attitudes and same aspirations to the classroom." One thing Rob genuinely understands is the phobia many people have when it comes to the subject matter. He utilizes the offbeat techniques as a way of disarming that fear. If students are going to work on a "hard" problem, he dons a hard hat. This comic release cuts through stress in a big way. Says one of his former students, "Mr. Belin loves to challenge us in a fun way. There hasn't been one class yet where we haven't laughed. He always finds a way to grab our attention. He really wants to see us succeed and will make that possible by any means."

That's where the music comes in. "A study done in Europe found that math scores improved when Mozart or Beethoven played in the background," says Rob. "The research showed that music opens the analytical part of the brain." Though initially skeptical, he tried playing classical music for background ambience in his classes. He got positive feedback from students, who told Rob they found the music a great stress reliever. Consequently, the great composers are now part of his teaching tool kit.

Rob's distinctive style extends to our Center for Teaching and Learning, where he teaches a "Make Mondays Rock: A Practical and Research-Based Look at Teaching Methodologies" workshop. Kristine Christensen, director of faculty development, says Rob's sessions are fun and informative. "Rob is an energetic, charismatic and exceptional teacher," she adds.

Rob lives in Lansing with his wife, Barbara, and their four children. Barbara also is a member of our adjunct faculty. The couple met-appropriately enough-in a geometry class when both were students at DePaul University.

This article and photograph are reprinted courtesy of and with the permission of Moraine Valley Community College http://www.morainevalley.edu/