Math instructor goes extra mile for students
Before joining the Rogue Community College faculty in 1984, Dennis Kimzey taught math at several high schools in California.
He enjoys the college classroom atmosphere as students develop math skills and newfound confidence.
“For a long time I have felt there is a definite willingness at Rogue to make teaching the primary focus. Students are the number-one priority,” said Kimzey, who heads the RCC Math Department.
Kimzey holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from California Polytechnic State University.
Natalia Fear, who graduates in June with a 4.0 GPA, has taken five classes from Kimzey and considers him an important teacher in her time at Rogue.
“He explains the subject well, answers questions and makes an extra effort,” she said.
Natalia Fear
Natalia Fear: Young, smart, headed for success
Try as he might, math instructor Dennis Kimzey has never been able to stump 17-year-old Natalia Fear with a calculus question during the two years she’s been at Rogue Community College.
“Natalia Fear is one of those remarkable students you only get a couple of time in a career,” said Kimzey, who heads the RCC Math Department. “She’s outstanding; you know she’s going to go somewhere,” he added. “She’s just excellent at calculus.
Kimzey has taught Fear in five classes: four calculus and a differential equations section, and says she helps other students with their math, including working as a math tutor for RCC’s TRiO program.
“It’s great to help other students in math, and I really enjoy teaching,” she said.
Two years ago at age 15, following her freshman year at North Valley High School, Fear enrolled at RCC seeking greater academic challenges.
“I definitely felt welcome at RCC,” she said, adding that her brother and sister also have attended Rogue. She took 16 credits her first term and went on to compile a 4.0 GPA. She recently graduated with honors, earning an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree – one of the youngest students ever to graduate from Rogue.
“The best part about RCC is how approachable teachers are,” said Fear, who has had a lifelong interest in math and science. “Most of my classes are interactive. There’s a nice atmosphere. I definitely recommend RCC.”
Kimzey is one reason for that recommendation.
“He explains the subject well, answers questions and makes an extra effort,” said Fear, who recently received the 2010 Outstanding Mathematics Student award at RCC’s honors night. Fear has also received a National Merit Scholarship, an honor presented annually to only 50,000 of the 1.5 million applicants. The award carries with it a $1,000 scholarship.
Next fall she will transfer to Harvey Mudd College, a prestigious academic school in Claremont, Calif. Fear selected Clairmont for its smaller size and excellent research opportunities. She aims to attend graduate school, majoring in psychics or aeronautical engineering. In 10 years she’d like to be teaching physics at a university.
“I like science because I enjoy the challenge of figuring problems out and seeing how the world works,” she said.
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