Foard's dedication adds up to classroom success

by Caroline Basile, editor-in-chief

        

When Pat Foard was working as a teaching assistant, she realized that she had found her calling.

Foard, an assistant professor of mathematics at South Plains College, started her college-level teaching career at SPC in 1982 and has worked at the college for 25 years.

Foard says she found her passion for teaching while working as a teaching assistant at West Texas A&M University, while pursuing her master's degree.

"I had always wanted to do something with mathematics," Foard says. "But I didn't think I would become a teacher."

Prior to joining SPC, Foard taught at Littlefield Junior High School, teaching algebra. She then applied for a job with SPC, where she has remained ever since.

If she was not teaching, Foard says that she would still want to be in the mathematics field.

"I probably would have worked in statistics for businesses and in quality control, something involving math," Foard says.

Foard attended the University of Oklahoma, where she received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She later received her master's degree from WTAMU.

"I really enjoy that I get to teach my courses how I want to," Foard says. "The Math Department has set standards for each class, but we all get a chance to meet them with our own way of teaching."

Foard, who teaches College Algebra, Elementary Statistics and a math course for nursing students, says it is not just that she can teach the way she wants to, but it is also seeing the students learn and understand the material.

"I enjoy the atmosphere at the school," Foard adds. "It is a combination of the other instructors, employees and, especially the students. I always enjoy hearing their input."

In her time outside of the classroom, Foard, who lives in Levelland, enjoys quilting and other arts and crafts. Also, Foard and her husband regularly attend Texans and Lady Texans basketball games.

Foard has also authored several study guides for Statistics courses for education publishers McGraw-Hill and Pearson Education.

"It's great to know that you helped contribute to something that will educate another person," Foard says. "It's a good opportunity.”

Foard is a member of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, which is comprised of other math instructors, and holds an annual conference that Foard attends.

After working at SPC for 25 years, Foard says there are no signs of slowing down and retiring.

"I'm definitely not going anywhere," Foard says of the possibility of retiring. "I'm not planning on it, and it's not happening any time soon."

Photo by Melissa Rinehart/Plainsman Press