Werner B Pries
Always: Husband, Father, Lifelong Learner
Usually: Teacher, Computer Programmer, Web Developer
Whenever possible: Runner, Cyclist
Welcome
I want to take the opportunity to welcome all my students and their parents to the resources available on this website. Likely, the most common resource used will be your access to your grades. However, be sure to browse around at some of the other material available. In particular, as the semester progresses to its conclusion, examinations review material will become available.
About me...
I have been teaching at the Regional since the early 90's. What some have come to realize is that I happen to love math and computer programming. Really - there isn't much else which is purely mental gymnastics. It is my desire to impart a little of my love of these subjects upon my students. My former students have moved off into careers of medicine, genetics, business, engineering, agriculture to name a few. However, a couple of students have also gone on to complete their Ph.D. studies in mathematics. Cool! I think a lot of people secretly love math more than they are willing to admit. After all, how many of you do Sudoku puzzles to the point of frustration, yet persist in beginning another challenge when complete?
Education
Educationally, I never expected to be a teacher. Far from it, when I was in high school, I had fantastic great (and fantastically crazy) teachers. However, the idea of working with teenagers all day - you've got to be nuts! A degree in electrical engineering, graduate work in computer engineering and many years of research in those fields were my entire pursuit for 10 years. It was a great life, study and research all day - and get paid for it! Having spent 10 years working primarily with computers and relatively few people, near the end of my graduate work, I began teaching at the University of Manitoba in computer engineering, then for the UofM at CMBC (now CMU) in mathematics. Interestingly I discovered people. I found a certain appeal in working with students, and more so, with high school students. It's been a fun time - not easy - but still fun.
My Loves
I also happen to have a number of other "loves" in my life. Number 1 is my fantastic wife. Next is our family of four wonderful children. My students would likely come next in my list. But to explain the banner above, I should mention that the 1975 Super Beetle was my joy in high school. Shortly after, I sold it (mistake) and eventually found the 1977 KZ1000 motorbike (excellent c-m) but the need for university financing led to its selling (sad). Now I would rather not drive a vehicle at all, but instead be either road biking (blue-silver trek), bike touring (gold bike norco), skiing (either nordic or alpine), or running.
The Future
I look forward to teaching for a number of years yet. I feel there I still have a long way to go to develop the kind of educational classroom which I keep imagining. My current students will likely not see that develop in their time with me, but it is my hope to get closer to that vision. I know it is impossible to get there, but if I don't keep trying, I may as well hang up my slide rule.
