Retired math teacher adds his time at PM
Working a full work day Monday through Thursday in the math office, retired math teacher Mike Slack dedicates his extra time to PM students who need additional math help. Students work with him in order to improve their standardized math test scores. Above, Slack helps junior Brooklyn Sanders in Algebra (Photo by Alexis Lee).
A retired pre-calculus teacher after 42 years, Mike Slack, continues his legacy as a Falcon staffer in the Math Lab office.
Slack attended high school at Terre Haute Garfield which closed down in 1971. Having not been very good at math in high school and showing little interest in the subject, he moved on to college at Indiana State University to obtain his English major. That is, until two of his college friends who were majoring in math influenced him. Slack switched his major to math within his first year.
Having had much experience as a math teacher, Slack decided to stick around Perry’s halls to teach students even after his retirement in 2015.
Calculus teacher and Math Department Head, Chris Allen, holds Slack at really high regard, along with several other math teachers. “He cares about kids. You know, he retired and I think he realizes there’s something special about this place,” he said.
“No planning, no grading, no evaluation, just helping kids,” said Slack.
In the math office, Slack helps students who need assistance in math ranging from Algebra I through Pre-Calculus.
One of them is senior Andre Harlan. Harlan said Slack reminds him of Mr. Rogers, the late, gentle and kind host of the PBS children’s show. “Old, white, and funny,” giggled Harlan. “He’s like the father I never had.”
Harlan is thankful for math lab because he can get the help he needs in a “teenage way.” Slack doesn’t go straight by the math textbook; he explains math in ways Harlan better understands.
“There it is. Good job,” is a reassuring phrase Slack is known to say.
Slack is unsure how long he will tutor at Perry. But, his work in the math office pays off for students who seek help.
He sees approximately 80 kids per week, some come more than once and from year to year.
To get math help from Slack, students should stop by the math office room 2-9A. He is available all-day Monday through Thursday and after school most days for about 30 minutes. Students need to have a pass from their math teacher or their study hall teacher to meet with him.