A the university daily kansan
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news
friday, april 16, 2004
Math teacher closer in age to students than teachers
By Samia Khan
skhan@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When Noah Laible began teaching math classes at the University of Kansas, most of his students were only one or two years younger than him.
The student from Overland Park is a few credits away from being a senior, considering his 2002 high-school-graduation date, he should only be a college sophomore.
This year Laible began teaching Math 101, a college algebra class of 26 students. Laible is one of the younger students teaching KU math classes. He said most of the other math teachers are juniors, seniors or graduate students.
Laible said he hasn't had any problems gaining respect from his class full of college students who are almost the same ages as him. He actually gets uncomfortable if students call him "Mr. Laible."
"The more you can convince them that you're a math dork, the funnier they think you are."
Ire said the hardest problem was keeping students motivated. Laibie is more concerned with making sure the students stay interested and understand the material than getting their
Noah Laible
Overland Park junior
respect. He tries to use pictures, graphics and his own enthusiasm to excite his students.
"The more you can convince them that you're a math dork, the funnier they think you are," he said. "I don't know, maybe they just consider me lame."
Laible began taking classes full-time at the University his senior year in high school, commuting and working at his father's bottle-cap factory during the first semester. He relocated his second semester. Laible was a college student living in his own apartment before he graduated high school.
Standing up and talking in front of a group of strangers on the first day of class was the hardest part for Laible, who considers himself shy. His mother, Bev Laible, said he gains respect by dedicating himself to helping his students succeed. She said she has met acquaintances in the supermarket that said their son or daughter was in Laible's class and could always count on him staying late to help them.
Noah Laible, Overland Park junior, taught a math class in Strong Hall yesterday. Laible has been at the University of Kansas for two years and teaches students only a year or two younger than him.
David Hickey has been friends with Laible for the six years. The Overland Park sophomore said most of Laible's best friends in high school were older, making the early transition was easier for him. Hickey knew Laible as one of the smartest students in their high school class and talented in communicating his math skills.
Hickey said it was strange knowing Laible was a college and high school student.
Abby Tillery/Kansan
"He was sort of still in high school, but he just never came," Hickey said.
The classes Laible took counted toward his high school diploma. He graduated with his high school class in 2002, but it was more of a formality because he was already a college student.
By the time most of his high school classmates were freshmen in college, Laible was already enrolled in 500-level math classes. His mother said since the sixth grade, he was two years
ahead of his grade in math and a year ahead of the honors math classes. Starting college early was never a hard decision because he was always ready for a new challenge, she said.
Laible was used to starting
early. He remembered when he was in kindergarten and his parents did flashcards and quiz games with him at the dinner table.
Laiable likes math because there are set paths to follow in
solving problems. He enjoys helping others make sense of those paths. He said he loves showing his students that math is not just numbers and symbols.
Edited by Amanda Kim Stairrett
University programs help seniors with late job searches
By Anna Clovis
aclovis@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The graduation countdown is on. With only four weeks left until the event, some students are in a rush to prepare for life after college.
Mary Andrade Carlson, assistant director of University Career Services, said this time of year was tough for students who hadn't started looking for jobs yet.
"Those who have prepared well are getting results," Andrade Carlson said, "but for those who haven't it's not too late."
That's because they don't have to do it alone. The University of Kansas offers several programs to help those who haven't started their preparations.
Since March University Career Services has offered "Backpacks to Briefcases" workshops geared toward students preparing to graduate. Topics covered include diversity, resume preparation and
"Those who have prepared well are getting results, but for those who haven't it's not too late."
Mary Andrade Carlson Assistant director of University Career Services
etiquette.
Wednesday's etiquette dinner attracted 82 students to the Kansas Union to learn eating and conversation tips.
Beth Peer, graduate intern for University Career Services, said seniors needed this kind of information before they graduated.
"The more professional knowledge they receive now, the better prepared they will be." Peer said.
David Gaston, director of University Career Services, said today's graduates don't have the same number of job offers students once had.
"There are things you could do in the past that aren't available now." Gaston said. "People looking for careers in computer science in 1999 don't have those same options now."
Students have to be more open minded about their job searches, Gaston said.
Students who are behind in job searching should schedule an appointment with University Career Services now, Gaston said.
"It's better late than never," he said.
Students who miss out on on-campus job fairs and services will have to do more of the work on their own, he said.
The next "Backpacks to Briefcases" event is called "Better Late than Jobless." The workshop was held yesterday and will be held again on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 149 at the Burge Union.
— Edited by Michelle Rodick
Dems headed to Atchison
By Patrick Cady pcady@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Groups to network, discuss future of party at conference
Young Democrats from throughout the state of Kansas will head to Atchison this weekend for the 2004 Kansas Young Democrats State Convention.
Seven members of KU's Young Democrats will make the trip to discuss the political issues and connect with like-minded people from throughout the state.
"It's kind of a social networking experience for people to meet Democratic activists through out Kansas," said Tom Keating, Marysville junior and president of the KU Young Democrats.
At the conference, Young Democrats will elect new statewide party officials and help outline the issues facing the party.
They will also take part in a march for Congressional candidate Nancy Boyda, who is running against Jim Ryun (R-Kan.) for a seat
in the U.S. House of Representatives for the second district.
The Kansas Young Democrat Party acts as a go-between for university Young Democrat parties and the official state party.
"It's a Democratic organization, so it's the goal of a lot of people to see it operate democratically." Keating said.
Bryan Behgam, Dallas junior, will be going to the conference for the first time. He said he thought the conference was especially important this year.
"Basically, 2004 is a big year for us," Behgam said. "I just want to be sure we talk about the right things and that we have something to contribute when the election comes around."
Some platforms might range from gay marriage and Congress elections to other issues in the media, said Madelaine Marchin, Manhattan senior, who is going to Atchinson.
There's waning support for the
THE DEMOCRATS UNITE
What: 2004 Kansas Young Democrats Convention
When: 6 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m.
to 9 p.m. tomorrow
Where: Benedictine College,
Atchison
Why: To meet other Kansas
Young Democrats and decide party issues
Source: www.ku.edu/~kudems
conference among the ranks of the KU Young Democrats, Marchin said, because few people know what the state group can accomplish.That might not last though, she said.
"I think this one will be more important than the last ones because it's a rebuilding year," Marchin said.
Edited by Henry C. Jackson
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