About Us
| Skype: richardgoodbit |
 |
Richard & Chelsea Bitgood
Email: richard@mathonline.ca, chelsea@mathonline.ca
Richard and Chelsea Bitgood started developing math curriculum for Heritage Christian Online School in 2005 while they were still studying at University of British Columbia.
They have continued developing cutting edge distance learning and computer based classroom curriculum. Since then they and have gone on to become full time high school teachers after graduating from UBC.
Richard is a bachelor of science with a mathematics major and a computer science minor. Chelsea is also a mathematics major and has a minor in economics. Chelsea is certified under the BC College of teachers after completing the secondary teacher’s education program at UBC. Richard is certified through the Independent School Branch of British Columbia.
Their passion for education and desire to teach "out of the box" has lead them to develop the Mastery Math Method philosophy, in which students are directed to gain mastery of important concepts before moving on to progressively harder concepts, as opposed to the traditional method of teaching where students are pushed forward regardless of their understanding of the current material.
It is their dream to create a revolutionary way of learning math in which each student is given the opportunity to gain mastery of all levels of mathematics. Taking their classroom and computer-based distance learning experience they are developing processes and curriculum that facilitates a mastery approach to mathematics.
Bruce Merz
Bruce has a number of passions, but among the top are surely teaching and mathematics. Simply put, he loves teaching, loves math, and loves helping students achieve their potential.
He has taught over 10 years in the classroom at both the secondary and post-secondary level, working for the BC Ministry of Education developing provincial exams, and enjoying consistent success teaching both remedial math and AP Calculus throughout his career. Bruce is very familiar with Western Canada's math curriculum and which skills students need for continued success. He particularly enjoys helping higher-end math students think more intuitively about math to take them to a whole new level, as well as helping traditionally weak math students find difficult concepts easy and actually enjoyable!
His formal training complements his passions, with two degrees in education and two degrees in math. In order of completion, they are: BSc Mathematics, Minor in Physics (UBC); BEd Secondary Teaching in Mathematics and Physics (UBC); MA Curriculum and Instruction (Gonzaga); MSc Mathematics (U of T).
When Bruce constructed his first StudyForge video lesson, he was astonished at the end product. Having been widely regarded as an excellent classroom teacher, he found the StudyForge product to be far superior. It’s slick combination of video, audio, interactivity, and functionality make it second to none. He considers it an honour to be part of something that he feels has the potential to revolutionize math teaching as we know it.
Titus Heckel
Titus Heckel has a wide ranging background. He has a bachelor's degree in physics and a masters degree in theology. When he's not waxing eloquent on matters of faith or matter, he can be found at his computer writing stories and screenplays. Titus has been tutoring and teaching math for over ten years. During that time Titus has written math curriculum for various education centers, has taught basic arithmetic, calculus and everything in between, and has motivated many students to be excited about math. Students enjoy working with Titus because of his easy-going demeanor and his ability to make complex ideas easy to understand. He is excited to be a part of StudyForge's innovative and creative project to integrate math education with online technology.
Roberta MacDonald
Roberta MacDonald received her degree in Physical Education from UBC with a Math minor. She then did her diploma in Education and is certified under the BC College of Teachers. She taught high school Math and PE for 5 years in Vancouver with a short stint in Port Hardy at the start and then “retired” in order to home school her 4 kids. She has enjoyed the privilege of working for HCOS as a Support Teacher since 2006 and now has the added privilege of writing online Math courses. It is her desire to see every student “get” math. She is thrilled to be part of the Math team that is developing a mastery approach to Mathematics.