Hello, my name is Katerina Koutouvas. I am a  mathematics teacher and I studied at Valparaiso University.  I am glad that you have taken the time to come to my website and to get a little glance into my world. Throughout my entire college career, I have used technology in all of my classes from microsoft office to movie editors and even different math programs. Due to this constant practice, I feel very confident that I will be able to incorporate technology into my classroom since just like math technology is everywhere. 
Throughout the year, I will update my page so that you, parents and students will be able to check for homework and notes, and even receive extra help. 
If I can help in anyway by posting more information or making this site easier to understand, just let me know. This site is meant to be helpful and if you all have any ideas that would increase the help it provides, send them right over. 
If you want to know more about me, take a look at my glog, http://kate1991.edu.glogster.com/meet-me-/.

This year we are going to be learning about trigonometric ratios. In addition, we will be using information that was taught in Algebra I and II and Geometry by applying it to different types of problems. We also will deal with sequences and series and finding equations that deal with the pattern. Then, we will deal with functions and graphs which may be a little different than what the students are typically uses to. The functions will be polynomials, rational, exponential, and logarithmic. Therefore, the students will experience a broad variety. More importantly, some of these functions will use real life examples which I believe make math much more interesting than it already is. Lastly, we will be learning about limits and derivatives which is when the material slowly approaches Calculus. This material is not always the easiest to grasp, but I am hoping that the students enjoy it as much as I do in the end.

This year, we will review concepts that have been learned in the previous years, but we will go more in depth in areas like factoring and several different properties. We will deal with writing and graphing linear equations and inequalities, while also solving systems of these equations which will determine where teh lines intersect if they do. In addition, once linear equations are understood, we will continue on to to quadratic equations; hence, we will cover the ideas of powers and  exponents, but do not be scared, I will do my best in helping you understand the material. Lastly, as i said, factoring will be used quite often with polynomials and solving quadratics, but we will also use two formulas that should be very common to you. The quadratic formula and Pythagorean theorem will become your best friends. 

Algebra is the first step in understanding mathematics, so do not be scared to jump right in, you only learn when you try. Mistakes help us learn and if you ever need help understanding something feel free to ask because as you know others probably feel the same and just are also scared. This is not a scary class, and I hope you all enjoy Algebra as much as I do. 

This is not a class, but a place for helpful information and reminders, such as handouts, notes, and letters for myself, and or parents depending on the context.

Valparaiso University
Katerina Koutouvas