We are delighted to spotlight Dr. Hillary VanSpronsen, a dedicated and passionate educator who teaches at Maine Maritime Academy. Dr. VanSpronsen, who primarily teaches precalculus and calculus courses, has been using the Hawkes Learning platform since 2019 to help foster student success. One of our Hawkes Student Ambassadors, Orion Tevanian, interviewed Dr. VanSpronsen to discuss her teaching philosophy, how she incorporates Hawkes into her courses, and her thoughts on the platform’s mastery-based approach. Read along to learn more about Dr. VanSpronsen’s Hawkes experience.
Dr. VanSpronsen teaches several versions of precalculus, including classes with varying speeds and content, such as business math and trigonometry. This semester, she is also using Hawkes’ Single Variable Calculus with Early Transcendentals for her Calculus II course. Having worked with different textbooks and learning tools over the years, Dr. VanSpronsen has found that Hawkes offers the flexibility and support her students need. “I’ve been using Hawkes since 2019 at a previous institution, and I’ve used it in various forms, mostly for precalculus,” she said. “It’s been a great experience.”
When asked about her favorite aspect of teaching, Dr. VanSpronsen highlighted the connection she builds with her students. “My students are absolutely the favorite part of my day. Going into teaching is not a drain; it fills my cup,” she shared.
She enjoys engaging with her students both inside and outside the classroom. “I love talking with them, joking with them, and teaching them,” she added. “There is nothing that they could tell me that would delight me more than to say at the end of the semester that they liked my class and they potentially have a different view of math.”
Dr. VanSpronsen told us that she has used nearly every online homework system available over the last 20 years. One of the standout features of Hawkes that Dr. VanSpronsen appreciates is the platform’s mastery-based approach. Unlike traditional methods that focus purely on right or wrong answers, Hawkes’ Learn, Practice, Certify model encourages students to truly master the material, helping them build a solid foundation for future learning. She appreciates that Hawkes allows her the flexibility to adjust the mastery threshold for her classes.
Dr. VanSpronsen’s teaching philosophy centers on the importance of practice and using all available resources to succeed. She encourages her students to take advantage of the tools provided in Hawkes, including video explanations, the textbook, and built-in help features. By giving students the opportunity to practice, review, and learn at their own pace, Dr. VanSpronsen helps them gain the confidence they need to succeed in math.
Dr. VanSpronsen’s approach to teaching, combined with the support of Hawkes, empowers students to not only excel in her courses but also to build confidence in their mathematical abilities for years to come. At the heart of Dr. VanSpronsen’s teaching philosophy is a belief in her students’ ability to succeed. She strives to create a classroom environment that fosters both academic growth and personal development.
“I believe all students are capable of doing math,” she said. “They just need the right coaching, the right materials, and the right mindset.”
