Cynthia Lehmkuhle, M.S.

Faculty, CLI
Specialty: Mathematics
Phone: 507-280-4652
Fax: 507-280-2820
Email: lehmk008@umn.edu

Education

M.S., Mathematics, Middle Tennessee State University, 1977
B.S., Education (Secondary Mathematics & Physics), Wright State University, 1973

Background

I think I was born to be a mathematician. Within this field, my organizational skills, logical and critical thinking, and propensity to solve problems have led me to a variety of jobs– both academic and statistical. My main career and first love, however, has been teaching.

I have taught mathematics for more than 25 years at various levels, from high school to university, and in both public and private college settings. Additionally, I have worked as tutor and mentor to individuals and groups of students, roles that I cherish. This breadth of experience has helped me develop innovative teaching practices.

I have also worked in academia from the administrative side, doing institutional research (IR) for the University of Missouri-St. Louis. This work, which involves participating in national surveys and analyzing university-wide data to see how students are progressing, identify trends in retention and graduation rates, etc, gave me a broad understanding of what works in university education. I am very invested in promoting programs and teaching methods that lead to success for all students.

Starting a new undergraduate program, as we are here at UMR, is alluring and exciting. The opportunity to design and build programs, services and facilities that meet the needs of contemporary students, staff and community is a rarity.

Teaching

My philosophy is that teaching is like coaching: I coach students to become active learners using enthusiasm, encouragement, and excitement. Mathematics is a skill that students need to be able to do, not just know about. I take students from where they are to where they need to be, at their own pace, nudging and encouraging them along the way.

I am not a “sage on the stage.” A few years ago I developed my own collaborative teaching approach, which alternates brief, five-minute presentations with small group work. It’s a very successful method; I don’t think I could ever go back to the lecture as a way to teach a class. The curriculum and advanced technology at UMR is excellent for this teaching approach—it’s individualized, technology rich, and activity based. I’ve never had the luxury to have a space like the LearnLab™, which we have here at UMR. I’m excited to be able to use my collaborative teaching method in this type of learning space, with its top-of-the-line technology. Overall, at UMR the potential for teamwork, collaboration and integration is enormous.

Past Academic Positions

• Lindenwood College - St. Charles, MO: Associate Professor
• Coastal Georgia Community College - Kingsland, GA: Assistant Professor
• Columbia College - Columbia, MO: Adjunct Professor, Math Specialist
• University of Missouri – Kansas City, MO: Math Specialist
• Moberly Area Community College - Columbia, MO: Adjunct Professor
• Barrington College – Barrington, RI: Instructor
• Piedmont Virginia Community College - Charlottesville, VA: Lecturer