David Chandler

Author of the Home Study Companion teaching materials

Allow me to introduce myself. I am David Chandler, author of the Home Study Companion series. I love to teach mathematics! Education: I have a BS from Harvey Mudd College (independent major combining physics and engineering), an MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University, and an MS in Mathematics from Cal Poly University. Teaching Experience: I have taught physics, mathematics, astronomy, and computer programming in public, private, international, and charter schools and community colleges since the early 1970's. I currently teach at Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center, a K-12 charter school that works with homeschooling families. Working with homeschoolers has led me to see the need for supplementary materials of this kind.

One of my more interesting projects at my current school is designing a mixed grade level course called "Math Explorations" (for 2nd grade through Jr. high). Math Explorations involves "precursor activities" that don't necessarily look like mathematics. We do puzzles, mazes, perspective drawing, distorted photographs, and a lot of other fun and fascinating stuff. It's not about math skills, per se. It's about how the brain is wired! This is the kind of thing I can do at a charter school working with homeschoolers that I couldn't possibly get away with in a standard public school.

I have also put mathematics to work outside the classroom, including working as a programmer, designer, and consultant. I really do use math on a daily basis outside the classroom! Mathematics is a wonderful tool that enhances both creativity and fundamental understanding of the world.