ROSANNE FLAMISCH HECKMAN

Math and science had always been my favorite school subjects and I appreciate all of my teachers who helped me in my quest.  One teacher stands out in my mind and that was Mr. Doug Lindenmuth, my 11th grade Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry teacher.  Students either loved him or hated him!  I held him in very high esteem and decided to emulate him.  I wanted to go to Penn State because Mr. Lindenmuth went to Penn State.  I wanted to teach math in high school because ... you can guess the reason.  Well the former did not happen, but the latter did.  My undergraduate degree and my master's degree are in mathematics education.  I student taught at Parkland HS and hung out there for another 35 years.  But my biggest surprise was when I walked into Room 112 at the high school and there he stood - Mr Lindenmuth taught Calculus at PHS.  It took me 5 years to call him by his first name.  Here too, the students either loved him or hated him! 

Teaching was so much fun and I always had my "hero" there if I had any questions.  Time passed and a funny change happened in our relationship.  The department needed a new department chair. Three of us applied, and I became the head of the Math Department.  I was observing Doug's classes and offering him advice.  At first, the situation was a bit awkward, but we had always been friends.  I was the chairperson for the Math Department for 22 years until I retired in 2003, also math team coach, Scholastic Scrimmage coach, and more.  I had a very successful career and I owe much to my 11th grade trig teacher, Mr. Lindenmuth.