Mrs. Cindy Rinehart, a dedicated math teacher, has been apart of the Tallwood family since the school’s opening in 1992. She became a math teacher because of her love for math and desire to work with people.

Roaring Gazette: Where are you from?

Cindy Rinehart: I am a military “brat” so I can’t really say where I’m from.  I went to 9 different schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. My mom is Japanese, from Yokohama, Japan, and my dad was from Bernville, PA.  I have lived in Virginia Beach since 1979.

RG: What do you like to do on your free time?

CR: I watch baseball, mostly the Red So, and post on Red Sox discussion boards. In particular, I like to post about advanced stats in baseball, called sabermetrics.

RG: What classes do you teach? Which do you like the most and why?

CR: Throughout my many years of teaching, I have taught everything from Intro to Algebra to AP Calculus. This year, I am teaching Math Analysis and AP Calculus. 

It’s hard to say which subject I like the most because I like all the courses for different reasons. If I had to choose one course, it would probably be Calculus because the entire course is based on the answers to two questions. The questions are very different, yet related. Every topic in the course is connected, creating a beautiful big picture.

RG: What do you enjoy about teaching math?

CR: I like the logic, thinking, and problem-solving skills that are involved in math, and I like how the topics come together and make so much sense. Learning math is not just about being able to solve math problems; it’s also about becoming a better problem solver in general.

RG: Other than math, what’s your favorite subject?

CR: My favorite subject other than math is Chemistry.  I think one of the reasons I like Chemistry is that it involves a lot of math.

RG: What do you like most about Tallwood and what influence has it had in your life?

CR: What I like most about Tallwood are the people at this school, both staff and students. Tallwood truly is a family. I have met so many fantastic people throughout the years, who have touched me in various ways. Being apart of Tallwood has made me realize how fortunate and blessed I am, and it has taught me a lot about compassion.

RG: What have been some of your greatest challenges as a teacher?

CR: My greatest challenge as a teacher is being able to reach and connect with students who have been turned off to math or turned off to school in general. It is challenging to get some students to see how math is relevant to their lives.

RG: What is your biggest strength and weakness and what motivates you to work hard?

CR: I have a strong desire to complete every task to the best of my ability.  I am somewhat of a perfectionist. My biggest strengths are my flexibility and my patience.  My biggest weakness is that I am an introvert.

RG: What is one life lesson you stand by?

CR: Be kind to one another. We often have no idea of what is going on in another person’s life. One small act of kindness can have a big impact on somebody. Being kind also has a great positive influence on your own life.