Faculty Feature

By Scott VanZuiden

 My name is Scott VanZuiden, but many of my students call me Mr. V for short. I have been in the classroom for three decades. For the first half of my career, I worked with students with learning and behavioral challenges in the K – 12 setting, both in Illinois and Kansas. While living in Kansas, I earned a Master’s in Special Education Supervision.

After returning home to Morrison, I continued to work with students with special learning needs. I always had an interest in math education, so entered an online master’s program earning a master’s in math education from Walden University. Upon an opening at the junior high in Morrison, I made the move to teach math to sixth and seventh graders. About that same time, I started teaching as an adjunct at Sauk.

After completing several years in junior high, I had an opportunity to work for two community colleges as an instructor and coordinator of developmental math, while completing a graduate certificate in math instruction from American College of Education. After a few years as a coordinator, I once again find myself back at Sauk. It is so good to once again be “home.” I have always believed all students can learn math with persistence and support.

I am originally from this area, growing up on a farm along the bluffs of the Mississippi River near Thomson, IL. A great privilege that many do not know about is that I served on a team to select a builder for a pipe organ at St. Paul Lutheran in Davenport, IA. The organ,Opus 33 by Bigelow & Co., has been featured on the public radio program Pipedreams. I also serve as President on theOrgan Media FoundationBoard of Directors. I would love to be able to play the pipe organ, but for now must just enjoy the sounds of Bach and other great composers of the past and present played by other outstanding organists!